During the 1950s, television sets were being brought into the homes. For the first time, the funeral of an important religious leader was shown. This funeral was for Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first speaker for The Lutheran Hour. He died on January 11, 1950.
In 1949 Miss Eleanor Baden of Altamont, Illinois, was called to be the teacher and church organist. She was the first resident teacher since Schiewe left in 1917. She taught for a year before returning to Concordia Teacher's College, Seward, Nebraska, to continue her studies.
Rev. Krause received four calls while he was at Holy Cross. The fourth was to Grace Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minnesota. He asked for his release from the congregation and preached his farewell sermon on August 28, 1949. He returned to participate in the services for the 140th and 150th Anniversaries. Rev. W.H. Youssi, Immanuel, Waterloo, served as the vacancy pastor.
In 1949 the voters granted permission to Miss Jean Buettner to play the organ at services. She was tasked to work out a schedule with Miss Baden, the resident teacher and organist. Since that time, Miss Buettner has faithfully served the congregation as organist.
Rev. Martin H. Rothe accepted the call to become the thirteenth pastor for Holy Cross. He was installed on December 4, 1949.
In 1950 all midweek Lenten services were in English. The only Lenten service conducted in German was Good Friday morning service. This practice continues. It is currently the only service that is still done in German.
In January 1950 a "Sunday School Committee" was selected by the voter's assembly to work out an improvement plan for Sunday School and Bible Class. The committee recommended that Sunday School be offered every Sunday instead of just during the summer months.
Also at this time, Russell P. Buettner was selected as the first Superintendent. He continued in this capacity until his death in 1962. In 1952 the Sunday School became a member of the Red Bud Circuit Sunday School Association and participated as long as the association was active.
A chapter of the Lutheran Layman's League was organized in 1950. The LLL was responsible for sponsoring Christian movies twice a month at the church. The chapter remained active until 1956. Presently, membership in the International Lutheran Layman's League is by payment of dues.
On August 20, 1950, the Ladies Aid celebrated their Golden Jubilee. Former pastor, Rev. Frick of Grant Park, Illinois, preached at the society's Fiftieth Anniversary afternoon service. The church was redecorated in coordination with this celebration. At that time, the painting of Christ's resurrection, which had been mounted above the altar, was removed. The statuette of Christ which now stands in front of the dossal curtain replaced it. The church's interior was rededicated on December 10, 1950.
Vicar Fred Riemer served as school teacher and choir director during the 1950-51 school term. He is an ordained minister, currently serving at Salem Lutheran, Jacksonville, Illinois. After leaving Wartburg, Mr. Riemer enrolled at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to become ordained.
Miss Mary Jordan served as the school teacher during the 1951-52 term. This was the first term that complied with the state law requiring a nine-month school term. Previously, the term had been eight months.
1951 brought several changes to the congregation. The first copies of the Lutheran Hymnal were purchased. The Ladies' Aid removed the wall between the kitchen and the old coal bin in the school basement.
Rev. Rothe was influential with county officials in getting the present hard surface road through Wartburg.
In September 1951, Rev. Rothe accepted a call to Immanuel, Charleston, Illinois. He also became a student pastor at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. He returned to preach a sermon in 1960 and also for the Ladies' Aid Diamond Jubilee in August 1975.
The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950. During this war, several men were called to serve their country. These included:
Rev. E.G. Meseke of Immanuel, Waterloo, became the vacancy pastor. During the vacancy, the youth from Immanuel and Holy Cross had joint Walther League activities.
Rev. Bernhard T. Strasen of Blue Earth, Minnesota, accepted the call to Holy Cross. He was installed on February 17, 1952. Strasen had been a missionary in India for many years.
In October 1952 the Ladies' Aid paid for the flooring in the school. The bare wood floor had been in existence since the school was constructed.
Mrs. Stella Buettner served as the teacher for the 1952-53 term.
Mr. Roger Fischer of Underhill, Wisconsin, accepted the call to be the next teacher. He was installed on August 16, 1953. He served until the end of the 1957-58 term.
Mr. Eric Christjaener was called to be the teacher in 1958. To create housing facilities for him, a dormer was added to the parsonage.
Holy Communion was offered monthly starting in April 1958. Previously, it was offered six times a year. At the congregation's inception, Communion was celebrated four times a year (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Trinity).
Rev. Strasen accepted a call to Immanuel, Cecil, Wisconsin, and bid farewell to Wartburg in August 1960. Rev. Leland Lochhaas of Immanuel, Waterloo, became the vacancy pastor.
Christjaener could not teach all eight grades. Two students from the school had to go to the public school to complete their education. These students were Barbara Buettner Goldschmidt and Linda Schmidt Bauer. They were graduated from eighth grade in 1959. The last group of children to graduate eighth grade from Holy Cross were Arthur Koch, Darlene Matzenbacher, Kenneth Buettner, Richard Woodcock, Donald Whelan and Ronald Whelan.
Christjaener felt that he would not be able to teach more than six grades starting with the 1960-61 school term. After much deliberation, the congregation decided to consolidate the school with the school at Immanuel, Waterloo, starting with the 1960 fall term. The school building at Immanuel was used while Holy Cross provided the teachers and equipment.
In 1961, when Holy Cross sent out call documents to prospective pastors, there were few who were proficient in German to preach the Good Friday service. Many of the documents were returned because of the requirement. Therefore, the clause requiring preaching in German was removed.
In March 1961, a call was placed for a graduate from Concordia Seminary. Sem. Karl K. Schmidt was assigned to Holy Cross and was installed on July 23, 1961.
Rev. Paul E. Rohlfing, a retired pastor of Red Bud, Illinois, who had provided services in the German language during the vacancy, was requested to conduct a German service once a month. Rev. A.J.F. Meier also lead some German services.
Upon Mr. Christjaener's resignation in 1961, Leslie Schmeding signed a contract for the 1961-62 school term. He was the last day school teacher to teach in the school at Wartburg.