MenuHoly Cross Lutheran Church
History & Memories
The church had its beginnings in 1958 when the Mission Board of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO, bought 3-1/2 acres of land at 8900 Sheridan Drive to establish a mission church in Clarence. Rev. David Krampitz from Illinois was the first Pastor. The first service was held on Sept. 27th, 1959 at a rented space in an American Legion Hall on Main Street. This space was used for 1 ½ years.
A portable altar and two lecterns, built by Harold Bauer (a founding member), and a curtain in front of the bar transformed the building into a sanctuary and Sunday School rooms on Sunday mornings. Some of the first members were these families: Bauer, Tupper, Stafford. Ruth Miller, and Verne Cooley were the first organists. Bobby Kirschner and Helen Roberts oversaw the sewing of the first paraments, and were “sticklers” about the proper care of them.
Holy Cross officially received its Charter on Easter Sunday, April 1960 with 96 charter members. Three “Harolds” (Bauer, Dunbar and Hiemenz) were among the charter members and served as leaders and church officers in the early years. Of the original members, Dorothy Tupper still lives in Clarence.
Construction of a new building, a distinctive “A frame” structure was opened March 23, 1961 and dedicated May 14th of that year. In 1966, Pastor Krampitz received a call to a church in Willow Springs, Ill. and we welcomed Pastor Carl Streufert in September of that year. He served as Pastor for almost 26 years, retiring in 1992.
That same year, Holy Cross borrowed $35,000 to build a fellowship hall and recreation wing, which was completed and dedicated in October of 1968, and named Krampitz Hall.
After Pastor Streufert’s retirement in 1992, Pastor Robert Spilman served as Interim Pastor until Pastor Jack Hartman retired after 18 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, became the 3rd minister to serve the congregation. Pastor Spilman again served as Interim Pastor for 20 months when Pastor Hartman was called to a church in Cabot, PA in 1997.
Rev. Keith Enko, a native of Massachusetts, became the fourth minister to serve. He was installed in July of 1999. Upon his resignation in 2004, Rev. Gordon Beck of St. Louis served as Intentional Interim Pastor until Pastor Randy Rozelle, was installed in 2005. Rev. Rozelle served for 9 years until May of 2015. During his service, in 2008, the congregation celebrated the opening of the new Holy Cross Christian Center at 8880 Sheridan Drive, adjacent to the church, adding an additional one plus acres to the campus. The Center was honored to receive the 2007 Clarence Community Beautification Award for this remodeling project.
Our current Pastor, Rev. Jeff Nickel, the son of an LCMS Pastor, was ordained and installed as the sixth pastor in the congregation in July of 2015. Rev. Nickel was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and raised in Scribner, Nebraska, and Alpena, Michigan. Pastor Nickel graduated with honors from Harvard University before earning his law degree from the University of Michigan. After law school, he worked as an attorney for a number of law firms and several international corporations. In 2011, he left Armstrong World Industries Inc. to pursue studies for the ordained ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, where he received his Master of Divinity degree in May 2015.
Our Pastors have blessed this church with their service and compassion. To summarize, they have included:
1. Rev. David R. Krampitz, 11/13/1960 – 5/31/1966 (5 yrs., 6 mos.)
2. Rev. Carl A. Streufert, 9/18/1966 – 6/7/1992 (25 yrs., 9 mos.)
Rev. Robert Spilman, Interim Pastor, 6/1992 – 3/1993 (8 mos.)
3. Rev. Jack Hartman, 3/14/1993 – 11/1997 (4 yrs., 8 mos.)
Rev. Robert Spilman, Interim Pastor, 11/1997 – 7/1999 (1 yr., 8 mos.)
4. Rev. Keith Enko, 7/1999 – 8/2004 (5 yr.)
Rev. Gordon Beck, Interim Pastor, 8/1/2004 – 7/31/2005 (1 yr.)
