About Holy Cross · Anchorage, Alaska
Holy Cross is a small but diverse Catholic parish in Anchorage, Alaska, located at 2627 Lore Road near Lake Otis Parkway. Founded on July 22, 1984 by Archbishop Francis T. Hurley as one of several missions to serve the growing Anchorage Catholic population, the parish welcomes Filipino, Latino, Polish, and Native Alaskan congregants among others. The parish celebrates Mass daily, livestreams weekend and weekday Masses on Facebook, and offers outdoor Stations of the Cross, a parish library, and a wide range of faith formation, youth, and outreach ministries. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau and remains one of the smaller parishes within the city limits while running an active sacramental and community life.
- Established
- 1984
- Patron
- The Holy Cross (Feast of the Triumph of the Cross)
- Rector
- Fr. Pat Travers
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau
Why belong here
Holy Cross offers a notably diverse, multilingual Catholic community — with Filipino, Latino, Polish, and Native Alaskan families worshipping side-by-side — in a parish small enough that newcomers are quickly known by name. Daily Mass, livestreamed weekend services, a robust faith formation program for children and adults, a large parish library, and 24/7 outdoor Stations of the Cross make it easy to plug in. The parish combines traditional devotion (regular confession, adoration, anointing of the sick, and the annual Feast of the Triumph of the Cross) with active youth, young adult, and outreach ministries.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00-4:00 PM
- By appointment (contact a priest)
History of Holy Cross Parish
Holy Cross Parish was founded on July 22, 1984, by Archbishop Francis T. Hurley, with Father Ernie Muellerleile named as the first pastor. The community began with just 30 enrolled families, who worshipped at Abbot Loop School while a wooden cross marked the future church site at Lake Otis and Lore Road. Within six months the parish had grown to 90 families, and over the next decade it moved through Hanshew School, St. John United Methodist Church, and a Postal Plaza storefront before its permanent church was completed in the summer of 1993 and dedicated on September 12, 1993. The parish took as its annual feast the Triumph of the Holy Cross, celebrated each September 14.
- July 22, 1984 – Parish established by Archbishop Hurley
- Fr. Ernie Muellerleile – first pastor
- First Mass at Abbot Loop School
- Cross placed at Lake Otis and Lore Road
- 30 founding families → 90 families in 6 months
- Aug 1, 1990 – Sister Joan Oberle, C.PP.S., assigned as Parish Associate
- Oct 1992 – Deacon Bill Finnegan and wife Diane assigned to assist
- Summer 1993 – church construction completed
- Sep 12, 1993 – Archbishop Hurley dedicates the new church
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at Holy Cross serves children, youth, young adults, and adults, coordinated through [email protected]. The program supports sacramental preparation, ongoing religious education, and adult faith events throughout the year.
- Children's Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Adult faith events
- Contact: [email protected]
Parish Library
Holy Cross maintains an unusually large parish library open during office hours and immediately before and after every Mass. It holds books and DVDs for both adults and children; an online catalog is available through the parish website. Children's books do not require checkout cards and are loaned on the honor system.
- Open during office hours and around Mass times
- Adult and children's collections
- Books and DVDs
- Online catalog available on parish website
Outdoor Stations of the Cross
A walking outdoor Stations of the Cross is set on the east hill of the parish property and is available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is one of the parish's signature devotional features and is promoted especially during Lent and the Easter season.
- Located on the east hill of the parish property
- Available 24/7
- Promoted during Lent and Easter
Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Fr. Pat Travers with Fr. Dan Hebert assisting (also available for spiritual direction). Deacon Bill Finnegan has served the community since 1992, and Sister Joan Oberle, C.PP.S., has been assigned as Parish Associate since 1990. Lay staff include Jerica Manaois (youth/formation work mobile 306-9363) and Chelsea Higgins (extension 2).
- Fr. Pat Travers — Pastor (ext. 5)
- Fr. Dan Hebert — Priest / Spiritual Direction (ext. 4)
- Deacon Bill Finnegan — since 1992
- Sister Joan Oberle, C.PP.S. — Parish Associate since 1990
- Jerica Manaois — staff (306-9363)
- Chelsea Higgins — staff (ext. 2)
Visit and Contact
Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM; the office is closed on Friday. The parish can be reached by phone at (907) 349-8388 with extensions for individual staff members, and by email for Faith Formation at [email protected].
- Address: 2627 Lore Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
- Phone: (907) 349-8388
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–1:00 PM; closed Friday
- Faith Formation email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ernie Muellerleile1984 - circa early 1990s
First pastor; named by Archbishop Hurley when Holy Cross was established on July 22, 1984.
- Fr. Pat Traverspresent
Listed as current pastor on the parish's contact/staff page; extension 5 on the parish phone line.
- Fr. Dan Hebertpresent
Listed on current parish staff; also available for spiritual direction; extension 4 on the parish phone line.