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Members of Hosanna Lutheran Church congregation gathered on Wednesday, April 8, for the first major worship service in the sanctuary since a fire caused by a lightning strike on May 18, 2025.
At Wednesday’s service, the 25-foot cross, which survived the fire, was re-hung in its place of prominence on the church’s south wall. Eventually, a new altar will be placed directly beneath it.
Most of Hosanna’s interior furnishings sustained smoke and water damage as a result of the fire and are being replaced. However, the congregation was united in its desire that the same cross should be installed again.
Congregants watch the cross being installed. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Bible selections and reflections were read by Parker Althoff, Zayne Hartwig, Riley Hennen, Mesa Kirchmeier, Logan Eide, Jan DeBerg, and Mike Aadland. The church choir, under the direction of Sarah Becker, sang the hymn “Lift High the Cross,” as it was raised by Josue De la Rosa, Chauncy Cole, and Jay Olson of Gil Haugan Construction. The cross was raised into place with the aid of two scissor lifts.
“Putting the cross back is a milestone,” said Pastor Craig Werling.
The 300-pound cross was restored to its pre-fire condition, sporting a fresh coat of varnish. It was created by the late Jim Berven, the congregation’s building supervisor, and Denny Anderson, the contractor’s job supervisor, during the building of the church in 2016.
Following the raising, the congregants organized themselves into the shape of a cross. A group photo was taken of the Gil Haugan crew by the cross.
Work on the interior of Hosanna Lutheran Church is expected to last another few months.
The pastors of Hosanna Lutheran Church pose with the Gil Haugan Construction crew. Pictured left to right are: Josue De la Rosa, Pastor Janine Rew-Werling, Chauncy Cole, Pastor Craig Werling, Tina Heeren, Jay Olson, and Nick Hofer. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
