A Brief History of Holy Cross Lutheran Church

The roots of Holy Cross Lutheran Church reach back to 1903, when Pastor Reinhold Zwintscher began holding worship services in the homes of Elmwood residents. These early gatherings formed the heart of a growing faith community. On March 3, 1904, Holy Cross congregation was officially organized, and in April of that same year, Pastor Karl Plunz became the first full‑time pastor.

As the congregation grew, so did the desire for a dedicated place of worship. In 1905, members built a small church on the southwest corner of Eaton and Herbert, with a joyful dedication service held that July. By 1910, the congregation had outgrown this first building and decided to construct a larger church at the corner of McCalman Avenue and Grey Street. The new church was dedicated on February 19, 1911, marking a significant milestone in the life of Holy Cross.

Recognizing the importance of Christian education, the congregation voted on December 7, 1913, to build a parochial school to support the children of Holy Cross. The school served the community faithfully until its closure in 1947.

As decades passed, the congregation continued to evolve. In 1973, the original church building was taken down to make way for a new, modern structure. The new church was completed and dedicated on July 7, 1974, ushering in a renewed era of ministry and community presence.

In 2004, Holy Cross joyfully celebrated its 100th anniversary, giving thanks for a century of worship, service, and God’s enduring faithfulness.

Today, Holy Cross Lutheran Church continues to gather for worship, Sunday School, and community ministry—always remembering the past and honouring the many faithful members, pastors, and volunteers who helped build and sustain this congregation through the generations.