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| | | The congregation of Holy Cross ("Evangelishe Lutherische Kreuz Kirche") holds the distinction of holding Divine Service in the oldest church building in Ste. Genevieve. Lutheranism is the second oldest Christian faith to have been established in Ste. Genevieve, the Roman Catholic faith being the first. |
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| The congregation was founded on May 11,1867, just after the Civil War, by a small group of German Lutherans living in and around Ste. Genevieve. Among the founders of the congregation are the names of many pioneer German-American citizens who settled in Ste. Genevieve County: George Bauer, Christian Baum, John Baumgartner, Christian Eberhard, Henry Grobe, Charles Herter, Henry Lueke, Henry Schaefer and Joe Sexauer. For the first two years this group of pioneers attended services in a building on Main St. that was owned by August Wilder. |
| In 1867 the congregation was served by the Reverend Frederick C. Besel of Peace Lutheran Church, Freidenburg. During his pastorate, the brick church, pictured above was erected,with the cornerstone being laid October 21, 1867 and is still in use today. While construction costs of $3,500.00 seems insignificant to us today, this was no small undertaking for this tiny group of Germans. In fact, Roman Catholic friends and neighbors stepped forward to give financial help. On July 18, 1869 Holy Cross received it's first resident pastor, the Rev. Otto F. Voight. He immediately opened a German Lutheran school to serve the community and conducted classes within the church sanctuary. The old teacher’s desk remains in the narthex and is still in use. Up to the opening of the Lutheran school, children of the congregation attended the Roman Catholic school. |
| Upon entering the sanctuary, a visitor cannot help but note the large and distinctive altar and pulpit. Each are the handiwork of Italian craftsmen, dating to the early 18th century. This altar is of a late installation here, 1950, replacing the original smaller German style. This typically consisted of the pulpit built above the altar with a steep stairway leading up to it. The original altar was redesigned and revised several times and finally gave way to the present Gothic, more artistically rich altar. Perhaps being of Italian origin explains why the altar is not at all typical of Midwestern Lutheran altars, many of which have similar architectural styling with a single statue of Christ arms outstretched, inviting all to come to Him.The history of this altar dates back more than two centuries. We are told that it was hand-carved by Italian craftsmen and then imported to this country by sailing ship. The original location of its installation remains uncertain. Some records suggest that it was used in New Orleans in a Roman Catholic church. Others speak of a Lutheran church in Texas. Recent historical records indicate that during the latter quarter of the 19th Century, it was in Old Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Louis. In 1923 it was sold to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chester, Illinois, for $250. In the 1940's the altar was replaced and stored in a barn until 1950 when it was given to the little congregation in Ste. Genevieve. One’s mind drifts back through time and wonders about the great multitude of the faithful that have, at one time or another, come before this altar for Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Weddings and Funerals. The statue of our Living Lord presided over them all in love and blessing. One cannot help note the serious urgency of the Four Evangelists of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as they bring the life giving Gospel message of Christ Jesus our only Savior and King, to this lost and dying world. Below each of the Evangelist are four relief carvings of the “four living creatures” from Revelation 4:7, leading the hosts of heaven singing “The Great Te Deum Laudamus,” the Great Hymn of Praise. The church on earth, even in suffering, also sings this hymn - triumphantly so in faith. And especially the bride of Christ, in heavenly triumph, sings and will continue to sing it. | 
The Altar and Chancel of Holy Cross decorated for The Feast of the Resurrection |
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Pulpit of Holy Cross showing the carvings of the Four Major Prophets and Jesus | The central statue depicts Christ as Lord of the universe with the whole world in His hands. He stands always ready to bless us. The figures on the pulpit depict the four Major Prophets of the Old Testament; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. The center head is that of Christ, the heart of Lutheran preaching and life. The Pulpit book rest is upheld by a winged angel’s head, reminding us of the angel in the book of Revelation, “Flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth.”From humble beginnings to the present, the congregation of Holy Cross remains a people richly blessed by the Lord, rejoicing in His grace and mercy, and looking forward to His final return. We look forward to meeting you. Please come and join our congregational family, as our Lord God blesses us through His Holy Word and Sacraments. Soli Deo Gloria!
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