In the weeks and months following the 1995 fire that consumed most of the sanctuary, Cross continued to worship weekly, in spaces provided by fellow churches.
Our the first worship service to be held in the rebuilt church was on Palm Sunday, 1996, with a rededication service on Sunday, June 2 of that year.
On October 6, 1996, a special service was held to recognize and bless each of the sanctuary’s new stained glass windows. The Wisconsin Cream City Chorus were guest singers for the event. A few of its members later joined Cross.
Cross’ second LGBT Marriage was celebrated on Saturday, May 23, 1998. Pastor Joe asked a congregation member to co-officiate, to demonstrate the congregation’s support of performing LGBT marriages.
The Bread of Healing program was officially started in 1999, an outgrowth of existing Cross ministries.
The Bread of Healing Clinic was started in 2000, led by Parish Nurse Rick Cesar, Doctor Barbara Horner-Ibler and Doctor Tom Jackson.
In 2010, The Bread of Healing Clinic became its own 501c(3) agency, and has since opened two additional locations.
Cross remodeled its basement in 2010 to give the Bread of Healing Clinic its own home.
Solar panels were added to the church building in 2011, through a special fund that helped us work toward a greener future.
In 2017, Cross created a community garden on the land beside the church. It has become one of the central focuses of our Food Justice Ministry.
Cross Lutheran Church, updated after the fire
The second same-sex marriage at CrossThe Bread of Healing Clinic, on the church’s lower level