About Exaltation of Holy Cross · Hanover, Pennsylvania
Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a Catholic parish in the Buttonwood section of Hanover Township, just outside Wilkes-Barre in Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley. Founded in 1917 by Polish immigrant families who had outgrown the long walk to neighboring parishes, it carries the name of a village church near Goworowo, Poland, that one of its founding members once attended. Today the parish is part of the Diocese of Scranton and is linked with neighboring St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Wilkes-Barre, sharing clergy and resources while maintaining its own identity, its own church on Main Road, its own cemetery in West Nanticoke, and a busy calendar of music, youth, and family ministries.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (named after the parish Podwyższenia Krzyża Świętego in Goworowo, Poland)
- Rector
- Reverend Richard J. Cirba, V.F. (also Dean of the Wilkes-Barre Deanery since September 20, 2021)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a tight-knit Wyoming Valley parish where the Polish-American roots of 1917 still shape a warm, multigenerational culture, and where the small size means nearly every family has a way to serve. Worship is enriched by a full music program — youth choir, adult choir, young-adult contemporary choir, cantors, and even Christmas Eve and Easter concerts — while a robust CCD program (Preschool–8), youth ministry for grades 7–12, a young-adult ministry with Bible study, and family events like Trunk or Treat, the Christmas Cookie Walk, and Snow Tubing give every age a place to belong. As a linked parish sharing worship and pastoral resources with St. Robert Bellarmine while keeping its own church, cemetery, and identity, it offers the familiarity of a small parish with the strength of a wider diocesan family.
Mass times at Exaltation of Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:00 PM (before the 5:30 PM Vigil Mass)
- Thursday 8:30–10:30 AM during Lent (per Diocese of Scranton listing)
Parish History
Exaltation of the Holy Cross was founded in 1917 by Polish immigrants in Buttonwood and Korn Krest, two coal-country hamlets in Hanover Township. The first formal meeting was held on October 3, 1917 with 57 families represented; founding officers were Anthony Kapuscinski (President), Peter Stefanowicz (Secretary), and John Urbanski (Treasurer). Rose DeMorat, who named the parish after the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Podwyższenia Krzyża Świętego) in Goworowo, Poland, was joined by her sister Frances Rominski in gathering the families. The first Mass was celebrated by Father Francis Dominiak at the Buttonwood School, and the parish later received one acre from the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company to build its first church.
The First Church and the Great Fire of 1946
A frame church was completed in February 1919 and dedicated by Bishop Michael Hoban on July 25, 1920. A rectory was built beginning September 5, 1920, and five acres were purchased in 1921 in West Nanticoke for a parish cemetery. In the early morning of December 27, 1946, smoke spotted by Ann Clark on her way home from a holiday party was reported; despite firefighters from Hanover Township rushing in, the metal ceiling drove the flames downward and the church was destroyed — though one firefighter risked his life to carry Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to safety. The undamaged basement was patched and covered with tar paper, becoming the temporary church.
The 1947 Church
Excavation for the present church began in May 1947 under Father Casimir Wydra, designed by local architect Michael Bochnik. Dedicated on September 19, 1947 by Bishop William J. Hafey and built for $110,000, it was the most modern church in the Wyoming Valley at the time — with hot- and cold-air heating, a sound system, a rubber floor, an electric organ, painted sanctuary scenes, and stained-glass windows by the renowned Baut Studios.
- Stained-glass iconography includes St. Helen and the discovery of the True Cross, Emperor Constantine, scenes from the life of Christ, and Moses raising the bronze serpent in the desert — one of the readings for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
- A striking crucifix window fills the choir loft at the front of the church.
- The original $110,000 building debt was paid off in 1963 through the 'March of Quarters' campaign.
Vatican II Renewal and the Diocesan Linkage
Under Father Albert M. Kaczmarek (succeeding Father Wydra, who died September 30, 1968), the parish implemented the liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council; new marble altars, pulpit, and baptismal font were installed and the church was redecorated, with the renovation celebrated on November 27, 1977 in the parish's 60th-anniversary year. In 1987 Father Joseph Papka was named Pastor. In early 2009 the Diocese announced that Exaltation of the Holy Cross would be linked with neighboring St. Aloysius Church (later St. Robert Bellarmine Parish); the linkage took effect in July 2009 and the two parishes now share clergy and weekday Masses.
100th Anniversary and the Mulhearn–Cirba Years
Father Kevin Mulhern became Pastor in July 2011, dedicating a St. Ann statue on May 30, 2012 and the refurbished tabernacle from St. Casimir's on November 20, 2016 — the parish's 100th anniversary year. He also oversaw renovations including new carpeting, a handicap ramp, additional equipment, and the addition of two angels by the choir loft. Father Mulhern was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and went on medical leave, during which Father Richard Cirba served as administrator. Father Cirba was then named Pastor and, on September 20, 2021, was additionally appointed Dean of the Wilkes-Barre Deanery by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. In June 2025 the Bishop named Father Andrew Amankwaa Senior Priest in residence at the parish and St. Robert Bellarmine.
