Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:

On Sunday, September 13, 2009 our congregation began a year long celebration marking the fiftieth anniversary of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church at this location.  The celebration will culminate with a dinner on Friday, September 10, 2010, at a banquet hall off-site.  We will follow the dinner with a festival service on Sunday, September 12, 2010 commemorating fifty years of God’s grace and blessings.  Truly, we have much to be thankful for as we wander over the past fifty years!

Cross of Christ began as a mission church in the Tuscarora School located on Franklin Road at Square Lake and Telegraph Roads.  The Reverend William Grafe was the first pastor.  The church was called The Lutheran Church of Bloomfield Township.  The church was renamed Cross of Christ Lutheran Church on September 4, 1960 and on September 14, 1960, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church was accepted into the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church/Missouri Synod. 

On August 28, 1960, The Reverend Delayne Pauling was commissioned as the first resident pastor of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.  Pastor Pauling was installed in March, 1965 accepting the Divine Call of The Lutheran Church/Missouri Synod.

Ground was broken on December 30, 1962 for the construction of the chapel and education wing which

were dedicated on January 12, 1964. 

This antique show was first held in October, 1964.  It was organized by the choir in order to secure funds for choir robes. 

On April 23, 1995, ground was broken for the construction of The Family Life Center.  The center was dedicated in June, 1996, to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Gordon H. Light who lovingly served this congregation for 19 years.

On December 14, 1997, ground was broken for the construction of a new sanctuary and an education wing to connect the “old” Cross of Christ building with the new sanctuary.  The Sanctuary and Education wing were dedicated to The Glory of God and to His service on June 4, 2000.  There was a pre-service of Dedication, in December, 1999 – as our annual Christmas Concert was performed for the first time in our new Sanctuary.

During the past fifty years, we have been faithfully served by The Reverend William C. Grafe, The Reverend Delayne H. Pauling, The Reverend Gordon H. Light, The Reverend Michael Heusel, The Reverend Jon W. Reusch (current administrative pastor), The Reverend James L. Ackerman (current associate pastor), The Reverend Corliss A. Fanning and The Reverend Stephen D. Grafe. 

Many of the members of Cross of Christ have just begun their journey of faith.  For them and for all who enter our doors – you are the reason this congregation was started in the Bloomfield area. Jesus called His church to go into all the world and make disciples.  We sincerely pray that the blessing of our fiftieth anniversary will inspire this congregation, young and old, to renew its dedication to the mission our Lord has given us, and join in joyful celebration of the blessings He has given through Cross of Christ.

TO  GOD  BE  THE  GLORY