On April 25, 1920, Holy Cross' eleventh pastor, Rev. Reimar A. Frick, was installed. He shepherded the Wartburg flock longer than any other pastor in its history. He reopened the school and did most of the teaching himself for the next twenty-five years.
Prior to 1922, it seems to have been the practice of communicants to kneel at Communion. It was resolved to stand before the altar instead in 1922. Also, the envelope system for donations to the church was also organized at this time.
Mrs. Frick was an accomplished organist and probably played for most of the services. When she was unable to do so, Luella or Esther Ruff would play.
In January 1923, a fund was started for a new school. The old school needed a considerable amount of repair. The new school was completed in 1929. Alfred Schmeding and Eldo Horn were the last students to finish eighth grade in the old school.
A new pipe organ was purchased in 1926. The exact cost is unknown, but voter's meeting minutes indicate that members were looking for an organ between $1100 and $1600. The organ was purchased from a church in Princeton, Indiana. It is a two-manual mechanical action pipe organ that was built in the mid-1890s by the Kilgen Organ Company of St. Louis, Missouri.
The organ, which is still currently used, was dedicated on April 25, 1926. The dedication service was significant because a German morning service (presided by Professor M. Sommer), an English afternoon service (presided by Professor W.G. Polack) and an evening music festival (presided by Rev. Frick and several students from the seminary) were held on that day.
Initially the organ sat in the northwest corner of the nave (where the pulpit stands now). Air had to be pumped manually into the bellows. The purchase of an electric blower was discussed in 1929, but the voters decided to set a salary for the person who pumped the organ by hand. The organ blower was finally purchased in 1941 when the organ was moved to the new addition to the church.
During this time, English was beginning to predominate the region. Many of the members desired English services. However, the majority wanted to cling to German.
A change was initiated during Lent 1926. The midweek services split in half. The three morning services were done in German while the three evening services were done in English.
In 1928 English worship services were conducted once a month in the evening. Communion was also celebrated in English three times a year.
May 1933 saw the first regular English church service held once a month. In July 1934, it was resolved to hold the English service every third Sunday with German being used the other Sundays. This arrangement continued until 1942.
In 1927, the congregation purchased a dynamo (light plant). This electric plant generated electricity for the church, school, parsonage and teacherage until 1938 when electrical service from Illinois Power Company came into the area.
The new school was built between June and September 1929. It was remodeled in 1954 where an addition was added to the rear of the building. In 1990 the building was expanded again with a 20'x60' addition to the north side.
The observation for the Ninetieth Anniversary of Holy Cross was planned in 1928. The officers at the time of the 90th anniversary were:
The oldest member at the time was Heinrich Althoff (79).
To celebrate the anniversary, three special services were held on June 7, 1931. Former Pastor, Rev. F. Pieper, was asked to speak at the 2:30pm English service, but he was unable due to his father's death shortly before. Rev. J. Hartenburger of Red Bud substituted. Rev. Rud. Meyer of Old Trinity, St. Louis preached at the 7:30pm English service. The morning German service was conducted by Prof. E.J. Friedrich of Concordia Seminary. A noon lunch was served by the ladies of the congregation in the school basement with a chicken dinner in the evening.
Rev. Frick compiled a 16-page booklet, in German, chronicling the 90 years of history for the congregation.
English was resolved to be taught in the day school in October 1931. However, the option to be confirmed in German was still available for everyone. The last class confirmed in German was in 1933. As late as 1940, there was still one class for study of German in eighth grade.
Reunion services for confirmands of the previous ten years were held each Palm Sunday evening beginning in 1937. The confirmands renewed their vows and recited their confirmation text. This practice was discontinued in 1959.
In observance of the Centennial, a major renovation project was undertaken by the congregation. A white brick addition was added to the west side of the stone building. It houses the chancel, sacristy and organ. The original specifications also included a mother's room. However, the mother's room was voted down by the assembly. Stained glass windows and hanging light fixtures were added.
The Centennial was celebrated with three services on June 8, 1941. The newly renovated and enlarged church was dedicated at the 9:30am service. Dr. G.V. Schick of Concordia Seminary delivered the message. Prof. Richard R. Caemmerer of Concordia Seminary conducted the 2:30pm service. The evening service had Rev. H. Paul Boehme deliver the sermon.