Lutheran Church of
the Cross 1976 - 1994
June 22, 1977, was the official opening of Arms of The Cross.
1978, Pastor and Mrs. W. K. Raths celebrated 30 years of ministry at Church of the Cross. The New Lutheran Book of Worship was introduced.
1979 Pastor W. K. Raths retired. The eleventh pastor was installed. The Rev. Gerhard Preibisch.
1980 the twelfth assistant pastor was installed, the Rev. Clarence Mitchler. The 75th Anniversary celebrations were celebrated throughout the year.
1982 a piano for the Sanctuary was purchased by the Tabea Frauen Verein.
1984 the first woman elected President of the congregation was Ms. Lydia Freier. Rev. George Gehrke Scholarship Fund was established for Luther College. The congregation announced the death of the last surviving charter member, Mrs. Christina Rast.
1987 the thirteenth pastor was called, The Rev. James Alger. Congregation approved purchase of a new Rogers Pipe Organ.
May 15, 1988 was dedication of new Pipe Organ. Recitals were conducted by world-renowned organists. Dr. Keith Chapman and Mr. Barry Anderson. Pastor Mitcheler accepted a call to Emerson, Redgeville Lutheran Church. Also in May 1988, a Worship Committee was started and their tasks were to prepare worship leaflets, conduct processions and special liturgies for Pentecost, Reformation and Advent, suggest hymns and provide short survey on worship.
1989 the Church Council granted mandate to organize Historical Committee. Pastor Preibisch accepted a call to Chilliwack, B.C. The fourteenth pastor was installed, the Rev. Guenther Kern.
1990 seminary student Lisa Ahlness was engaged for one-year internship.
In March 1993, Pastor Kern left. In June, Pastors Lothar and Hanna Schwabe became Interim pastors. From July to August, Pastor Val Hennig became Interim Pastor. From September to December Pastors Schwabe served the congregation".
1994 call process for a new pastor was in action.
