Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Atwater, California)
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Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod located in Atwater, California. It is part of the LCMS' California-Nevada-Hawaii District. Established in 1956, the congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006.
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[edit] Church history
Due to rapid growth in and around the city of Atwater, in 1956 the California and Nevada District of the Missouri Synod sent several parish workers to canvass the Atwater area, organize a Sunday school and Bible class staff, and begin holding worship services. The first worship service was held on July 8, 1956 at the Atwater Women's Clubhouse. On August 1, the organization officially became a congregation, due to extensive membership. The congregation chose the name “Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church” in that same year. The congregation was received into membership with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod in June 1957 and was incorporated with the state of California in December 1957.
[edit] Church building
On April 13, 1958 the congregation purchased 1.2 acres of land surrounded by the Fifth, Sixth, Underwood, and Bellevue streets in Atwater. With the assistance of a church extension loan of $37,000 from the California and Nevada district, a church was built to seat 180 people with room for future expansion. The construction of the church building began with the groundbreaking ceremony on October 18, 1959 and was dedicated at its completion on March 20, 1960 with its 60 charter members. The initial 1960 building for Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church was designed by Thomas and Maggy of Fresno, California and was built by contractor Floyd Miller. The building contained a sanctuary built to hold 180 people and several Sunday school classrooms. In 1965 a social and recreation hall, kitchen, an additional 8 Sunday school classrooms, and a 45-car parking lot were added at a cost of $30,000. In 1988, the church sanctuary was remodeled including a new baptismal font, altar, pulpit, lectern, and carpet. New stained glass windows were installed and dedicated on Easter in 1989. A 2006 comprehensive remodel of several portions of the church building has been proposed and is awaiting necessary funds, although it has been discussed for several decades.
[edit] Religious leaders
Holy Cross Lutheran Church has had a total of 7 religious leaders in its history. The first three pastors led two congregations, Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Livingston, California. In 1969, the congregation purchased a parsonage and called Reverend James Sorenson to lead the congregation full-time. The current religious leader of Holy Cross Lutheran Church is Vicar Tim Francisco.
| Name | Dates of Service |
|---|---|
| Reverend Monroe S. Teachenor | July 1956 – November 1961 |
| Reverend Armin S. Prowatzke | February 1962 – June 1967 |
| Reverend James H. Sorenson | July 1968 – October 1977 |
| Reverend John V. Herrmann | April 1978 – April 1986 |
| Reverend Dann J. Ettner | August 1986 – June 1994 |
| Reverend Robert Rotnem | October 1995 – July 2004 |
| Reverend Tim Francisco | January 2006 – present |
[edit] Mission statement
The mission statement for the church was developed at the same time as the church's constitution was written:
"The mission of Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church is to confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, rejoice in worship and fellowship, grow in the Word, witness to our community, and serve others."
[edit] Members
The church congregation initially began with 60 charter members, six of whom are still members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church today. As of 2006, the congregation totaled over 200 members. In 1966, a church choir was organized, performing their first Christmas cantata in 1969 and currently holds a performance each Christmas Eve.
