After a decade of work, the exterior of the historic Blue Springs Lutheran Church in Mosheim has been fully restored.
The restoration work, done by Skyline Restoration and funded by grants and local donors, was completed just in time for the Blue Springs Historical Association’s Decoration Day event on Saturday. Crews had been working on the building since March.
The organization’s president, Wilhelmina Williams, said members of the association were excited to have the church’s exterior restoration finally completed.
Wilhelmina Williams
The association received a $75,000 grant through the Tennessee Historical Commission to continue restoration efforts in 2025. The grant’s required match of $7,500, plus additional funding to finish restoring the front steps of the building, was provided through generous donations from the community, Veolia Water, and the Greene County Government.
The Blue Springs Church and Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is designated a Historic Site by the Greene County Heritage Trust. Civil War groups recognize the church site was used as a hospital during the Battle of Blue Springs and a mass grave from the Battle of Blue Springs is located in the church’s cemetery. The current building was constructed in 1893.
Restoration efforts on the historic church building began in September of 2015 and are ongoing.
In the summer of 2024, the church’s steeple was fully restored, and in late 2025 the building’s front steps and porch were repaired. New columns and balustrades were a part of that project.
Now the windows of the building have been replaced and repaired, and new unique corbels to match the originals under the eaves of the structure were installed. The corbels were made at Crockett High School. Rotten board were replaced as well.
To finish off the exterior restoration, the building was given a new shining white coat of paint to match its restored steeple.
Williams said that the bell of the old church was repaired as well during the most recent phase of restoration and once again rings just as it did 100 years ago.
The building is one of the oldest in Mosheim, and serves as a widely known landmark for those entering Greene County from the west.
Two major events are held at the church each year, including Decoration Day in the spring and Old Blue Springs Day in the fall. This Decoration Day, Greene County Historian Tim Massey gave a presentation on the influence of German settlers on Greene County.
Lutheran settlers from Germany first established a church in Mosheim in 1809 according to Williams. It served settlers who established Mosheim College, which gave the town its name. She noted that it was fitting that a craftsmen that worked on the restoration through skyline had German heritage.
Two award-winning books detailing the history of the church and community by Carolyn Gregg can be found at the Mosheim Library and Mosheim Town Hall.
Williams said that the association would like the building to play a role in the America 250 celebrations being held this year across the nation as the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is marked.
She noted that the association has heard many compliments on their efforts from the community, and she hopes the community continues to take ownership of the historic structure.
Wilhelmina Williams
Now that the exterior of the building has been fully restored, the association will look to begin making improvements inside the structure.
When the structure’s foundation was leveled several years ago, the shifting of the building created several cracks and gaps in the plaster inside the historic church. The next major project for the association is to repair and restore the interior walls of the building.
The association continues to apply for grants and seek donations to further its restoration efforts.
The association is now selling T-shirts as well, with sales going to benefit the ongoing restoration and upkeep of the church. The shirts bear a picture of the church as well as the American flag and Tennessee tri-star.
Williams said that support from the community is greatly appreciated.
Donations may be mailed to Blue Springs Historical Association, Inc., 330 Elmwood Road, Midway, TN 37809.
Blue Springs Historical Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible under IRS guidelines.
Those seeking more information about the historic church, fundraising efforts, or wishing to purchase a T-shirt can reach Williams by phone at 423-612-2468.
