Holy Cross History
February 13, 1861 Rev. John Grabau organized the German-speaking Protestants for Christian Worship in Farnham.
1864 Parcel of land located on the present railroad right of way was purchased and the church was built
August 1, 1865 Land purchased from Francis & Love Snow, deeded to Charles Luke, Fred Emke and Charles
Polchow as Trustees of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church
May 29, 1869 First recorded Constitution of the church signed by Trustees John Stolts, John Oldenburg, Carl Ohrt,
Joachim Nordblum Sr, Ludwig Turk, John Wiepert, Christian Berns and Frederick Thormann
January 5, 1878 1st burial – Cornelia Elizabeth Johanne Dorothea Minnie Krull, 9 days old, daughter of William &
Louise Nordblum Krull
1878 1st confirmation class
January 22, 1878 1st recorded baptism – William Simon Fling, son of George & Margarethe Fling
April 6, 1878 1st recorded marriage – William Surd and Karolina Dahlgrun
1881 11 marriages were performed
1882 Pennsylvania & Nickel Plate Railroads found the church was located on the proposed right of way so
the railroad paid the trustees of the church $2500.00 for the property and moved the wooden
building to the present site. The money was used to build a higher steeple costing $1350.00 and to renovate the church. This caused a controversy in the church and a number of members left and formed a congregation of their own, building a church known as the Upper Church and located on
the site of the present parsonage.
August 1885 Pastor Stolt’s wife and child died then Pastor Stolt died.
1889 Ladies Aid Society was formed. At one dinner they served 625 chicken dinners
1892 Collection was $87.50.
July 1895 3 children died from cholera
April 10, 1898 Easter Day – 142 people received the Lord’s Supper
1895 – 1901 During this time period 2 rooms were added to the north side of the 2nd story of the parsonage
1901 – 1915 During this time, Zion Lutheran Church in Silver Creek was organized
1904 The largest confirmation class of 18 children joined the church.
1901 – 1915 During this time, an addition was built after the church was raised 1 ½ feet. Stained glass windows
were installed.
The pulpit and altar were constructed.
Ladies Aid purchased Christ’s statue and cross.
2-four arm and 2-two arm candleholders for the top part of the altar was donated by Mr. Louis
Schwert
New carpet which cost $24.00 was purchased by the Ladies Aid
1908 First Sunday in Advent – dedication of the remodeled church was held
November 1910 Installation of gas in the church and parsonage and school house was approved by the
congregation. Mr. Edward Berns did the work for $150.00
January 1911 ½ acre of land was purchased from Albert Brinkman
Summer 1912 Sidewalks for the church and parsonage were added thanks to the Ladies Aid
1912 An English service was held once a month.
An English Bible class was started by Pastor Rohde.
September 13, 1914 50 Year Jubilee. Pastor Rohde preached at the morning service in German and Pastor Walter
Krumwiede in English. At the evening service Pastor William Ludwig preached in German and
Pastor Roeder in English.
Reunion of Pastors lasted 3 days
September 16, 1914 Friendly family gathering took place. The speakers for that evening were Pastor Reinz, Pastor
Wasmund, Pastor Kusch, Pastor Drach & Pastor Rohde.
February 1, 1916 English replaced the German in the services and ministry of the church
May 1917 Luther League was organized.
WWI Three members lost their lives while in service. Max Grundovski, Herman Timmerman and
William Hoth.
1922 – 1926 Annual Easter sunrise service on the cemetery took place
“The Dinners of Many Nations” took place. Different groups represented a foreign country with
decorations, costumes entertainment and refreshments conforming to that country.
The church steeple was repaired using a ship mast which was purchased from a ship yard along
the Atlantic Ocean.
1924 New pews were purchased
September 1926 Special Congregational Meeting – voted to build church parlors adjacent to the church
Thanksgiving 1926 Erection of the building was started, incorporating the old school house as a kitchen.
1927 Confirmation reunion banquet
August 18, 1930 Midnight – disastrous fire which completely destroyed the church and the parlors.
September 22, 1930 Work was started
October 19, 1930 4 feet of snow fell delaying the laying of the cornerstone
October 26, 1930 The laying of the cornerstone by Mr. John Nordblum, the oldest member of the congregation (79
years) and August Smith and Wilbur Avey who were the first two to break ground for the new
building
A modern brick edifice replaced the frame building and adjoining church
An auditorium with a stage, a meeting room and a modern, well-equipped kitchen were also built.
