Historic church earns reprieve

Fern Whitesell Greenbank
Posted 1/29/20

Finally, the historic church on the corner of Third Avenue and Water Street in Lewisburg appears to be on the verge of getting long overdue love and recognition. In July 2019, the Water Street church was purchased by Linda Mefford of Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. Mefford started on the rescue project right away. A chain link fence was erected, a dumpster was delivered and blue tarps were placed over the roof. All the activity caused passersby to wonder if this time something was actually going to happen...

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Historic church earns reprieve

Posted

Finally, the historic church on the corner of Third Avenue and Water Street in Lewisburg appears to be on the verge of getting long overdue love and recognition.

In July 2019, the Water Street church was purchased by Linda Mefford of Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. Mefford started on the rescue project right away. A chain link fence was erected, a dumpster was delivered and blue tarps were placed over the roof. All the activity caused passersby to wonder if this time something was actually going to happen.

The church was built in 1910 by the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., then purchased by the Water Street Church of Christ in 1939. It was then sold in 1967 to a private party. For a brief period a gift shop was located in the basement but for the most part, it has been unused for decades. It was purchased again in 2007 and sat empty since that time.

Time and the elements have taken a toll on the church, but Mefford says she instantly saw its potential. She says she is unfazed by the magnitude of the project.

“My husband was playing around on the Internet looking for old buildings because he knows how much I love them,” said Mefford. “He ran across the church and I was instantly attracted to the idea of restoring it.”

Mefford took a look at the church, had it assessed and decided to dive head first into purchasing and renovating the historic building.

Prior to sale of the church, the historic preservationist at the South Central Development Agency, Sarah McLeod, had already started the process of applying for historic status. Her efforts were successful and the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in November, 2019. The designation just made Mefford all the more sure she had made a good decision.

Mefford says she is committed to whatever it takes to make sure the church project is completed. She has no idea how long it will take, but she’s happy as long as things are constantly moving forward.

Mefford has hired well known contractor Nick Shriver who has worked for Habitat for Humanity and HGTV projects.

“When I walked through the church, I just instantly felt this great historic vibe,” said Mefford. “Sure, there is plaster falling and floors rotting, but it’s still a gorgeous building.”

Mefford says there is a lot of original aspects to the building that can be salvaged like beautiful folding doors with brass fixtures and stain glassed windows that she is determined to save.

She also said there may be truth to the rumor that the town’s well was located in the basement as there appears to be a capped well down there.

“Right now, we have to focus on just making the building safe,” said Mefford. “This is Phase One. Phase Two will be restoring the building as much as possible.”

The new owner said right now this is a “rescue” and preservation project because she’s not sure if it can be restored to its original time period.

Mefford’s current plan leans toward creating a wedding and music venue. She says the acoustics in the church are perfect for music and the historic pews are situated like an ampitheatre.

According to the application submitted for designation as an historic place, the church is considered a perfect example of late Gothic revival style architecture complete with bell tower, Gothic arch openings, a steep pitched roof and stained glass windows, some of which have been broken or destroyed by time and neglect.

Mefford said she knows there can be skepticism when an outsider owner comes to town and gets their hands on property that has so much sentimental and historic value, and she’s willing to patiently prove to the community that she has deep respect for the role the church has played here.

Mefford and her husband, Mike, relocated to Tennessee about four years ago from Northern California. She says they came for a short six day stay to visit her husband’s cousin and they were determined to move here at the end of that visit.

“I remember sitting at Puckett’s in Columbia and my husband got to talking to the waitress,” recalls Mefford. “He told her that he really wanted to relocate here and the waitress replied, ‘All of God’s children are welcome here.’”

She says the people of Tennessee have made it easy to acclimate to a new place much different than California. She says everyone in Lewisburg, from Mayor Bingham to the county zoning office, have been kind and helpful and have made her feel welcomed and encouraged. Mefford works a a registered nurse at Maury Regional Hospital where she says she has also met passionate and kind people.

Mefford is not the only one in the family with a passion for restoration. Her husband, Mike, has partnered with Mike Wolfe from American Pickers to rehab an old building off the Columbia square where he will restore vintage cars.

After 110 years, it is somewhat miraculous that the Water Street Abbey is still standing. It has seen better days, but its new owner says she thinks the building is worth the cost and effort.

“I’ll be putting in a lot of sweat equity and elbow grease in the days to come,” said Mefford. “It’s easy to commit to the project because I feel connected at a deep level to the building and the community.”