About Holy Cross Catholic Church
Holy Cross Catholic Church (also known as Holy Cross Parish) is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 1610 E. 11th Street in East Austin, Texas, in the Diocese of Austin. Founded in 1936 by Rev. Francis R. Weber, C.S.C. of the Congregation of Holy Cross, it was the first Catholic church in Austin established to serve the African-American Catholic community, who at the time were often excluded or segregated at other local parishes. Today it is a diverse, mission-driven parish served by the Missionaries of St. Paul (MSP), with English and Igbo Masses, an active social-justice and pro-life apostolate, a Prayer Garden with Stations of the Cross, and a newly built Family Life Center. Its motto and mission are simple: 'To serve as a diverse spiritual community, committed to glorifying God and serving the needs of others as Christ did. We Welcome All. We Embrace All!'
- Established
- 1936
- Patron
- The Holy Cross (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Basil Aguzie, MSP
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
Holy Cross is one of Austin's most historically significant parishes — founded in 1936 to give Black Catholics a dignified spiritual home, and today a deliberately diverse community that lives out Isaiah 61 ('good news to the poor, freedom for the captive') through its ministries. Weekday noon Mass, Sunday Mass in English, and a once-monthly Igbo Mass welcome Catholics from across Central Texas. Members can join a Social Justice ministry that runs monthly 'Courageous Conversations,' a Defense of Life apostolate, faith formation and sacramental preparation, and parish life organized around a new Family Life Center, the Prayer Garden with the Stations of the Cross, and a long tradition of civic engagement.
Mass times at Holy Cross Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM (and by appointment)
- Wednesday 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM (and by appointment)
- Thursday 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM (and by appointment)
- Friday 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM (and by appointment)
- Saturday 4:45 PM – 5:15 PM
- Weekday confession is also offered following the noon Mass on days the priest is available
- Annual Advent and Lenten Penance Services with multiple priests available
Our Story — Holy Cross Parish, East Austin
Holy Cross Catholic Church was founded in 1936 by Rev. Francis R. Weber, C.S.C. to serve Austin's African-American Catholics, and has been a beacon of faith, civic leadership, and social justice in East Austin ever since. The parish's story is inseparable from the story of its neighborhood: the church building went up in 1937 on E. 11th Street, the school in 1939, Holy Cross Hospital in 1940, and Holy Family Catholic Church in 1942. Pastoral care was held by the Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.) and then the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) for decades, before being entrusted to the Missionaries of St. Paul (MSP) in 2002. Today Fr. Basil Aguzie, MSP — originally from Nigeria — serves as pastor, and the parish mission is: 'To serve as a diverse spiritual community, committed to glorifying God and serving the needs of others as Christ did. We Welcome All. We Embrace All!'
- 1936 — Parish founded by Fr. Francis R. Weber, C.S.C.
- 1937 — Church building completed; dedicated by Bishop C. E. Byrne on June 5, 1938
- 1939 — School opens in the church basement
- 1940 — Holy Cross Hospital opens (first Austin hospital allowing Black physicians)
- 1941 — Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception take over the school
- 1942 — Holy Family Catholic Church founded for South Austin
- 1960 — Parish school closes (its graduates number among distinguished U.S. professionals)
- 1972 — Meals on Wheels and More founded in the parish kitchen
- 1989 — Holy Cross Hospital closes
- 1996 — Parish once again designated to serve Austin's African-American Catholic community
- 2002 — Missionaries of St. Paul (MSP) assume pastoral care
- 2014 — Texas Historical Commission marker dedicated at 1610 E. 11th Street
- 2011–present — Fr. Basil Aguzie, MSP, pastor
Clergy, Staff & Parish Leadership
Holy Cross is currently pastored by Rev. Fr. Basil Aguzie, MSP, a member of the Missionaries of St. Paul. The parish office coordinates all sacramental and pastoral requests through him, with named lay staff and volunteers supporting faith formation, safeguarding (EIM), and sacramental preparation.
- Rev. Fr. Basil Aguzie, MSP — Pastor
- Jennifer Brooks — Baptism Classes coordinator
- Vera Houston-Black — Parish EIM (Environment for Increasing Ministry / safe-environment) site administrator: (512) 657-4176
- Parish office phone — (512) 472-3741
Sacraments at Holy Cross
The parish describes the sacraments as 'the life of the Church,' and walks parishioners through each one. Baptism requires preparation classes, the Sacrament of Penance is offered regularly and on special Advent/Lenten days, Marriage preparation begins with a meeting with the priest, Anointing of the Sick is brought to the homebound and hospital, and Funeral ministry is coordinated through the church office so that parish and priest — not the funeral home — direct the liturgy.
