About Holy Cross · Jackson, Kentucky
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish in Jackson, Kentucky, the county seat of rural Breathitt County in the Appalachian hills of eastern Kentucky. Founded in 1973 and part of the Diocese of Lexington, it serves fewer than thirty parishioners across roughly twelve households and gathers weekly for a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 pm at 51 Brewers Drive. In 2016 the parish joined Mother of Good Counsel in Hazard and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Campton to form the diocesan "Cluster," moving from a resident pastor to a Parish Life Director model of leadership. Holy Cross is a vibrant faith community that, despite its small size, is committed to evangelization, outreach, and ecumenical collaboration throughout Breathitt County.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- Holy Cross (the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lexington
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a small but intentionally close-knit faith community where, as the parish itself puts it, "all are called into mission and ministry." Parishioners gather as a family for weekly Mass, sacramental ministry, and prayer, while reaching outward through evangelization, outreach ministries, and partnerships with other churches and institutions in Breathitt County. It is an ideal parish for Catholics in the Jackson area who want a deeply personal, missionary community rooted in the hills of eastern Kentucky.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half-hour before Saturday Vigil Mass (approximately 4:30 pm)
- By appointment
About Holy Cross Catholic Church
Holy Cross is a small Roman Catholic parish nestled in the hills of Jackson, the seat of Breathitt County in eastern Kentucky. With fewer than thirty parishioners across about a dozen households, the parish describes itself as a community where "all are called into mission and ministry," gathering as a family to pray and grow as missionary disciples.
- Founded in 1973
- Located at 51 Brewers Drive, Jackson, KY 41339
- Approximately 12 households / fewer than 30 parishioners
- Diocese of Lexington, Mountain East Deanery
History of the Parish
Holy Cross Catholic Church was established in 1973 in Jackson, Kentucky. For many years it was served by Franciscan Friars along with neighboring Appalachian parishes in the Diocese of Lexington. In 2016 the parish entered a new chapter when Holy Cross, Mother of Good Counsel in Hazard, and Church of the Good Shepherd in Campton formed what they call the "Cluster," a model of shared leadership and sacramental ministry.
- 1973: parish founded in Jackson, Breathitt County
- Long-term pastoral care by Franciscan Friars
- 2016: transition to the Cluster model with Mother of Good Counsel and Church of the Good Shepherd
- Move from resident pastor to Parish Life Director and traveling sacramental ministers
The Mountain East Deanery Cluster
Since 2016, Holy Cross has been one of three parishes in a diocesan "Cluster" within the Mountain East Deanery. The cluster allows the parishes to share resources, collaborate on ministry, and provide sacramental coverage across Breathitt, Perry, Knott, Leslie, and Wolfe counties. This shared approach has shaped how Holy Cross is staffed and how its Mass and Reconciliation schedule are coordinated.
- Mother of Good Counsel, Hazard (Parish Life Director: Lori Helfrich)
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Campton
- Holy Cross, Jackson
- Shared presbyteral and pastoral collaboration
Parish Staff and Leadership
Because of its Cluster structure, Holy Cross does not have a resident pastor. Day-to-day parish life is led by a Parish Life Director, while sacramental ministry is overseen by a Presbyteral Moderator who serves the wider Cluster.
- Parish Life Director: Sr. Amy Westbrook ([email protected])
- Presbyteral Moderator: Rev. Richard Watson ([email protected])
- Diocesan contact for parish office: (606) 666-7871
Ministries and Outreach
Although small, Holy Cross is explicitly outward-looking. The parish describes its life as one of evangelization, outreach, and collaboration with institutional and ecumenical partners throughout Breathitt County and the wider Appalachian region.
- Evangelization efforts across Breathitt County
- Outreach ministries to those in need
- Ecumenical partnerships with other Christian communities
- Missionary discipleship formation
- Cluster-wide ministries with Mother of Good Counsel and Church of the Good Shepherd
Sacraments and Devotional Life
The parish celebrates the Eucharist weekly at the Saturday Vigil Mass and offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Mass or by appointment. Weekday Word & Communion services and Holy Day liturgies round out the sacramental life of the parish, with details published on the website.
- Eucharist: Saturday 5:00 pm Vigil Mass
- Reconciliation: half-hour before Mass or by appointment
- Weekday Word & Communion services
- Holy Day Masses (see website)
Visit, Contact, and Directions
Visitors and returning parishioners are warmly welcomed at Holy Cross. The parish is located on Brewers Drive in Jackson, Kentucky, and is handicap-accessible. For the most current schedule of Masses, weekday services, and special events, the parish invites everyone to consult its website or call the parish office.
- Address: 51 Brewers Drive, Jackson, KY 41339
- Phone: (606) 666-7871
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.holycrossjackson.org/
- Handicap-accessible facility