Just east of Mount Horeb, two steeples rise over the rolling farmland of southern Wisconsin: one atop a hill at Springdale Lutheran Church on Town Hall Road, the other over West Blue Mounds Lutheran Church a few miles west in the village of Blue Mounds. Together they form Two Steeples Parish, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation that worships, serves and grows as a single church family across both locations. Pastor Jim Ranney describes the parish as a community actively involved in worship, hospitality, learning and service, called to be the "Body of Christ" in this corner of Dane County.
Two Campuses, One Worshiping Community
Two Steeples Parish operates as one congregation with two worshiping campuses. The Springdale sanctuary sits on a hilltop east of Mount Horeb and is known for its stained glass windows, warm interior and scenic views. West Blue Mounds Lutheran, in the heart of the small village of Blue Mounds, offers a more intimate historic setting with a strong community spirit.
Members and visitors are welcome at either campus. The parish shares one pastor, one church council (called the Joint Council) and a joint calendar of ministries, fellowship events and outreach. The result is a congregation that feels at once rooted in two small-town congregations and unified in a common mission.
Sunday Worship That Rotates Between the Steeples
Worship takes place at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings, alternating between the two campuses:
- Springdale Lutheran Church hosts worship on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month.
- West Blue Mounds Lutheran Church hosts worship on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.
Each service is centered on God's Word, prayer, music and Holy Communion. A mix of traditional hymns and contemporary songs fills the sanctuary, Scripture is read and proclaimed, and a sermon is preached that the parish describes as "rooted in God's truth." Holy Communion is offered at every service, and all baptized Christians are welcome to partake. There is a brief welcome time for greeting one another, but participation is never required.
After worship at Springdale, the congregation gathers downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for beverages, treats and conversation. All are welcome to stay.
What to Expect as a First-Time Visitor
Visitors are invited to "come as you are." Jeans, sneakers and business casual all fit comfortably among the regulars. Both sanctuaries are wheelchair accessible, with ramps and accessible restrooms. At Springdale, a lift is available to reach the Fellowship Hall, and modern projection and sound systems make it easy to follow along, even from the balcony.
Parish office hours run Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pastor Jim is typically available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The main phone line is (608) 437-3493, and the mailing address is 2752 Town Hall Rd, Mount Horeb, WI 53572. Giving is available online through a secure portal.
A Heritage Rooted in the 1850s
The two congregations that make up the parish trace their beginnings to the Norwegian Lutheran farmers who settled the Springdale and Blue Mounds areas in the mid-1800s.
The first known worship service in the Springdale area took place in 1850, when Norwegian settlers gathered on a nearby farmstead. The congregation was formally organized as Springdale Lutheran Church in 1852, and members completed their original church building in 1861. Renowned Norwegian immigrant Aslak Lee designed the church's distinctive steeple in 1877. The current Springdale sanctuary was built in 1895, preserving the original steeple, bell and spire ornament, and twelve stained glass windows were added in 1928 to enrich the worship space.
Across the hills to the west, local worshipers began gathering for prayer at the Brigham School House in Blue Mounds in 1872. The West Blue Mounds church was built by Martin Saustebo and dedicated in the spring of 1882. A new steeple and front entrance followed in 1892, complete with an 800-pound brass bell that still rings out today. The congregation marked a cultural milestone in 1919 when meeting minutes began to be recorded in English rather than Norwegian.
In 1996, Springdale transitioned from shared pastoral leadership with another local Lutheran church to an independent congregation. Today both churches have updated facilities with accessible restrooms, classrooms, offices, projection and sound systems, and gathering spaces for ministry and fellowship, while continuing to serve side by side as Two Steeples Parish.
A Pastor Who Grew Up in the Hills
Pastor Jim Ranney was ordained in May 2025 after graduating from Wartburg Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master's Degree in Theology and Youth and Family Ministry. He has served the parish since January 2021 and previously led its Youth and Family Ministry before stepping into the pastorate.
A lifelong local, Jim grew up on a farm near Blue Mounds and attended Barneveld High School. He and his wife are raising two sons, and the family enjoys camping, music and sports. His call to Two Steeples Parish is more than professional: it is a return to the community that shaped him, with the people he grew up among.
What the Parish Believes
Two Steeples Parish summarizes its beliefs plainly:
- One God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, who died for sins, rose on the third day and offers eternal life.
- The Bible as the true and inspired Word of God and the foundation for faith and life.
- The reality of Heaven and Hell.
