Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Atwater, California)

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. In February 2008, Atwater mayor Joan Faul commented on Holy Cross's impact on the city of Atwater: "This church has been a real cornerstone of our community."Citation|last=Barela|first=Beverly|title=Holy Cross Lutheran Church Holds Groundbreaking To Kick Off Remodeling Project|newspaper=Atwater Times|date=February 28, 2008]

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.Citation|title=Lift High the Cross: A Brief History Of Holy Cross Lutheran Church|newspaper=Open House Newspaper|date=November 4, 1984] On August 1, the organization officially became a congregation due to its 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. The church celebrated its 25th anniversary on April 21, 1985, and at the time, the congregation included three hundred baptized members.Citation|title=Religion Today: Holy Cross Lutheran is 25 years old|newspaper=Merced Sun-Star|date=April 21, 1985] The church has been used as a polling place for local and national elections.Citation|last=Collins|first=Chris|title=Voters re-elect Nelson to board by easy margin|newspaper=Merced Sun-Star|date=June 7, 2006|url=http://www.mercedsunstar.com/man/spencer/SPENCER_060607.htm]

Church building

On April 13 1958 the congregation purchased convert|1.2|acre|m2 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 1964 a social and recreation hall, kitchen, an additional eight 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 was proposed, and construction on the building began in February 2008.

Religious leaders

Holy Cross Lutheran Church has had a total of seven 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 Pastor Tim Francisco.cite web | title=MercedSunStar.com | work=New pastor installed at Holy Cross Lutheran in Atwater | url=http://www.mercedsunstar.com/life/story/13259328p-13892771c.html | accessdate=August 27 | accessyear=2007]

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."

Members

The church congregation initially began with 60 charter members, six of whom are still members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church today. The church had multiple members that were from the local Castle Air Force Base, prior to the base's closure in 1995. As of 2006, the congregation totaled over 200 members. In 1966, a church choir was organized, performing their first Christmas cantata in 1969 and holds a performance each Christmas Eve.

Footnotes

External links

* [https://home.pacbell.net/dnorther/HolyCross Official site]
* [http://www.lcms.org/locators/nchurches/c_detail.asp?C40827 LCMS congregation profile]