|
 |
Holy Cross Lutheran Church began as a mission of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church of Detroit, which was located at West Chicago and Stoepel. Hope, which was one of the largest Lutheran Churches in Michigan, noted that a number of their members were leaving the city of Detroit and moving west to the suburbs. So, without help from the Synod, Hope Church bought ten acres in Livonia and built what is now the chapel of Holy Cross Church. On June 8, 1958, they dedicated this first unit and called the church Hope Lutheran Extension. Hope's three pastors took turns serving the Livonia branch. In 2008 we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Hope Extension in Livonia. Hope then decided to make the extension an independent congregation. On February 25, l963, the extension held an organizational meeting and on April 25, 1963, one of Hope's pastors, the Rev. William G. Moldwin, was called as pastor of the new congregation. The new congregation was legally named Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church of Livonia, and it was officially organized with 486 charter members on May 5, 1963. Thus, in 1998 we celebrated our 35th Anniversary although the building had been here for 40 years. In the beginning, Holy Cross Church consisted of the present chapel, which seated about l60 people on folding chairs, and the kitchen/social room toward the west. The congregation grew and the need for more space became evident. On March 2, 1965, the congregation approved a building program. In October of l965, a fund campaign for the main sanctuary and church school area was held. The cornerstone of the new sanctuary was laid November 20, 1966 and the Dedication was held on October 8, l967. The beautiful new church was graced with a new pipe organ, which was the donation of a member of the congregation, and with dossal curtain and paraments that were designed and woven by an artist from the Cranbrook Institute of Art. In 1978, the congregation undertook another building program and built the Fellowship Hall, new church offices, a library-lounge and extended the narthex. At that time, the congregation had grown to over 1000 confirmed members and 1300 baptized members. Pastor William Moldwin served the congregation until August 24, 1969 when he accepted a call to an inner-city Mission, St. Philip Workers in Detroit. Pastor William Lindholm served as our dedicated Pastor for 32 years, retiring in August of 2002. Rev. Garnet A. Haase served as the interim Pastor of Holy Cross for almost two years. Assistant pastors were Rev. K. James Miller 1968-1970 and Rev. Barbara Splittgerber 1985-1990. Deaconesses Diane Remer, Marlene Hedrick, Kathy Berrill and Sue Bergeson have also served at Holy Cross. Julie Chiavazza - Freno served as Christian Education and Youth Director from l990 until 2007. Rickey Amstutz served as our Cross Connections Coordinator and was instrumental in establishing our Kids Hope USA Program with Coolidge School from 2007 to 2010. Cathy Vickers currently is our Kid's Hope co-ordinator. On October 15, 2004, Rev. Dana Runestad began her ministry as Senior Pastor at Holy Cross and was installed November 21, 2004. Pastor Scott McKinney joined us for 2005-2007 as a part time Resource Pastor, assisting in the ministry and in adult education. Rebecca Couser was part-time Youth Minister for Jr. & Sr. High, 2009-2011. Joining us in 2008, Dr. Michael Burkhardt is our Director of Worship and Fine Arts. We look to the future when Pastor Benjamin Morris joins us September 1, 2011 as Associate Pastor of Youth, Culture and Mission. Welcome Pastor Ben and his wife, Jenni. Holy Cross Church asks for your continued prayers that God will guide and direct them on their journey into the future. Join us in discovering what God is doing in the world and join us in becoming a part of it. All visitors are welcome to join in Sunday worship services at 8 and 10 o'clock. See our calendar or schedule for complete details.
Back to home page. |