December 11 1930 The bell was installed in the tower and rang the 1st time on Christmas Eve. The bell came from the
Brant Town Hall tower. Brant Town Hall was originally the Methodist Church.
April 19, 1931 Dedication of the present brick structure was made by Dr. Samuel Trexler.
The stained glass windows are memorial gifts from individual members and were dedicated to the
memory of loved ones.
April 20, 1931 Organ Recital on the new Mars & Colton Organ was given by Dr. Coersan and assisted by
Anthony Ortalano, violinist.
April 22, 1931 Fellowship Service was held with the Rev. Julius Walker of Silver Creek and Trinity’s Choir
provided music.
April 24 & 25, 1931 The Men’s Club presented a comedy
April 26, 1931 A class was confirmed
Roller skating in the church hall and tennis on the court at the rear of the church took place
November 11, 1934 A new, two-car garage was built to replace the old one.
The lot adjoining the church was leveled and seeded with the men of the congregation doing the
work
July 23, 1939 75th Anniversary of the founding of the church, 50th Anniversary of the Ladies’ Aid Society and
the 5th Anniversary of Rev. Walter Huthman as pastor.
The interior of the church was painted and redecorated.
The Ladies’ Aid Society raised almost $1000 within 2 years to help pay for the work.
The ladies of the Sewing Circle presented the church with a full set of altar hangings.
Rev. Martin Hoeppner was the Guest Speaker.
July 25, 1939 Midweek Anniversary Fellowship Service – guest speaker was the former Pastor Welkner.
July 28, 1939 The Anniversary Home Coming Dinner & Picnic held on the church grounds.
1940 – 1948 During this time, 2 year confirmation classes started
Council members began to subscribe to the LUTHERAN
World War II – 33 young men were called to the armed services. Pastor Voss built a walnut
offering box with a cross and anchor to receive funds for the servicemen. The money was used to
send a monthly news letter and gift boxes to these men from time to time.
Four men of the congregation gave their lives to the war. They were: Edward Stuehring was lost at
sea on October 1942, Raymond Koch lost his life in North Africa, Edward Schrader was killed in
action September 1944 and Howard Nordblum died of wounds received in the invasion of Luzon
on January 19 1945.
The Farnham Fire Company presented two flags, the Church Flag and the National Flag to the
congregation in their memory.
1944 The common cup during communion was discontinued
Ladies’ Aid used the church hall for Red Cross Work
The parsonage received 13 new windows, insulbrick was placed on the outside, the cellar floor
was lowered and new floor was put in, rear porch was enclosed, hardwood floors were laid in the
living and dining rooms and the entire house was redecorated.
August 6, 1944 80th Anniversary of the organization of Hol Cross was observed with a festival sermon given by
Pastor Wasmund.
January 14, 1946 the Public School was completely destroyed by fire and the 1st four grades (about 70 children)
held classes in the church hall. This lasted for 2 ½ years.
On leaving the church property the School Board completely redecorated the church hall, kitchen
and meeting room.
1946 The church – insulation was placed above the ceiling, converted to the use of gas for heat
1947 Repaired belfry roof
November 14, 1948 Almost 2 years went by without a pastor because the pastors that were called declined because of
the dual pastorate.
Mr. Frank Kalmbach instructed the confirmation class.
August 14, 1949 Baldwin Electronic Organ with Deagan “Patrician” Chimes was dedicated in memory of Mrs.
Elizabeth Schultz, who bequeathed a sum of money to the congregation for this purpose.
Renditions were by Mr. Arthur J. Crosson, Radio Station WBNY artist.Mr. Donald Carbeck sang a
solo
November 27, 1949 Holy Cross & Zion Lutheran voted to extend a call to Mr. Howard Guhl, a student at Mt. Airy
Seminary.
1950 – 1954 During this time, Council was increased from 9 members to 18.
Attendance increased
Relief Clothing Appeal brought in almost a ton of clothing
Sunday Bulletins were printed
Christian Higher Education Appeal raised $1500.
Early church services were inaugurated during the summer
Some youth were given the opportunity to attend a Lutheran camp
The Cherub Choir began
A Young Adult League and a teen group were organized
An Adult Congregation Club was organized with 12 members and increased to 36 members.
The chancel was enlarged and remodeled with new furnishings, a new carpet, parapet and altar
rail
A new heating system was installed – baseboard heat
The floors were refinished and new front doors were installed
January 24, 1951 Woman’s Missionary Society was formed with 24 charter members
June 16, 1952 The separation of Holy Cross and Zion. For about 50 years the two congregations had been one
parish and were served by one pastor.