5. Rev. Randy Rozelle, 8/6/2005 – 5/31/2015 (9 yrs., 10 mos.)
6. Rev. Jeff Nickel, 7/26/2015 – present day.
In 2017-2018 the Holy Cross Elders led the congregation through a strategic visioning journey to discern where the Lord is leading us for the next several years. The Lord blessed us with generous hearts and sufficient resources so that, on January 26, 2018, Holy Cross paid off its $348,450 mortgage for the purchase and remodeling of the Holy Cross Christian Center, to become debt-free.
At our final visioning retreat on February 17, 2018, in grateful thanks to our heavenly Father who provides all things, to His Son, the Lord of the Church, and to the Holy Spirit who calls us by the Gospel, we started the Congregational Retreat with a ceremonial burning of the mortgage for the Holy Cross Christian Center. Tom Marzano, our then-current president, passed a copy of the PAID-IN-FULL mortgage to Pat Ludwig, who was president of Holy Cross in 2006 when we acquired the Holy Cross Christian Center building. As Pat held the mortgage with tongs, Peter Olsen, then-current chair of our Elders, ignited it with an acolyte’s taper and all the assembled members of Holy Cross sang Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. Pastor Nickel led us in a prayer of thanksgiving for the faith, wisdom, resources and sense of common purpose by which God blessed us and led us during the time of this undertaking.
As a congregation, after much reflection, prayer, and study in God’s Word, in 2018 we adopted a new mission statement: “Together in God’s Word and Love, we boldly go to sow and grow Christ’s Kingdom.” We believe the Lord is leading us towards: hosting multiple events each year that bless and serve our community; partnering with sister congregations (Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Buffalo and St. Paul Lutheran in Clarence Center); enhancing our Christian education ministry with a Director of Christian Education, especially our ministry to young families; supporting and engaging in mission work near and far; and refreshing our physical facilities, starting with Krampitz Hall.
We thank God for the work of His kingdom that has occurred at Holy Cross since that very first service at the American Legion Hall in Clarence in September 1959, when believers first gathered to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. With confidence in the Lord of the Church, we humbly pray that the Lord will continue to bless us with His holy presence in Word and Sacrament, and guide us to do His will. To the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be all the glory! Amen.
Fond Memories of the Early Days
From Dorothy Tupper, founding member of Holy Cross:
As Dorothy tells it, there was a survey taken of families on Shimerville Rd. in Clarence, who would be interested in forming a Lutheran church. Those interested got together and met for services (1) each Sunday in the American Legion Hall on Main St. in Clarence. An organ was donated to accompany hymn singing. No communion was given, as the members needed to attend their established church to do that. The Tuppers were members at St. Luke Lutheran in Cheektowaga, the Fiegls were attending St. John Lutheran on Main St. in Williamsville!
Beginning in 1959 and for a year after, the men met weekly at the Town Park and sometimes in homes to get the church organized. The church was built by the Eastern District Missouri Synod. Its first pastor was David Krampitz, who taught the confirmation class in his rented apartment on Main St., until he was evicted, because he was not Catholic! Another apartment was secured for teaching near the Clarence Fire Company on Main St. Dorothy emphasized the importance of all the people in this new group as being one FAMILY!
The present Holy Cross Church was completed from 1961-62. They had an assistant Pastor to get things going. He was Pastor Drews from Lockport, who gave directions for the constitution. In the early 1960’s, about 50 people attended the church every Sunday. The Sunday School consisted of from 5-6 teachers (Dorothy and Ruth Dunbar, included), with Harold Butler as Superintendent. Dorothy still has a special pin which he gave the teachers.
Some interesting things which Dorothy remembers is about Bobbie Kirschner and Helen Roberts, doing so much for the church. These two ladies would spend an entire day at church, dusting and cleaning. They made, by hand, the first set of paraments for the altar, one white satin set and one green satin set. Dorothy recalls that Alfrieda’s husband, Dick Schurkus, made the first brace for the church to withstand the wind! AND he “bombed” the sanctuary for fly clusters!!