The parish belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a denomination it describes as "rooted in Scripture, guided by grace, and committed to loving and serving others," and teaches that salvation is by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Serving the Community: Quilts, Meals and a Blessing Box
Two Steeples Parish takes seriously its call to be the body of Christ beyond the sanctuary walls. Several ongoing ministries put faith into practice locally:
- Quilts for Foster Children. A quilting team creates handmade quilts for local foster children, offering comfort and a reminder that someone cares.
- Community Meals at the Senior Center. Volunteers prepare, serve and clean up for two dinners each year at the Mount Horeb Senior Center, offering nourishment and fellowship to whoever attends.
- The Blessing Box. Located next to the West Blue Mounds church, this small pantry is stocked with nonperishable food items that anyone in need is welcome to take, no questions asked.
- Gift Baskets. Church Council members and Confirmation students assemble and deliver holiday baskets to seniors, those recovering from illness and anyone who could use a little extra cheer.
- Monthly Meals at West Blue Mounds. From fall through spring, the parish hosts a warm, homemade community meal on the third Thursday of each month, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at West Blue Mounds. Diners can eat in or carry out, and freewill donations are accepted. The meals are prepared by an experienced chef and restaurant manager, with a new menu each month.
- Family Meal Support. When parish families face illness, recovery or grief, members prepare and deliver home-cooked meals as a quiet act of care.
Food, Fellowship and Music Through the Year
Hospitality is woven into the parish calendar at every season.
- The annual Springdale Car Show, held the Saturday before Labor Day weekend, has been a community-powered fundraiser since 2011. Proceeds support Custom Canines Service Dog Academy, which trains service dogs for military veterans, first responders and schools. Cars roll in starting at 8 a.m., trophies are awarded in ten categories, and the day includes live music, a silent auction, door prizes and food. Spectators are admitted free. A fall Car Cruise in mid-October sends drivers on a scenic loop through Cross Plains, Indian Lake and the Hyde Mill area to help fund the following year's show.
- The Celebration of Music each spring showcases vocalists, instrumentalists and ensembles from the parish and the wider community. A brunch at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall precedes a 1 p.m. concert in the Springdale sanctuary.
- The summer Ice Cream Social at Springdale features hot food, homemade pies and plenty of ice cream for an unhurried evening of neighbors and friends.
- The fall Soup and Sandwich Supper at Springdale serves homemade chicken vegetable and potato ham soups, sandwiches, salads, deviled eggs, cheese and a bazaar of baked goods, jellies, canned items and handcrafts. Proceeds support local outreach and ministry. Nonperishable food is also collected to fight local hunger.
Sharing the Buildings: Weddings, Funerals and Community Gatherings
The parish buildings are offered to both members and non-members for life's significant moments.
Springdale's historic sanctuary, with its high painted ceiling, recessed lighting, stained glass windows and handcrafted cushioned pews, seats about 160 guests including the balcony. The downstairs Fellowship Hall accommodates around 100 and works well for receptions or rehearsal dinners. Amenities include changing rooms, restrooms on both levels, a fully equipped kitchen with appliances, glassware, dishes, silverware and serving trays, and a modern sound system with Bluetooth for music playback. A Wedding Coordinator is provided and is on-site during the rehearsal and ceremony. Non-members are welcome with a $500 fee and a nonrefundable $250 deposit; additional fees apply for a pastor, pianist or soloist.
Baptism is offered for infants, children, youth and adults, with faith education available for adults and a brief meeting with the pastor as a first step. Funerals and Celebrations of Life may be held at either campus, with luncheon space and pastoral support available upon request. Meeting space can also be reserved by nonprofit organizations or local clubs, with a church member present to provide access and assistance.
The Springdale and Blue Mounds Cemeteries
The parish cares for two historic cemeteries. Plots in either the Springdale or West Blue Mounds cemetery can be purchased by contacting the parish office. To help visitors locate loved ones, the Springdale cemetery has a permanent directory sign just to the right of the church, with numbered plots and a downloadable directory listing both those buried there and those who have reserved plots in advance.
Rooted in Place, Open to All
Two Steeples Parish is, at heart, two congregations of Norwegian Lutheran farmers who became one ELCA church family. From the original Springdale worship on a farmstead in 1850 and the building of the West Blue Mounds church in 1882, through the addition of stained glass and brass bells, to today's shared pastor and joint calendar, the parish has held to the same simple idea: worship faithfully, serve generously and grow together in the company of neighbors. Visitors and newcomers are welcome at either steeple.