Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Cassville, Missouri) Records

In 1967, a small group of Lutherans had the idea to establish a Lutheran church in Cassville. Saint John, Monett and Stones Prairie, Purdy suggested a trial idea of holding early Sunday worship services at Hall’s Drive-In Theatre. After two years, plans were made to start organizing Holy Cross in 1969. Initial services were held at Culver’s Funeral Home, the Seventh Day Adventists’ building, and the Methodist church. With the help of Earl Hagebusch, who had taken some classes to become a lay minister, the City of Cassville was asked if services could be held at City Hall, free of charge, and that request was granted. The First Christian Church building was purchased with a loan from First National Bank. The constitution of the congregation was approved by the Missouri Synod and signed on April 26, 1970. The Dedication Service was held on January 31, 1971. A dual parish agreement was entered into with Peace Lutheran Church (Shell Knob, Missouri) in October, 2003. In June, 2008, the agreement was amended to split the costs to 75% for Peace, and 25% for Holy Cross. A vote was approved on February 10, 2020 to disband Holy Cross. The current memberships will be transferred to Peace (Shell Knob), Saint John (Stones Prairie), and Saint John (Monett).