About Holy Cross Catholic Mission · Cross City, Florida
Holy Cross Mission is a small Catholic mission church serving the Cross City community in rural Dixie County, Florida. Established in 1971 and situated along SE Highway 19 just south of the town of Cross City, it is a mission church of St. John the Evangelist Parish in nearby Chiefland and is part of the Diocese of St. Augustine's Gainesville Deanery. The mission serves a bilingual community, offering both English and Spanish Masses each week, and is currently shepherded by Rev. Wilson Colmenares with the assistance of Parochial Vicar Rev. Pablo Fuentes. As a rural mission, Holy Cross brings the regular celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments to Catholic families living in one of Florida's least densely populated counties.
- Established
- 1971
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Rev. Wilson Colmenares
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
Holy Cross Mission offers Cross City's Catholic families a welcoming, bilingual worship community just off Highway 19, with weekly Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish to serve the area's diverse faithful. As part of the St. John the Evangelist parish family, it connects local Catholics to a broader network of religious education, sacramental preparation, and pastoral care across Levy and Dixie counties. Visitors and parishioners alike find a small, accessible mission where the Eucharist, confession, and Christian community are made available to rural North Central Florida.
Mass times at Holy Cross Catholic Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 11:00 a.m. (and by appointment)
- 30 minutes prior to all Masses (per parent parish website stjhc.org)
About Holy Cross Mission
Holy Cross Mission is a small Catholic mission church at 18278 SE Highway 19 in Cross City, Florida, founded in 1971 and serving the Catholic faithful of Dixie County and surrounding rural communities. As a mission church it is administered by the pastor and staff of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chiefland, sharing their mailing address (P.O. Box 863, Chiefland, FL 32644), phone number, and pastoral team. The mission belongs to the Diocese of St. Augustine and falls within the diocese's Gainesville Deanery, which covers parishes and missions across North Central Florida.
- Type: Mission Church
- Established: 1971
- Diocese: St. Augustine
- Deanery: Gainesville
- Parent parish: St. John the Evangelist, Chiefland
History and Pastoral Succession
The mission was founded in 1971 to bring the Eucharist and Catholic pastoral care to Cross City, the county seat of rural Dixie County. Through the decades it has been served by priests assigned to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chiefland. The 2019 diocesan directory lists Rev. Cesar Torres-Pinzon as pastor with Rev. Joseph McDonnell assisting in ministry at Holy Cross. The 2025–2026 diocesan directory records Rev. Wilson Colmenares as the current pastor, supported by Parochial Vicar Rev. Pablo Fuentes. Throughout, Holy Cross has remained a bilingual worship community, with a dedicated Spanish Mass each Sunday in addition to the English schedule.
- 1971 — Mission established
- 2019 directory — Pastor: Rev. Cesar Torres-Pinzon; Assisting: Rev. Joseph McDonnell
- 2025–2026 directory — Pastor: Rev. Wilson Colmenares; Parochial Vicar: Rev. Pablo Fuentes
Parish Staff and Clergy
Holy Cross Mission is served by the priests assigned to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chiefland. The current pastor is Rev. Wilson Colmenares, who can be reached at [email protected], and the Parochial Vicar is Rev. Pablo Fuentes ([email protected]). The parish office is administered out of the Chiefland parish office, where phone calls and mail are directed. Office hours at the parent parish are Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 a.m. to noon.
- Pastor: Rev. Wilson Colmenares
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Pablo Fuentes
- Parish office: Monday–Thursday 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m.–noon
- Shared mailing: P.O. Box 863, Chiefland, FL 32644
Misa en Español (Spanish-Language Mass)
The mission offers a Spanish-language Mass every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. for the area's growing Hispanic Catholic community. This bilingual worship tradition is a defining feature of Holy Cross and reflects the broader Hispanic Catholic presence in rural Levy and Dixie counties, where Spanish-language Masses have been offered continuously for many years under successive pastors.
- Misa Dominical en Español: Domingo 10:30 a.m.
- Reconciliation: 30 minutos antes de la Misa
- Catequesis / Educación Religiosa disponible en español
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Faith formation for children is organized through St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chiefland, with classes also offered on site at Holy Cross Mission. The parish website (stjhc.org) lists Catechism 2025 schedules with classes held on Sunday mornings in Cross City, and a Second-Wednesday session at Holy Cross. Parents are asked to participate in either the 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass at Holy Cross while children are in class. Sacramental preparation — for First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacraments — is coordinated through the parish office.
- Catechism classes for children
- Sunday 11:30 a.m. Religious Education at Holy Cross
- Second Wednesday class at Holy Cross
- OCIA / RCIA-style preparation available through the parish office
Sacraments
Holy Cross Mission celebrates the Eucharist at scheduled Masses and offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and by appointment. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage is coordinated through the parish office in Chiefland. Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral rites can be arranged by calling the parish phone number.
- Eucharist — Sunday and Wednesday Masses
- Reconciliation — Sunday 11:00 a.m. and by appointment
- Baptism, Marriage, First Communion, Confirmation — coordinated through St. John the Evangelist Parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — available on request
Visiting Holy Cross Mission
The mission sits along SE Highway 19 just south of the town of Cross City in Dixie County, making it easy to find for travelers on the highway as well as local residents. Parking is available on site. Those wishing to speak with a priest, schedule a baptism or wedding, or arrange confession are encouraged to call the parish office at (352) 493-9723 during posted office hours (Monday–Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. to noon).
- Address: 18278 SE Highway 19, Cross City, FL 32628
- Phone: (352) 493-9723
- Fax: (352) 493-9724
- Located on Hwy. 19 just south of Cross City
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.–noon
The Pastoral Cluster: St. John the Evangelist Family
Holy Cross Mission is one of several worship sites served out of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chiefland. Together they form a pastoral cluster that brings Mass, confession, and faith formation to the rural communities of Levy and Dixie counties. Sister mission churches include Christ the Good Shepherd in Bell (Est. 2016) and St. Andrew Chapel in Cedar Key, all sharing the same Chiefland parish office, phone line, and pastoral staff.
- St. John the Evangelist — Chiefland (Est. 1987), 4050 NW US Highway 27 Alt
- Holy Cross Mission — Cross City (Est. 1971), 18278 SE Highway 19
- Christ the Good Shepherd Mission — Bell (Est. 2016), 239 U.S. Highway 129
- St. Andrew Chapel — Cedar Key
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Cesar Torres-Pinzonthrough 2019 directory
Listed as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish and its mission churches including Holy Cross Mission in Cross City.
- Rev. Joseph McDonnell2019 directory
Listed as 'Assisting in Ministry' at Holy Cross Mission.
- Rev. Wilson Colmenarescurrent (2025–2026 diocesan directory)
Current pastor; serves Holy Cross Mission along with St. John the Evangelist and its other missions.