Church History

HISTORY
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, a congregation of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (L.C.M.S.), began in the Spring of 1934 when The Reverend E.F.J. Richter, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Shobonier, Illinois gathered together 7 Lutherans for a worship service. The service was held on the third floor of the Fehren (now the Greer) building in downtown Vandalia. Formal organization of the congregation took place at 2:00 p.m. on February 3, 1935 as six individuals signed the first constitution of Holy Cross. Charter members of this fledgling congregation were: Edward Buske, Harry Blom, Oscar Blom, Emil Richter, George Gerkin and Adolph Luehr.
In November of 1935 the congregation approached the Central Illinois District (C.I.D.) Of the L.C.M.S. about the possibility of assigning a vicar (student intern) to the Vandalia area. This was approved by the Mission Board of the C.I.D. and Vicar Luther Poellot was assigned to canvass the town during the spring and summer of 1936. Following the completion of this survey, Vicar Poellot returned to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis for his final year. The Mission Board of the C.I.D. then appointed Candidate Alvin C. Meier to serve Holy Cross as well as Jehovah Lutheran Church at Vera, Illinois. Eventually these two congregations merged and became known as the Van-Ver parish.
In September of 1936 services were moved from the Fehren building to the Little Bakery Building at 522 West Randolph. Services continued to be held at that location until July of 1941. By that time Holy Cross Congregation had grown until the Little Bakery Building could not accommodate all the worshipers.
On March 16, 1941 ground was broken for a new church. The Little White Church, located at 726 West Fillmore Street, seated 140 worshipers. Dedicated on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, this building would serve Holy Cross congregation for the next 23 years. In 1968 the Little White Church was sold and is today part of the Vandalia Terrace Nursing Home, located on the corner of Van-Tran and Route 185.
The present worship facility, also located at 726 West Fillmore in Vandalia, Illinois, was built and dedicated in two stages. The present Parish Hall and Educational Wing was built (1962), before the Little White Church was sold. From 1962 to 1968, Holy Cross Congregation worshiped in the Parish Hall. The cornerstone laying and dedication of the present worship facility too place on July 13, 1969. A new twelve rank pipe organ, built by the Wicks Company of Highland, Illinois was installed and dedicated in 1985. The church building itself underwent a major renovation in 1995-96. Art Glass windows, dedicated to the glory of God and in memory of one of our members, were installed in the chancel area of the church. The concrete block walls were plastered, new lighting and carpeting installed, new oil candles placed in the sanctuary and the heating/air conditioning improved.
Under the blessing hand of God, Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Vandalia, Illinois has grown from 7 worshipers in 1935 to more than 500 in 1998. During her 64 year history she has been served by seven pastors, twelve vicars, 2 Director of Christian Education (D.C.E.) interns, 1 full-time D.C.E. and 1 Pre-school teacher.
They are:
Vicar Luther Poellot–3/4/36 to 8/26/36
The Reverend Alvin C. Meier–1936 to 1946
The Reverend W.H. Wetzstein–1946 to 1957
The Reverend H.A. Allwardt–1958 to 1962
The Reverend A.J. Goldberger–1962 to 1968
The Reverend David W. Ebs–1969 to 1978
D.C.E. Intern Carol Bauer–1978 to 1979
The Reverend James E. Schroeder–1979 to 1981
D.C.E. Intern Monte Bell–1980 to 1981
The Reverend Lawrence W. Saeger–1982 to 2005
D.C.E. Linda Kirchner–1983 to 1986
Pre-School Teacher Karen Benning–1983 to 1986
Vicar Perry Bauer–1989 to 1990
Vicar Mark Griesse–1990 to 1991
Vicar Jon Conroe–1991 to 1992
Vicar Scott Tessin–1992 to 1993
Vicar Timothy Newman–1993 to 1994
Vicar Timothy Schiller–1994 to 1995
Vicar Michael Kloepping–1995 to 1996
Vicar Greg Knippa–1996 to 1997
Vicar Steve Riordan–1997 to 1998
Vicar Jerry Panzigrau–1998 to 1999
Vicar Jeffrey Nelson–1999 to 2000

The Reverend Peter C. Kolb 2006 to present