Parish Staff
The day-to-day life of the parish is run by a small, named team that parishioners know by sight.
- Pastor — Rev. Richard J. Cirba, V.F.
- Senior Priest (in residence) — Rev. Andrew Amankwaa (effective June 20, 2025)
- Pastoral Associate / Director of Music — Dominick Costantino Jr.
- Secretary / Religious Education Coordinator — Joan Cunard
- Maintenance — Matt Redick
- Sacristan — Ann Williams
- Finance Council — Donna Sokola (Chairperson), Georgette Siedlecki (Secretary); members John Basar, Pete Klemash, Ken Spencer, Tom Sokola, Bill Weidner.
Liturgical Ministries
Volunteers of every age are invited into the parish's liturgical life; the parish explicitly notes that training is provided for most roles and that you do not need to be a registered member to participate in many of them.
- Altar Servers — students in 3rd grade and older; contact Joan Cunard, 570-814-6444.
- Lectors (Youth and Adult) — proclaim the readings and lead the general intercessions; contact Dominick Costantino Jr., 570-706-6951.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — adults 18+; training provided by the Diocese of Scranton.
- Cantors — strong singers who can proclaim God's word in song and lead the assembly; training is provided.
- Ushers and Greeters — men and women needed; contact Ann Williams, 570-574-8287.
- Funeral Servers — contact Rosemary Gawat, 570-417-3404.
Music Ministry
Music is a signature ministry at Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with a Director of Music (Dominick Costantino Jr.) coordinating choirs for every age group.
- Youth Choir — K–middle school, sings once or twice a month at the 9:30 AM Mass and at parish/community events; leads the Christmas Eve program and Easter program.
- Adult Choir — sings once a month at the 9:30 AM Mass.
- Young Adult Contemporary Choir — open to college through age 40; leads a monthly Young Adult Mass with a contemporary Christian repertoire.
- Cantors — provide leadership and sung proclamation; training available.
Religious Education / CCD
Religious education runs in the church hall on Sunday mornings from 8:30–9:20 AM, with students then attending the 9:30 AM Mass. The program serves Preschool through 8th grade and is free of charge, with all textbooks, workbooks, and supplies paid for by the parish.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion preparation in 1st–2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation in 7th–8th grade
- Monthly Youth Family Mass participation
- CCD Coordinator: Joan Cunard — 570-814-6444
Youth, Family and Young Adult Ministries
The parish runs robust ministries for school-age, teen, family, and young-adult life, with a stated welcome that you do not need to be a registered member to participate.
- Youth Ministry (grades 7–12) — monthly meetings, nursing-home ministry, Christmas Cookie Walk, amusement-park trips, diocesan retreats (Up and Over, ISLI, NCYC). Contacts: Dominick Costantino Jr. and Christine Skiro, 570-706-6951.
- Family Ministry — monthly Youth Family Mass with Bingo social afterward, Trunk or Treat, Halloween Mass and party, neighborhood Christmas caroling, snow tubing, Easter Egg Hunt.
- Young Adult Ministry (20s and 30s) — monthly Young Adult Mass (contemporary music), Bible study, after-Mass socials, volunteer partnering. Bible study contact: Stephen Dule, 570-262-4007.
Parish Office and Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to Noon, and can be reached by phone, fax, or email for all sacramental and administrative needs.
- Address: 420 Main Road, Hanover Township, PA 18706
- Phone: (570) 823-6242
- Fax: (570) 829-4732
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.exhc.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Edmund Zawadzkifirst permanent pastor, appointed 1917–1918 era
Celebrated first Mass in the new frame church on April 20, 1919.
- Father Domasiewiczcirca 1920
First priest to live in the newly built rectory.
- Father Emil Sikorski1921 era
During his pastorate the parish purchased five acres in West Nanticoke for its cemetery.
- Father Casimir Wydrathrough Sept. 30, 1968 (death)
Oversaw excavation and construction of the present 1947 church; debt paid off in 1963.
- Father Albert M. Kaczmarek1968 – 1977 era
Implemented Vatican II liturgical renewal; renovated church with new marble altars, pulpit, and baptismal font (1977).
- Father Joseph Papkafrom 1987
Named Pastor in 1987.
- Father Kevin MulhernJuly 2011 – medical leave 2016
Advanced the linkage with St. Aloysius/St. Robert Bellarmine; dedicated St. Ann statue (May 30, 2012) and refurbished St. Casimir's tabernacle (Nov. 20, 2016); diagnosed with cancer in 2016.
- Reverend Richard J. Cirba, V.F.from 2016 (as administrator then pastor); Dean since Sept. 20, 2021
Filled in as administrator during Fr. Mulhern's medical leave, then named Pastor.