Dorothy also recalls the Women’s Guild having suppers for the Eastern District functions. This group also would visit residents at the Erie County Home. And, they also would visit a nursing home in Darien, NY to take the residents socks for Christmas gifts!
Memories from Chuck Fiegl:
Chuck doesn’t recall when he and his wife, Betty started going to Holy Cross, but he does remember ushering for MANY years at the 2nd service!!
He was a member of the choir as a tenor for several decades. He was a helpful member of Holy Cross, as he joined in putting up the lighting in the high ceilings of Krampitz Hall. Back in the 1980/90’s and up to the 2000’s, each year, he and Betty ordered and separated the palms for Palm Sunday! AND most importantly, as quoted from his niece, Wendy, he “did WHATEVER his good Lutheran wife Betty told him to do at church!!!!”
Memories from Alfrieda Schurkus:
Alfrieda remembers special events and ministries such as:
The Gospel Train, which were little stories for preschoolers.
Family of the Month, where individual families sign up for a month to clean the church.
Art’s Night, which was an activity done before the Christmas holidays where each family would make an Advent wreath.
Women’s Guild, which was a group of women who put on suppers, some for profit to earn money for the church.
The Mitten Tree Ministry, in which the Sunday School students would put mittens on a tree to give to charity.
The Angel Tree Ministry, which was done during Advent to collect gifts for prisoner’s children.
Ladies Christmas Luncheon, which was for all ladies in the congregation and was organized by Betty Leman.
Ambassadors for Christ, a group of Christian teenagers who presented a musical program sponsored by Holy Cross and the congregation housed and fed them for overnight.
In the 1970’s Holy Cross sponsored a family from Laos, until they established themselves in this country.
Holy Cross VBS was and is a program that Holy Cross has always had. At one point, some 100 children were enrolled in the summer outreach program!
Memories from Bob Mank:
The Manks came to Holy Cross in ’94 after Gethsemane closed. They attended Bible Class regularly through the years. Bob quickly became an Elder at Holy Cross, having been an Elder at Gethsemane.
Memories from Ron and Margaret Talboys:
Holy Cross youth belonged to the Walther League, Buffalo Zone, which belonged to Pioneer District. Walther League was a National Organization for LCMS Youth, had National Youth gatherings, involved many service projects and some social activities, and trained young people for church leadership. The Talboys met Pastor Streufert through Walther League. Pastor Struckman (LCMS Pastor in Lockport) was also a Walther League trainer. In the 1970’s Walther League disbanded nationally but our youth group continued. The Holy Cross Youth Group prepared and served Easter breakfast and went to visit nursing home residents, and did many other activities.
Family-led Summer Worship series:
Each summer, a theme or series was selected and families signed up to lead early worship. Each family was responsible for providing music, leading liturgy, doing the sermon, and a childrens’ activity. The Pastor distributed Communion. The Holy Cross Sanctuary was built before Krampitz Hall. As a result, Sunday School met in the Narthex and dividers were used to separate the classes. Around 1970, Krampitz Hall was built.
Margaret Talboys taught: High School Bible class, VBS-Nursery class, Sunday Adult Class and Thursday Bible Study.
Memories from Doreen Borschel:
To add more to our history, in the early years, Ruth Miller was the organist, then Verne Cooley. All of us did everything. We sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, Women’s Guild, cleaned the church, etc. (For a while, we had “Families of the Month”. Two families were scheduled each month to keep the church and hall in good order. How nice when the Cocco’s became our permanent “cleaners”.)
Our first Pastor, Rev. Krampitz, lived in a home we rented for him on Cameron Drive. Before he moved in, members cleaned and scrubbed it for the new young family. Attending the dedication was Rev. Huer and Rev. Drews. The church building, the Pastor’s study and the kitchen formed a cross from the air. Pastor’s office held his desk and a few shelves. The kitchen sink faced east, by the only window there. A pass through allowed food, etc. to be passed into the Narthex, which was used for SS and dinners. (The glass was then at the front of the choir, which allowed more space needed for that area, used for so many events.
