LCC - Lutheran Church of the Cross

Lutheran Church of the Cross is a community of committed Christian believers;

Loved by God who gave His Only Son, Jesus Christ,

in whom alone we have our salvation.

Nurtured by God's Word and Sacraments,

we are eager to use our God-given gifts for sharing the Gospel

in a ministry of love and service that reaches out

to and for each other and all people.

Being "Lutheran", our congregation accepts and teaches the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.

Grace alone
God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

Faith alone
By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him. 

Scripture alone
The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

On March 3rd, 1960, thirty-four people worshipped together for the first time in a home on Falls Road in Rockville.  That gathering was the beginning of a new congregation, Lutheran Church of the Cross.  Vicar Larry Lineberger, of the Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring, initially served the small group of Lutherans.  On April 24, 1960, our first pastor, The Reverend Ralph C. Kruger, was installed.  The charter service was held on October 16th, 1960, with forty-five members present.  The name of the congregation, Lutheran Church of the Cross, was adopted from a Lutheran church of the same name in Rockville’s sister city, Pinneberg, Germany.

The membership became too large for the house, which was also serving as the parsonage, so services were held at Julius West Middle School from 1961-1963.  With support from the Southeastern District of the LCMS, a five acre site was purchased and the groundbreaking was held on May 12th, 1963.  The dedication of the new worship facility occurred one year later.

We will soon observe our 50th anniversary.  We thank God for His many blessings throughout the years.  Mission, ministry, fellowship, sharing the good news about Jesus and serving God and His people continues to be our focus.