Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Racine Wisconsin

Let All Who HearNow To His Temple Draw Near

We are a traditional Lutheran congregation in the Missouri Synod, gathering each Sunday for Divine Service with hymnal and organ.

An Invitation from Pastor Otten

Grace, mercy, and peace be unto from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! You are warmly invited to worship with us at Holy Cross, where we gather around God's gifts as He serves us through His Word and Sacraments. Here, He grants forgiveness, strengthens His people in faith, and comforts us with His abiding peace. Come be encouraged by the Gospel, refreshed by His mercy, and united with fellow believers in praise and thanksgiving. We would be honored to welcome you as we gather to receive His abundant gifts together.

A Racine, Wisconsin Church Where You Can...

Worship

with reverence, tradition, and joy

The sanctuary at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin during a worship service. This is from the installment of Pastor Luke Otten. He sits in a chair at the center front of the nave. The church is full, with many decorative banners, and blue and
A wooden crucifix at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin, set in front of the out-of-focus stained glass windows.

Grow

in regular study through God's word

Belong

to a loving and prayerful community

A bride and groom stand in front of the altar at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin, surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen. The blue aisle carpet is covered in flower petals, and the church is full of guests. The blue and purple stained glas

What We Believe

As Confessional Lutherans, we believe that we are saved by grace through faith on account of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. This saving truth is revealed in Holy Scripture, which alone serves as the source and norm for our doctrine and faith. We confess that the teachings of Scripture are faithfully summarized in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, as well as in the Book of Concord. To learn more about Confessional Lutheranism, visit https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs

Pastor Luke Otten elevates the chalice in a service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin. He is wearing a red chasuble. The altar also has red paraments and flowers.

What People Have to Say about Holy Cross Lutheran Church

I’ve been an active attender for 16 years.
The church is beautiful! Very fond of this place.

Oscar Rosales

Very friendly.

Barb Tertel

A very nice little church with a kind and welcoming congregation.

Jose Rosales

Featured Ministries

Concordia Lutheran School in Sturtevant, WI

We are one of two association churches of Concordia Lutheran School in Sturtevant, WI. Concordia is a 3k-8th grade school whose mission is to "Bring Christ and excellence in academics to our children for life and forever." Concordia has been in the business of academic excellence and bringing children and their families to know Jesus as their Savior for over fifty-five years.

Racine Lutheran High School

We are an association church of Racine Lutheran High School. RLHS's mission is to guide and inspire students in their journey of faith, learning, character, and leadership. They are committed to nurturing each student’s relationship with Jesus Christ while providing a comprehensive education that prepares them for a life of service to God and others. Their core values reflect their belief in the power of faith-based education to transform lives, fostering a community where every student is encouraged to grow spiritually, academically, and morally.

Hospitality Center

We support Hospitality Center in downtown Racine with many different types of donations. The Hospitality center is a space for those in need to gather and connect with essential resources, such as breakfast and lunch, a monthly laundry program, support groups, and more.

LWML

We have a chapter of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML). This group of ladies gathers monthly for supporting a diverse selection of missions throughout the City, the County, the State, and the Country

Plan Your Visit

The best way to get to know us is by visiting. Here is everything you need to know about a visit to Holy Cross.

Divine Service

Sundays at 10 AM

Bible Class

Sundays at 11:15 AM

Text Study

Tuesdays at 9 AM

Map – Trinity Lutheran Church
An exterior shot of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin. They have an A-frame roof, with stained glass on the left and right sides of the front, flanking a large cross in the middle. They have a sign out front welcoming Pastor Otten and his fam

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’ve never been to church before. How does this work? Do I make a reservation? Do I just show up?

A: You can just show up! There is no need to make a reservation or to call beforehand. We have space for you, and we often have people just show up.
However, you might feel more comfortable if you talked with us before arriving.
Even if you don’t talk with us before coming, you are welcome here.

Q: What should I expect in the worship service?

A: We are a liturgical church, meaning our worship follows a structured order of service that draws on centuries of Lutheran tradition. Each week's service includes confession and absolution, Scripture readings, the Nicene or Apostle's Creed, and communion every other week. All of our congregational singing comes straight from the hymnal, accompanied by the organ.

Q: What about communion?

A: The Lord's Supper today is celebrated at our altar in the sure and glad confidence that, just as Jesus said, He feeds us with His Body and Blood in this Sacrament. Because this Sacrament confesses unity of doctrine and faith (1 Cor. 11:17ff), and because "it requires all hearts to believe," we ask that anyone who has not received the Lord's Supper at this altar from Pastor Otten first speak to him before the Divine Service.

Q: Are children welcome?

A: Children worship with their families. There are children's activities bags, but no Sunday school or children's church during the church service.

Q: How should I dress?

A: We recommend dressing a little nicer for church, but dress in what you feel is appropriate for service.

Contact Us

(262) 554-7010

A Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin

What is a Lutheran Church?

What is a Lutheran Church?
Holy Cross is a Lutheran Church. This means that we are a Christian church that:

  • Bases its teachings on the Bible.

  • Emphasizes salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.

  • Embraces God’s Word, the sacraments, and prayer as the center of Christian worship.

  • Engages in acts of Christian witness and love locally, domestically, and abroad.

A Member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a denomination that confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith, a faith built on “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20).The LCMS, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is mission-oriented and Bible-based. LCMS doctrine reflects the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther, as summarized in The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The sanctuary at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin. It's lit only through the striking stained glass, but with enough light to see the paneled A-frame ceiling and wooden pews.

Churches in Racine, Wisconsin

Churches in Racine and churches in Elmwood Park play a vital role in building community, offering hope, and sharing God’s grace and mercy. Holy Cross stands as a prime example—welcoming neighbors, serving those in need, and above all, extending the grace of God in Jesus Christ to all.

Website by Affordable Church Websites, a project of ChurchSEO.io, a Lutheran web design company.Copyright © 2026 Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Racine, Wisconsin. All Rights Reserved.