Authorities in Tennessee say one person is dead and seven people sustained injuries after a gunman opened fire at a church in Nashville.

Metro Nashville Police Department says the gunman was wounded and was taken to a hospital. No details were available about his condition.

Metropolitan Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said at a news conference that the gunman arrived in the parking lot as services were being let out Sunday at the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ. Aaron says the suspect fatally shot a woman who was walking to her vehicle.

Aaron says the gunman then entered the rear of the church and six people were shot. Aaron says a churchgoer who confronted the gunman was pistol-whipped by the suspect, who then shot himself.

Aaron said the suspect, who was in his mid 20s and was from Rutherford County, was taken to a hospital. Aaron didn't immediately release the suspect's name or condition.

Aaron says witnesses are still being interviewed.

Police began receiving calls about 5.15am (NZT) that multiple shots were fired. Police describe it as a "mass casualty situation".

Joseph Pleasant, a spokesman for the Nashville fire department, confirmed the injured were transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Pleasant did not know the severity of the injuries.