About Holy Cross Catholic Church · Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 144 Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, serving the Sevier County area and the many visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains. It belongs to the Diocese of Knoxville and is currently led by Rev. Michael Hendershott, STL, who is the sole priest serving the parish. The community worships in both English and Spanish, with a Saturday evening Vigil Mass in English, a Saturday evening Mass in Spanish, and two Sunday morning English Masses. Holy Cross is recognized by the diocese as a vibrant parish, joining neighboring parishes in events like the Living Stations of the Cross during Holy Week.
- Established
- 1946
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Hendershott, STL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
Holy Cross Catholic Church offers a vibrant Catholic presence in the heart of Pigeon Forge with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish each weekend, weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday, and a generous confession schedule on Saturday afternoons and evenings. The parish supports growing Catholics through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program, prepares families for First Communion and Confirmation, and provides ongoing formation through Formed.org as well as devotional life like First Friday Adoration and the traditional Missa De Angelis. With active ministries spanning sacramental preparation, outreach such as 'Love Like Elisa,' and a bishop-led Called By Name vocations initiative, Holy Cross is both a faithful local parish and a welcoming stop for the many Catholic visitors who pass through the Smokies each year.
Mass times at Holy Cross Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 pm
- Saturday 6:30–6:55 pm
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration (see parish schedule)
Parish Overview
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Knoxville, located at 144 Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The parish is led by Rev. Michael Hendershott, STL, who serves as the only priest for a large congregation. Weekend worship includes English and Spanish Masses on Saturday evening and two Sunday morning English Masses, with weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday at 12:00 pm.
- Diocese of Knoxville parish
- Pastor: Rev. Michael Hendershott, STL
- Weekend Masses in English and Spanish
- Weekday Mass Tuesday–Friday at noon
Clergy and Staff
The pastor of Holy Cross is Rev. Michael Hendershott, STL. The parish office is staffed by Carolina DuPont (Receptionist / [email protected]), Rebekah Snyder (Administrative Assistant / [email protected]), and Michael Landree (Resource Manager / [email protected]). The pastor is the only priest assigned to the parish at this time.
- Rev. Michael Hendershott, STL — Pastor
- Carolina DuPont — Receptionist
- Rebekah Snyder — Administrative Assistant
- Michael Landree — Resource Manager
Sacraments
Holy Cross celebrates the full sacramental life of the parish. Preparation programs are in place for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Funerals, and the parish issues Sacramental Certificates for those needing documentation. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes new and returning Catholics into full communion with the Church.
- Baptism preparation
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation
- Funerals
- Anointing of the Sick (via pastor)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sacramental Certificates
Faith Formation and Adult Initiation (OCIA)
The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults discerning becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments of Initiation. Along with parish sacramental preparation, the parish points parishioners to Formed.org for ongoing Catholic study and formation.
- OCIA classes for adults
- Formed.org online faith formation
- Bible study and ongoing education
Spiritual Direction and Devotions
Holy Cross encourages parishioners to make use of daily Mass, confession, bible study, and adoration as the ordinary means of sanctification. The parish hosts the traditional Missa De Angelis, supports First Friday Adoration, and marks the annual Sacred Heart observance (with a 'Sacred Heart 2026' program on the website). The pastor is currently available for one-time meetings with those discerning a vocation; ongoing individualized spiritual direction is limited because there is only one priest assigned to the parish.
- Daily Mass encouragement
- First Friday Adoration
- Missa De Angelis
- Sacred Heart devotion
- Spiritual direction limited to one-time meetings with the pastor
Parish Outreach and Ministries
The parish supports charitable outreach such as the 'Love Like Elisa' initiative and participates in diocesan-wide programs like Bishop Beckman's Called By Name vocations letter (available in English and Spanish). A Kroger Plus Rewards community fundraising program helps the parish with everyday giving, and online registration plus online giving are available through the website.
- Love Like Elisa outreach
- Kroger Plus Rewards program
- Called By Name vocations support
- Online registration
- Online giving / Donate
Bulletin, Announcements, and Newsletter
The parish keeps parishioners and visitors informed through a weekly bulletin page and an announcements section. Recent announcements have welcomed Father Michael Hendershott and introduced new office staff, updated the Mass Intention Policy, and called attention to Bishop Beckman's Called By Name letter (English and Spanish PDFs available). The parish also invites visitors to sign up for its newsletter on the contact page.
- Weekly bulletin page
- Announcements page
- Newsletter signup on contact page
- Called By Name letter (English & Spanish)
Visiting Holy Cross and Contact
Visitors and parishioners can reach the parish office at (865) 429-5587 or by email at [email protected]. Office hours are listed on the contact page (open weekdays 9:00 am – 2:00 pm on the sample day shown). The 'Get directions' link on the contact page links directly to mapping for 144 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.
- Phone: (865) 429-5587
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 144 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Office hours posted on contact page
- Get directions link available
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Hendershott, STL
Current pastor; welcomed to the parish as the current pastor per parish announcements; sole priest serving a very large congregation.