1956
A survey conducted by the Department of Home Missions of the
Evangelical Lutheran in America verified the need for an ELCA
congregation in this area. |
1959
Construction
of
the
first unit (presently our Chapel Hall) and the parsonage was
completed with financial assistance from the Department of Home
Missions and two congregational sponsors--First English Lutheran Church
of Fergus Falls and Bethlehem Lutheran Church of St. Cloud--in addition
to several loans from individuals and area churches. Rev R. C.
Reinholtzen was called as the first pastor, and the first worship
services were held on May 19, 1959, with 162 in attendance. Charter
members totaled 92 baptized.
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1964
Pastor Floyd Anderson was installed following Pastor
Reinholtzen's retirement, and the congregation started to grow.
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1970
Pastor Kenneth W. Kramer began his ministry, and the
first addition to the church was completed on the north side of the
original structure. Members donated much of the labor.
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1974
Pastor Leonard Anderson was installed. The church
constitution was revised, and a Council of Ministers was established.
Continued growth made enlarging the church a necessity. After much
planning and fund-raising, construction was begun in the fall of 1975.
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1976
New Sunday School rooms were dedicated in May with
crowds of members and well-wishers at both services.
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1978-80
Summer interns joined our staff to assist in
ministering to a larger congregation. Mark Opgrand, Dave Braaten, Tom
Eiden and Sue Miller shared their time and talents with us during these
summers.
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1981
We authorized adding a second full-time person to our
staff, and in July Deaconess Brenda Neitzke accepted our call.
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1985
The "Room to Grow" campaign was begun to provide more
worship space, a lounge, and more Sunday School space. We bade farewell
to Brenda following her marriage. The congregation applied for a
seminary intern. Paul and Becky Christianson were assigned to our
parish.
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1986
An enlarged and renovated church was dedicated in July.
We said goodbye to Paul and Becky and welcomed our new intern, Dennis
Anderson, who was a real blessing to our congregation. A committee was
formed to study staffing needs.
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1987
Church of the Cross passed the 1000-member milestone,
continuing to show steady growth. We welcomed a second pastor, John
Hanson, and his family. We became a part of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America.
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1988
A year of transition. We said farewell and a big thank
you to Pastor Len Anderson for 14 years of service. We said hello to
John Fanning, who served as Interim Pastor until the installation of
our new Senior Pastor, Rev. Kurt Wied, in September.
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1989
We celebrated our 30th anniversary with a
congregational potluck. The arrival of Samuel and David Berhanu from
Ethopia was an exciting challenge for our congregation.
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1990
A long-range planning committee was formed to look at
our needs for the future.
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1991
A debt-reduction mortgage program was established.
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1992
Our ELCA congregation constitution was revised by the
church council and approved by the membership of Lutheran Church of the
Cross.
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1994
The new bell tower was dedicated in July. Our youth
attended the National Youth Gathering in Atlanta. We installed stained
glass windows created by Bert Caswell on the east side of the sanctuary.
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1995
We installed stained glass windows created by Bert
Caswell on the west side of the sanctuary. Jean Kraft was installed as
Director of Christian Education. Pastor John Hanson accepted a call to
Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Duluth. Our new Allen AP-9 organ was
installed.
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1996
We installed Peggy Seaman as Parish Nurse and, in
March, Pastor Mick Scott as Associate Pastor. In May, we broke ground
for the Crossroads Retirement Community, a housing development for age
55 and over. Pastor Kurt Wied celebrated 25 years of ministry in June.
Phase II of our organ fund drive was completed and two more ranks of
pipes installed.
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1997
A Facility Needs Committeee determined that we needed
more space, and we acquired the neighboring Tasker property. Our youth
attended the "River Of Hope" National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.
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1998
Lutheran Laity Movement led us in a campaign to raise
funds for a major building addition. Nor-Son Construction was chosen as
the builder. "Buiilding On God's Promises" was our theme. Ground was
broken on June 28th.
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1999
July 11th we celebrated our 40th anniversary, dedicated
our new addition, and installed Rev. Christian Meier as Associate
Pastor. In September, Stacy Johnson began her work among us as
full-time Director of Youth and Family Ministries.
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2000
Fifteen youth from Church of the Cross attended the
National Youth Gathering in St. Louis in June.
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2001
Our new Celebration Center has been such a blessing,
not only for us but for the entire community.
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2002
Carol Nagy was installed as Director of Children's
Ministry after we said goodbye to Jean Kraft, who served here for seven
years. LCC begins broadcasting its services on cable TV.
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2003
Our Endowment Fund, which was established in 1993, was
reconstituted. Sixteen Sr. High youth attended the National Youth
Gathering in Atlanta.
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2004
Pastor Kurt Wied left Church of the Cross in October
and was followed for a year by Rev. Warren Schulz as Interim Pastor.
Joanne Forrest joined us as Director of Children's Ministry.
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2005
By late summer, our Memorial Garden was finished and
the first inurnments were held at its columbarium. On December 1st,
Rev. Joan Gunderman joined our staff as Senior Pastor.
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2006
In May, Sally Hodgson retired after serving 25
years as Office Manager. Mike Smith retired after 20 years as Senior
Choir director, followed by Sarah Aamot-Lundin.
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2007
In October Rev. Chris Meier accepted a call to
Nebrasksa. Rachel Flogstad-Heise joined us as Temporary Pastoral
Assistant. We joined the
Interfaith Hospitality Network and adopted the ELW hymnbook.
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2008
On September 21, Rev. Bruce Hannem was installed as
Associate Pastor. Joy Walter is Office Manager.
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2009
On May 16/17 we observed our 50th anniversary. Saturday
worship services began May 30.
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2010
After several months on medical leave, Pastor Joan left
our staff and in July, Rev. Glenn Taibl joined us as Interim Senior
Pastor. |
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