A special dinner was held to celebrate becoming a single congregation. State Senator John
Cooke was the guest speaker.
January 1955 Pastor Hoffman became severely ill. During this time, Rev. Frank Welkner, Mr. Frank Kalmbach
and Mr. Robert Klumpp were the main supply preachers.
1954 – 1960 During this time, the church interior was repainted
The bell tower and cross above the front doors were illuminated.
Insulation was installed in the church
A hat and coat rack was constructed in the rear of the church
The interior of the parsonage was redecorated.
The church and cemetery driveway were resurfaced with slag topping
June 1955 A memorial fund was started for the purchasing of the New Lutheran Hymnal and Service Book
Lent 1958 Over 100 hymnals were purchased and dedicated shortly after Easter.
1959 The Home Mission Committee of our Synod recommended that Holy Cross be relocated on U.S.
Highway 5 in the Town of Evans.
1960 Pews were varnished
Stained glass windows were enclosed with storm windows.
September 1960 The CALLER, a monthly newspaper was sent to each member
1961 The 1st Vacation Church School was held with 70 children enrolled
1961 The Ladies Aid Society and the Missionary Society were united into one organization known as
the United Lutheran Church Women with 29 active members. It became known as the LCW
1962 Four Lutheran Church bodies was merged to form the new Lutheran Church in America. 48
members of Holy Cross traveled to Buffalo to attend the first annual assembly of the Niagara
Frontier District of the New York Synod.
April 1962 A special congregational meeting was held to discuss the purchase of a site so the church would
be eligible for support from the Synod. This was done before the merger.
Arrangements have been made to purchase 4 acres of land from the Nordblum property on Route 5.
1963 The decrepit state of the old parsonage led to the determination to build a new one.
The church purchased a site on Route 249 between Mr. Fred Brinkman’s and Mr. Clarence
Kuhlman’s properties for the new parsonage.
January 9, 1963 The building plan was approved and a building contract was signed
March 18, 1963 Ground was broken for the new parsonage.
June 16, 1963 The new parsonage which included four bedrooms, costing $25,000. Was complete and The
Seibert family moved in
August 18, 1963 Dedication of the new parsonage.
The old parsonage was sold and moved off the property
1964 A substantial budget of $16,866.00 was adopted.
1964 A new curriculum for Christian education began
Those who have led us in worship throughout the years
The Rev. John Grabau February 13, 1861 – March 25, 1862
The Rev. Peter Brandt March 1862 – 1866
The Rev. H. Karnold 1866 – 1867
The Rev. Valentine Miller 1869 – 1883
The Rev. J. Stolt 1883 – 1885
The Rev. P. L. Streich 1885 – 1890
The Rev. Paul De Zocher 1890 – 1895
The Rev. Hermann Leibich 1895 – 1901
The Rev. Walter Rohde 1901 – 1915
The Rev. Theodore Hoffmeister 1916 – 1921
The Rev. Henry C. Meyer 1922 – 1926
The Rev. Frank P. Welkner 1926 – 1934
The Rev. Walter J. Huthman 1934 – 1939
The Rev. William J. Voss 1939 – 1948
Interim-Pastor, The Rev. Clarence Braun 1948 – 1950
The Rev. Howard Guhl 1950 – 1954
The Rev. Paul C. Hoffman 1954 – 1960
The Rev. William F. Seibert 1960 – 1966
The Rev. Leroy W. Perran 1966 – 1968 6/12/66 – 3/26/68 died
The Rev. Donald F. Anderson 7/23/1969 – 9/14/1975
The Rev. David J. Roppel 1/1/1976 – 9/30/1980
The Rev. Charles Greene 10/1980 – 1981 Interim
The Rev. Jean W. Barge 2/1/1981 – 8/31/1995 Retirement
The Rev. Richard Siemann 9/1995 – 6/1996
The Rev. John J. VanHaneghan 6/1996 – 6/1997 – Interim shared pulpit with Good Shepherd,
February 13, 1861
Vicar Amy Walter-Peterson 2002 – 2003
Vicar Terry White 2003 – 2004
Vicar Kathleen Suggitt 2004 – 2005
Vicar Randolph Richardson 2005 – 2006
The Rev. Richard Siemann Interium
Vicar Scott Hannon 2010
The Rev. Richard Siemann
The Rev. Laurie Carson 2011 - July 2015
The Rev. Timothy Hoyer July 2015 - Present - Interim leader, Worship lead by Deacons and Pastors
Conference Deacon Lynn Whitworth October 2017 - Present