About Holy Cross · Fairview, Pennsylvania
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Fairview, Erie County, Pennsylvania, established in 1963 and part of the Diocese of Erie. The parish worships at 7100 West Ridge Road, with the rectory located at 7125 Old Ridge Road in Fairview, PA 16415. It offers weekend Vigil and Sunday Mass, weekday Masses on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the full range of Catholic sacraments from Baptism through Anointing of the Sick. As a smaller suburban parish serving the Fairview community just west of Erie, Holy Cross shares summer programming with neighboring St. John the Evangelist Parish in Girard.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Rev. Scott P. Detisch
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a welcoming suburban Catholic parish with a long-standing tradition of forming disciples through the sacraments and the Eucharist. Worshippers are invited into a community that celebrates Mass multiple times a week, offers Reconciliation every Saturday afternoon, prepares children and adults for First Communion, Confirmation, Baptism and Marriage, and walks with those seeking to become Catholic through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation). Its partnership with St. John the Evangelist in Girard — shared summer camps, combined Holy Day schedules and a pastor serving both parishes — gives members a broader Catholic family beyond the parish boundary.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
- Communal reconciliation services scheduled during Advent and Lent
Sacraments
Holy Cross celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and walks with parishioners through careful, faithful preparation for each. Marriage requires eight months of preparation and active parish membership of either the bride or groom. Parents expecting a child are encouraged to contact the office during pregnancy so that Baptism classes and godparent selection happen well in advance. Adult candidates for full initiation enter through the parish's OCIA process.
- Baptism – classes during pregnancy; contact office before choosing godparents
- First Communion – preparation through the Faith Formation program; adult preparation available
- Confirmation – preparation through the Youth Faith Formation program
- Reconciliation – Saturday 4:00–4:30 p.m. and by appointment
- Marriage – eight months of preparation; one party must be a registered parishioner
- Anointing of the Sick – by request and at weekend Masses at least once a year
- Holy Orders / Religious Life – referrals to Diocese of Erie Vocations
Faith Formation & OCIA
Faith Formation at Holy Cross prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation through the parish's Youth Faith Formation program. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church — or simply wanting to learn more — are invited into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults / RCIA). Adult candidates for Confirmation, First Communion, or Baptism begin with the parish's Faith Formation office.
- Youth Faith Formation (First Communion preparation)
- Youth Faith Formation (Confirmation preparation)
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Adult Confirmation inquiry
- Adult First Communion inquiry
Liturgical Ministries
Holy Cross maintains a Liturgical Ministries program supporting the Mass and the sacraments. Andrew Alesso is listed by the Diocese of Erie as the parish's Liturgical Music Contact. The parish welcomes parishioners who wish to serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers, altar servers, musicians and in other liturgical roles.
- Liturgical Music – coordinated by Andrew Alesso
- Liturgical Ministries at Mass (lector, EMHC, servers, etc.)
Parish Life & Community
Parish life at Holy Cross is marked by a close partnership with St. John the Evangelist Parish in Girard, sharing programs like the annual Holy Cross – St. John Summer Camp for kids. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin and runs an Online Giving program so that parishioners can support the mission digitally.
- Holy Cross – St. John Summer Camp (joint with St. John the Evangelist, Girard)
- Weekly parish bulletin
- Online Giving account portal
- New parishioner registration (call the office)
Clergy & Staff
Holy Cross is currently led by Rev. Scott P. Detisch, who was appointed Pastor effective August 1, 2026 while continuing as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Girard. He resides at the Holy Cross Parish rectory. Rev. Thomas L. Tyler, V.F., who had been serving as Parochial Administrator pro tempore following his retirement, concluded his service at Holy Cross on the same date. Support staff include JoAnn Kamensky (Support Staff) and Andrew Alesso (Liturgical Music Contact).
- Pastor: Rev. Scott P. Detisch (effective August 1, 2026)
- Rev. Thomas L. Tyler, V.F. — retired; previous Parochial Administrator pro tempore
- Support Staff: JoAnn Kamensky
- Liturgical Music Contact: Andrew Alesso
Parish Office & Contact
The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday morning, with shorter hours on Friday. The office is closed on weekends. Office staff can be reached by phone or email for Mass intentions, sacramental scheduling, registration, facility rental and general inquiries.
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Closed Saturdays and Sundays
- Phone: (814) 474-2605
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 10, Fairview, PA 16415
Facilities
The Holy Cross campus includes the church at 7100 West Ridge Road and the rectory at 7125 Old Ridge Road. The parish makes its facilities available for non-parish use on a limited basis, with nominal fees and proof of liability coverage required. Inquiries about rentals go through the parish office.
- Church: 7100 W. Ridge Road, Fairview, PA 16415
- Rectory: 7125 Old Ridge Road, Fairview, PA 16415
- Facility rental: contact the office for nominal fees and liability requirements
Visit & Getting Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. Anyone interested in registering as a parishioner is invited to call the office; parish staff will share registration details and orient new families. Those discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life are referred to the Diocese of Erie's Vocations website.
- New parishioner registration by phone (814) 474-2605
- Vocation discernment: Diocese of Erie Vocations office
- Online giving available through the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas L. TylerThrough 2026 (Parochial Administrator pro tempore)
V.F.; appointed Parochial Administrator pro tempore February 7, 2026 following his retirement; concluded service August 1, 2026.
- Rev. Scott P. DetischEffective August 1, 2026
Appointed Pastor of Holy Cross Parish while continuing as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Girard; residence at the Holy Cross Parish rectory; also serves as adjunct professor at St. Mary Seminary, Wickliffe, Ohio.