Who We Are

Vision Statement

As an ever-widening inclusive Christian community, we are called to transform ourselves and our world to embody God’s radical love, healing, and hope.

Mission Statement

Inspired by our history of activism, hospitality and service, we are called to offer connection, time, and space to anyone seeking spiritual nourishment, especially those who have been harmed, rejected or ignored by other institutions. Leveraging our ever-evolving gifts and experiences, we gather to worship using progressive theology, to build caring and authentic friendships, to act in service throughout the community and the world, and to rise up to establish dignity for all creation. We proudly and loudly proclaim: Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

We encourage one another by discerning how we act out our faith in everyday situations, inviting others to participate in our mission, and allowing for questions to arise that do not always have easy answers.

All are welcome to worship, study and participate with us at their own level of comfort, without regard to membership status.

Church of the Three Crosses is an Open and Affirming Congregation (UCC) and a Reconciling Congregation (UMC) and as such, we affirm that all people are made in the image of God, and therefore, with God’s grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of race, nationality, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental and physical ability as well as socioeconomic background.

We welcome all people to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of our congregation. All members of this faith community will have access to the blessings and rites of the church. We commit to building a fellowship of faith that offers openness and understanding, justice, healing and wholeness of life for all people.

 Our History

Church of the Three Crosses was formed in 1966 by the merger of two early Old Town congregations dating from the 1800s which were both founded by German immigrants: Second Evangelical United Brethren Church and St. James United Church of Christ.

The Second Evangelical Church was founded in 1852. The first church building was at Chicago and Wells. In 1869, the congregation moved to the northwest corner of Wisconsin and Sedgwick where its building was twice destroyed by fire, with the final rebuilt structure dating from 1937. This congregation was affiliated with the Evangelical United Brethren denomination which later merged in 1968 with the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church.

The St. James Church originated in 1896 as the St. James Evangelical Congregational Church. The building was located at 1718 N. North Park. In 1957, the Congregational churches in the U.S. united to form the United Church of Christ, and thus the church became the St. James United Church of Christ.

Initially, Church of the Three Crosses met in the Second Evangelical Church building. In 1973-74, the present building, with its flexible and multi-use space, was erected at the corner of Wisconsin and Orleans. In keeping with its heritage, this congregation is affiliated with both the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ.

A brief history of Church of the Three Crosses as well as its two predecessor congregations was published for the 50th anniversary of the congregation in October 2016.

Download the brief history,
Celebrating Our Heritage (PDF)

  • August 1968

    Clergy carry congregation’s cross as a reconciling symbol amidst the police riot in the park during the 1968 Democratic Convention.

  • 1974

    New building of Church of the Three Crosses built on land reclaimed from the former Ogden Avenue.

  • Mid-1970s

    Theater group enacts “Jonah and the Whale” during worship in the park amphitheater next door to the church.

  • May 1980

    Bell from former building installed at new Church of the Three Crosses building.