Francis Pieper Jr. was called to Holy Cross straight from Concordia Seminary in 1900. He was familiar to the members because the Seminary had placed him in charge of the Waterloo mission, which began on November 6, 1898.

Pieper was installed on July 1, 1900. He was the 20-year-old son of Dr. Franz Pieper, the president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. His duties at Holy Cross included the continuation of his duties with the Waterloo mission.

On January 13, 1901, Rev. Pieper organized the Waterloo mission into Immanuel Lutheran Church. The new church had approximately sixteen communicant members.

Children from the Waterloo congregation came to parochial school at Wartburg from 1900 to 1916. The dual parish continued until June 1, 1916. In August 1916, Immanuel, Waterloo and St. Paul, Columbia formed a dual parish, extending a call to Rev. G. Groerich.

Immanuel built its first church building in 1907. Many of the neighboring Lutheran congregations took up a special collection for the new church building. Holy Cross donated their old communion ware and lights to the church building. In 1990, the communion ware was returned to Holy Cross as a gift from Immanuel. It is on display with the church artifacts.

Pieper was very dynamic and talented. He conducted the Sunday services, played the organ and sang in the choir and quartet (with Fred Boehne, Henry T. Buettner and Conrad Buettner).

In the summer of 1900, seven ladies met with Rev. Pieper to organize the Ladies' Society. Their first constitution was drafted in 1909. It states that the organization was founded to foster Christian fellowship and practice works of love and charity throughout the world. The group joined the International Lutheran Women's Missionary League May 10, 1944.

The present parsonage was built in 1904. A fund for a new tower was started in 1905.

Herman Rengstorf was called as a teacher in 1907 and taught until 1912. He accepted a call to Prairie Ridge Road in Madison County. He died rescuing a friend from a burning building in 1925. He is buried in the cemetery.

Holy Cross was incorporated June 5, 1909. Fred Ruff signed the articles of incorporation.

In 1910, Rev. Pieper urged that members have their children baptized in the church. Home baptisms were common.

After ten years, Rev. Pieper ended his pastorate at Holy Cross with the service on June 19, 1910. He accepted a call to Cleveland, Ohio.