About Holy Cross · Fort Branch, Indiana
Holy Cross Catholic Church and School is a Roman Catholic parish in the small farming community of Fort Branch, Indiana, serving the Diocese of Evansville's West Deanery. Founded in 1947 by Father Howard Murphy, the parish shares a pastor with the neighboring St. Joseph Parish in Princeton, with the two communities joining resources to better serve and build the Kingdom of God. The parish offers four Masses a week (including a Saturday Vigil, April–September, and Sunday morning), regular confession, First Thursday Adoration, a parish school serving K–8, and a broad slate of faith-formation, youth, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- Holy Cross (the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
- Rector
- Father Gary Kaiser
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville (West Deanery)
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a tight-knit rural Catholic community rooted in nearly 80 years of faith in Fort Branch, anchored by its parish school and a long list of ministries for every stage of life. Families can have their children educated and formed in the faith at Holy Cross Catholic School (PreK–8), while adults grow through Catholic Scripture Study, OCIA, the Cursillo Program, a Welcome Retreat, and the men's Journey Men group. The parish reaches beyond its walls with a Prayer Chain, Ministry to the Sick and Homebound, Catholic Charities outreach, First Thursday Adoration, and a St. Maria Goretti youth ministry, all supported by a friendly parish staff and a pastor shared with neighboring St. Joseph in Princeton.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM (April–September)
- Sunday 8:00–8:20 AM
- Thursday 5:00–5:45 PM
Adoration times
- First Thursday Adoration (in conjunction with the regular Thursday schedule)
Parish History & Heritage
The Holy Cross Catholic community was established in Fort Branch in 1947 when Father Howard Murphy was sent by the Diocese of Evansville to found a new parish for the Gibson County farming town. The parish school was constructed in 1948, and from the very beginning Holy Cross parish and school have worked hand-in-hand to serve the Fort Branch community as one family.
- Parish founded 1947 by Father Howard Murphy
- School built in 1948 to serve local families
- Generations of students have attended the same building; some returned as teachers
- Now part of a linked-parishes arrangement sharing a pastor with St. Joseph, Princeton
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Cross is served by a small but full parish staff supported by the parish office at 305 E. Walnut Street. Father Gary Kaiser pastors the linked parishes of Holy Cross and St. Joseph, Princeton, and is assisted by Deacon Joe Siewers.
- Father Gary Kaiser — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Joe Siewers — Deacon (with Becky Siewers on parish staff)
- Mrs. Dawn Michel — Business Manager
- Ms. Cheryl Bolton — Administrative Assistant
- Mr. Drew Wilson — Director of Sacred Music
- Mr. Bryan Macke — Youth Director (St. Maria Goretti Youth)
- Chris Wickman — Coordinator of Religious Education / Adult Formation (also serving St. James and Sts. Peter & Paul parishes)
- Laura Schneider — Religious Ed. Assistant & Sacramental Coordinator (school-year sacraments)
- Gerald Weber — OCIA Coordinator
Holy Cross Catholic School
Holy Cross Catholic School, located at 202 South Church Street, is dedicated to providing a quality education so that students grow academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally to attain their full potential. The school has formed lasting partnerships with families in the community, with numerous generations walking through the same building their parents attended.
- Founded in 1948, the year after the parish itself
- Located at 202 South Church Street, Fort Branch, IN 47648-1498
- School office: 812-753-3280; Fax: 812-753-3034
- Principal: Mr. Nathan Winstead
- School Secretary: Mrs. Kathy Sollman
- Classroom teachers across Kindergarten through Fifth Grade, plus specials (Art, Music, Library)
- Crusader Academy pre-school program
- Many faculty members are former students of the school
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education at Holy Cross is parish-based and shared regionally with St. James and Sts. Peter & Paul parishes, giving Holy Cross families access to a broad sacramental and formation program.
- K–12 Religious Education Classes
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA) — coordinated by Gerald Weber
- School-Year Sacraments (Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) — Laura Schneider, Sacramental Coordinator
- Vacation Bible School (seasonal)
- Catholic Scripture Study (Bible study group)
- Welcome Retreat
- Cursillo Program
- Catholics Returning Home
- Called By Name discernment program
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Holy Cross is led by Director of Sacred Music Drew Wilson, supported by a parish choir and a group of Mass ministers who schedule and serve the parish's weekend and weekday liturgies.
- Director of Sacred Music: Drew Wilson
- Parish Choir
- Current Music Ministry Schedule available on the parish website
- Current Mass Ministry Scheduler for lay liturgical roles
Youth Ministry
Holy Cross provides dedicated youth ministry under the name St. Maria Goretti Youth, designed to accompany the parish's young people in faith formation, fellowship, and service.
- St. Maria Goretti Youth Ministry
- Youth Director: Mr. Bryan Macke (812-664-7992)
- Religious Education classes for school-aged youth
Men's Groups & Spiritual Movements
The parish supports an active men's faith group and participates in Catholic spiritual movements that develop community and personal discipleship among adults.
- Journey Men (men's faith group)
- Cursillo Program
- Welcome Retreat
Outreach, Prayer & Service
Holy Cross maintains a strong outreach and prayer life, reaching those who cannot attend Mass and supporting broader Catholic charitable efforts.
- Ministry to the Sick or Homebound
- Prayer Chain (ongoing prayer ministry for intentions)
- Catholic Charities outreach
- First Thursday Adoration
- Traveling Chalice Program
- Automatic Electronic Giving Program
Linked Parishes & Online Resources
Holy Cross shares its pastor and many of its formation resources with neighboring parishes, while also pointing parishioners to well-known diocesan and online Catholic resources.
- Linked parish: St. Joseph, Princeton — shared pastor with Holy Cross
- Regional collaboration on Religious Education with St. James and Sts. Peter & Paul parishes
- Diocese of Evansville (West Deanery) resources linked from parish site
- The Message Online (diocesan publication)
- FORMED online Catholic resource
- Fr. Tony's Nicene Creed Talks
- Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Evansville
- Weekly bulletin available online and by email signup
Contact, Office Hours & Visit Info
The parish office is open weekdays with slightly reduced hours on Friday, and both a general office line and an after-hours priest emergency number are provided for parishioners and visitors.
- Address: 305 E. Walnut Street, Fort Branch, IN 47648-1497
- Parish Office: 812-753-3548
- Priest Emergency: 812-618-4778
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8 AM–3 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM
- Website: www.holycrossparish.info
- New parishioners welcome — registration forms available on the parish website