THE SANCTUARY

Holy Cross Sanctuary is located on Los Gatos-Almaden Road on a three acre plot, formerly an old almond and prune orchard. In conjunction with the wishes of the Holy Cross building committee, Architect Robert A. Benninghof & Associates of San Francisco prepared plans which were approved and ground broken in the Fall of 1965. Dedication of the Sanctuary occurred on November 20, 1966.

The sanctuary is a design in the round with the focus on the altar. It was planned to provide an appropriate setting for our Holy Christian liturgy. It expresses the reality of God's action among people. The humble stance of the building, the ruggedness of the floors and pews, the rustic quality of wood and concrete: these say something about man's humble penitence in approaching a Holy God. The solid oak pews with cushioned seats and padded kneelers bring us together as one Christian family. Everything in the sanctuary points to a free standing altar, composed of travertine marble imported from Italy. By focusing on the altar we are reminded of the presence of God, the infinite sacrifice of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessings of Holy Communion. There is a space for a choir, inviting singing so honored in the Lutheran tradition.

Two of the most striking sights upon entry are the altar and choir windows. These were designed by Roger Darricarrere of Los Angeles. The altar window symbolizes the Creation, the Nativity, the Baptism of Christ, the Crucifixion and Revelation, with the New Heaven, the New Earth and the Tree of Life. The choir window shows the Crown of Christ in a symbol of his second coming and in abstract symbolism honoring the music of our church, showing angels with trumpets and harps, all based upon the Book of Revelation.

THE CONGREGATION

The congregation, now approaching its forty-seventh year of existence, was organized July 6, 1958. In the beginning, worship was conducted in the Los Gatos Carpenter's Union Hall until the first unit, now our Celebration Center, was completed in 1960.