- Baptism — Classes via Jennifer Brooks
- Penance — After weekday noon Mass and by appointment; Advent/Lenten Services
- Confirmation — Celebrated with the bishop (Bishop Garcia)
- Eucharist — See Mass schedule
- Marriage — Meet with the priest before setting any date
- Anointing of the Sick — Request a parish visit; prayers before/after surgery
- Funerals — Contact the church office first, before making funeral-home arrangements
Parish Ministries & Community Life
Holy Cross is known for active ministries rooted in Catholic social teaching — protecting the unborn and the elderly, confronting racism, and walking with immigrants. The Social Justice Ministry hosts monthly 'Courageous Conversations' open to the community; the Defense of Life Ministry prays the Memorare, witnesses outside abortion clinics, and brings in pro-life speakers; and the Igbo Catholic Community gathers monthly for Mass and fellowship. The Family Life Center, a newly built state-of-the-art hall, hosts receptions, wakes, birthdays, graduations and meetings.
- Social Justice Ministry — monthly Courageous Conversations on racism
- Defense of Life Ministry — Memorare, sidewalk witness, pro-life speakers and literature
- Igbo Community Mass — last Sunday of each month at 1:30 PM
- Youth / Young Adult ministry (Holy Cross Young)
- Parish choir and music ministry
- Family Life Center rental for weddings, receptions, wakes, birthdays, graduations, meetings (call 512-472-3741)
- Sacramental preparation (Baptism, Marriage, etc.)
Facilities — Church, Prayer Garden & Family Life Center
The parish campus at 1610 E. 11th Street includes the original church (completed 1937, dedicated 1938), the rectory, the Holy Cross Prayer Garden with its outdoor Stations of the Cross, and a newly constructed Family Life Center hall that can be rented for parish and community events. The Texas Historical Commission marker honoring 'Holy Cross Catholic Church and Community' stands on the grounds.
- Original 1937 church building
- Holy Cross Prayer Garden with the Stations of the Cross
- Newly built Family Life Center (state-of-the-art hall, available for rental)
- Parish offices and rectory
- Texas Historical Commission marker (erected 2014)
Getting Here & Contact
Holy Cross Catholic Church is located in East Austin's Blackshear-Prospect Hill neighborhood, across from the State Cemetery / Oakwood area. The parish office is reachable by phone at (512) 472-3741 (ext. 1). Mail and visits use the address 1610 E. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702. The parish Facebook page is the main published social channel.
- Address: 1610 E. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702
- Phone: (512) 472-3741
- Fax: (512) 472-3760 (per third-party directory)
- Diocese: Diocese of Austin
- Website: https://holycrossaustin.org/ (holycrossstx.org redirects here)
- Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Holy-Cross-Catholic-Church/251041098354868
A Living Legacy — Civic & Community Impact
Holy Cross parishioners have shaped Austin, Travis County, and Texas well beyond the church walls. From the founding of Holy Cross Hospital (1940) and Meals on Wheels (1972) to the election of parishioners to the Texas Legislature (including its first Black Speaker Pro-Tempore), Austin City Council, the AISD School Board, and the state presidency of the NAACP, the parish's mission of service has been civic as well as spiritual. The Isaiah 61 verses carved into the front of the pulpit — 'good news to the poor, freedom for the enslaved' — remain its compass.
- Holy Cross Hospital (1940) — first Austin hospital to allow Black physicians to practice
- Meals on Wheels and More (1972) — founded in the parish kitchen; today 1,800+ meals/day
- Holy Cross Catholic School (1939–1959/60)
- Holy Family Catholic Church (1942) — founded for South Austin
- Parishioner leaders: Texas Speaker Pro-Tempore, legislators, Austin council member / Mayor Pro-Tempore, AISD board members, Texas NAACP president
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis R. Weber, C.S.C.1936–1951
Founder; built church, school (1939), and Holy Cross Hospital (1940); known as the 'carpenter priest'.
- Fr. Edwin Bauer, C.S.C.1951–1952
- Fr. Aloysius Dayberry1952–1960
- Fr. Joseph A. Francis, SVD1960–1961
Society of the Divine Word (SVD) takes over pastoral care.
- Fr. Stanley Goatee, SVD; Fr. Maxim Williams, SVD; Fr. Clement Mathis, SVD1961–1973
Shared pastorate by three SVD priests.
- Fr. Michael Fritzen, SVD1973–1981
Parish hosted the founding of Meals on Wheels in 1972.
- Fr. William Feldner, SVD1981–1982
- Fr. Mark Figaro, SVD1982–1986
- Fr. George Artis, SVD1986–1996
During his tenure the parish was once again designated to serve Austin's African-American Catholic community (1996).
- Fr. Isidore Ndagizimana1996–2001
- Fr. Cletus Udoh, MSP2002–2005
Missionaries of St. Paul (Nigeria) assumed pastoral duties in 2002.
- Fr. Michael Ajewole, MSP2005–2011
- Fr. Basil Aguzie, MSP2011–present
Current pastor; originally from Nigeria.