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A History of Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Shelbyville, KY
On January 25, 1988, the Federation of
Lutheran Churches of the Louisville area established a mission
development committee. Mr. John Cromeans was chosen as its chairman. At
its regular meeting held May 23, 1988, the Federation passed a
resolution to begin work in the She1byville area. On June 27, 1988, the
Indiana District - LCMS purchased a tract of land at the comer of Highway
53 and Old Seven Mile Pike.
A Bible Study group was begun October 5, 1988 at the Best Western Motel
in Shelbyville. Rev. Robert Brockhoff assumed leadership of the group in
February of 1989. Under his leadership, the first worship service was
held on September 10, 1989 at the Catholic Church of the Annunciation in
Shelbyville. Mr. Rod Shreve was its first president, Kathy Adams,
secretary, and Diane Fraker, treasurer. It was on October 1, 1989, in a
meeting after the Sunday worship, that the group chose the name Holy
Cross Lutheran Church to be its permanent and formal name. Sunday School
and Bible Class were begun on December 3, 1989 in the Education Building
of the Catholic Church.
December 9, 1990 was Charter Sunday. This was the day 19 communicants
and 5 baptized children/youth declared their intention to become Charter
Members. It was on this day that Rev. David Dubbelde, the Indiana
District's Congregational Outreach representative, presented the
congregation with their Charter of Membership into the Lutheran Church -
Missouri Synod.
In 1992, Holy Cross decided to call a full time worker by asking for a
vicar. Henry H. Loppnow was assigned to Holy Cross to serve his vicarage
here in Shelbyville. The congregation had 28 communicant members and 8
baptized at the time. And then, in the spring of 1993, Holy Cross
extended a call to Vicar Loppnow to continue his work here at Holy Cross
and serve them as their pastor. On August 1, 1993, the Rev. Henry H.
Loppnow was ordained and installed as its first full-time pastor. This
took place under a 40' x 60' tent on the church property with 250 people
present.
In 1994, the church received a gift of $80,000 - $6,000 to be used for
the operating fund and $74,000 to be placed into a building fund. On
Mothers' Day of 1995, Holy Cross contracted with Harbour, Incorporated
of Lexington, Kentucky to draw up plans for their own church home. That
evening a telephone call was received from Calvary Lutheran Church,
Indiana notifying Holy Cross that they were closing and that the monies
from the sale of their building would be given to Holy Cross. These
monies amounted to $207,000.
On November 24, 1996, Holy Cross held its Ground Breaking Service for
its church building. After having received a full page of coverage in
the local newspaper, another gift of$125,000 was given by someone here
in Shelbyville, someone who had a Lutheran background as a child.
On May 1, 1997, the Laborers for Christ arrived to begin construction.
The Laborers were Herb and Charlotte Traub, Georgetown, Indiana,
foreman; John and Annetta Dellinger, Plain City, Ohio; Melvin and Betty
Drath, Houston, Texas; Robert and Mariemma Nelson, Sequim Washington;
Ken and Bea Smith, Independence, Kentucky; and Mike and Thelma McGee,
Shelbyville, Kentucky (also members of Holy Cross).
On November 16, 1997, the members of Holy Cross dedicated their newly
constructed building to the Glory of God. Because of the financial gifts
received, it was debt free. It has an area of 5978 sq. ft. Its
membership was 65 communicant members and 29 baptized members.
In January of 2004, Rev. Loppnow announced that he would be retiring as
of August 31. His last message as pastor of Holy Cross would be preached
on August 8,2004. The membership of the church as of April 2004, is 144
communicants and 44 baptized members for a total of 188 members.
Since 1993, Holy Cross has had a Vacation Bible School. In the
beginning, VBS was always held at Shelbyville's Clear Creek Park. In
1998, it had its fIrst VBS in its new church home. In 2003, 53 children
attended.
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