Harold Bauer made the first altar and pulpit. It was made to fold so it could be taken to the Legion Hall and back easily. It was used for many years in Krampitz Hall for SS, and taken to church picnics, etc. Later on, Harold and Bob Borschel made the round tables that were used for many years and are still used for our outdoor picnics. Henry Roberts also used his carpentry expertise often.
We were elated when we could afford to expand eastward to create Krampitz Hall. Again members themselves did much, as laying the flooring, ceiling lights, painting, on and on. A “new” kitchen with a newer (but still donated) refrigerator, and a professional stove were installed.
As time marched on, I think we had the first Lutheran Women’s Lib. All women, including us, loved Christmas Bazaars, and often attended those frequently at many other neighborhood churches. Our women’s guild wanted to hold one too. No, our church “fathers” said it wasn’t the proper thing to do, (even though many others in the area did so). Guess what? We did it anyway. We enjoyed the camaraderie with one another as we created crafts, etc. Our profit was $700…much less than the other churches, who were more experienced at that. We planned to use it to buy or do something special for Holy Cross. Another guess what! In January, the same church fathers that were against us doing that, came to our meeting with dreary eyes, saying “We can’t meet our interest payment.” Guess where the $700 went?
The mailboxes that you see? They were from the Grant’s, used in their office upstairs from the store, at University Plaza. As I passed there one day, I saw large trucks emptying the building. Grants was closing. When I walked in, all their furniture was being sold to anyone. I saw those mailboxes and called Bob. He called Dick Schurkus (my brother, who owned a truck). I stayed, protecting those boxes from going elsewhere, until Bob and Dick arrived. Five dollars apiece. Bob spent a whole week of his vacation cleaning, repairing and varnishing them. First used in the Narthex, then moved as we had more space. This is how Holy Cross managed, everyone doing the same.
Hilarious things happened, too. The Home Bureau used our building (Narthex) for their Tuesday meetings. Holy Cross, at the time, had a terrible problem with flies, tons of “horse” flies. One particular Tuesday, Dick sprayed the Nave with potent Army National Guard insect spray. Those women were so mad. Flies were dropping on their crafts and it was their “open house” day.
This is a “God incidence”. I just happened to be at Holy Cross one day, Dick arrived and intended to work on the front wall. Good thing I was there. There was to be a wedding in a few hours. At another wedding, there was a huge scaffold in the altar area. Good thing that we now have someone in charge.
Memories from Marlene Hiemenz:
Pastor Krampitz would knock on people’s doors to recruit them to come to Holy Cross! The Hiemenz family responded and Marlene’s husband, Harold took their children to Sunday School. Later he became Sunday School Superintendent, and also led services and was the head of the readers.
Marlene stated that her son, Scott was the first baby baptized in the new building in 1961.
Marlene recalls that her 3 kids attended Sunday School in the American Legion Hall on Main St. (The bar there had to be covered to not see the achololic beverages!!!) Mr. Bauer made the portable altar and the stand lectern for there.
Her family knew Pastor Krampitz very well. Pastor had a wife and 3 girls and rented a house which she called “the cabin in the woods”. Later on, the church owned a house in the Harris Hill area. His wife was a teacher of nursing but did not participate in any church functions. They later divorced.
When Pastor Streufert came to Holy Cross, Marlene and her family knew the Streuferts very well! She recalls the “surprise party” for Pastor, which included 3 cakes: one for the 25th Anniversary of Holy Cross, one for Pastor’s 25th year of his ordination/ministry and one for his and Thea’s 25th wedding anniversary!
Marlene was involved in Holy Cross in a “big” way”! She was on the Council for 8 years as Financial Secretary and then Secretary for 1 year. She took notes “by hand”!
She was instrumental in designing and making most of the banners we see hanging in the church presently, such as the harvest, sunflower, lighthouse and Good Friday ones! AND she designed the original Christmas cut-out nativity scene which we light yearly outside the church front!
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
“Together in God’s Word and Love, we boldly go to sow and grow Christ’s Kingdom.”
