About Holy Cross · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish serving Northeast Minneapolis from its 1928 basilica-style church at 1621 University Avenue NE. As part of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (in communion with Archbishop Bernard Hebda), it is a multi-campus parish that today encompasses four houses of worship: Holy Cross, St. Clement, St. Hedwig, and the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel at Catholic Eldercare, spanning the eastern bank of the Mississippi from Hennepin Avenue north to 37th Avenue. Founded in 1886 by Polish immigrants at the invitation of Bishop John Ireland, it is the only parish in the Archdiocese that offers a Polish-language Sunday Mass (11:30 AM) and remains the spiritual center of the Twin Cities Polish community. The present edifice, designed by Polish architect Victor Cordella, was completed in 1928 and is celebrated for its stained glass, Italian marble altars, and rose window.
- Established
- 1886
- Patron
- Holy Cross (with co-patrons St. Anthony of Padua, St. Clement of Rome, and St. Hedwig, patroness of Poland, drawn from the formerly independent parishes that merged in 2013)
- Rector
- Fr. Spencer Howe
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Holy Cross welcomes Catholics from across the Twin Cities into a historic Polish basilica that still offers the Archdiocese's only Polish-language Sunday Mass, alongside a full English schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, confession, and Eucharistic adoration at multiple campuses. It is also home to the regional St. John Paul II Catholic Preparatory School (K–8) and a thriving Polish Saturday School drawing families from up to two hours away. Parish life is rooted in reverent liturgy (with Dr. Sam Backman as Director of Sacred Music/Liturgical Life), robust lifelong discipleship and outreach, youth formation, marriage preparation, baptism and family-life ministries, and a longstanding vocation to serve Polish Catholics and the wider Northeast Minneapolis community.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30 AM — Holy Cross (English)
- Sunday 11:00 AM — Holy Cross (Polish or English, preceding the 11:30 AM Polish Mass)
- Sunday 5:30 PM — Holy Cross (English)
- Wednesday 5:00 PM — Holy Cross
- Saturday 7:00 AM on the First Saturday of the Month — Holy Cross
- Saturday 2:45 PM — St. Hedwig campus
- First Sunday of every month after the 11:15 AM Mass — St. Clement
Adoration times
- Monday 7:15 AM – 11:00 AM (Holy Cross)
- Tuesday 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM (St. Hedwig campus)
- Wednesday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Holy Cross)
- Thursday 7:15 AM – 8:15 AM (Holy Cross)
- Friday 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Holy Cross)
Parish Identity & Mission
Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic parish in Northeast Minneapolis, in communion with Archbishop Bernard Hebda and in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. As a multi-campus parish encompassing four houses of worship — Holy Cross, St. Clement, St. Hedwig, and the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel at Catholic Eldercare — it stretches along the eastern bank of the Mississippi from Hennepin Avenue north to 37th Avenue. The parish describes its territory as 'both our home and our mission-field,' striving to serve those who live nearby as well as those who travel from a distance for the sacraments, reverent liturgy, sound Catholic teaching, authentic community and openness to those in need. Its unifying standard is the Cross of Christ: 'As the world spins, the Cross stands firm.'
- Multi-campus parish under one name: Holy Cross
- In communion with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
- Four houses of worship across NE Minneapolis
History of Holy Cross Parish
The Polish Catholic community of Northeast Minneapolis organized a parish committee in 1884 under Father Dominic Majer of St. Adalbert's in St. Paul. Bishop John Ireland signed the Articles of Incorporation for the Church of the Holy Cross (Bazylika Świętego Krzyża) on 21 August 1886; they were filed on 3 September and the parish was dedicated that month with Father James Pacholski as first pastor. The original 1851 St. Anthony of Padua church—the first church built in Minneapolis—was purchased and moved to parish lots at 17th Avenue and 4th Street NE, then replaced by a larger brick church designed by parish member Anthony Wasielewski in 1892. By the 1920s the community again outgrew its building, and Polish architect Victor Cordella designed the present basilica-style edifice, whose cornerstone was laid by Archbishop Dowling on 4 July 1927 and which was dedicated on 16 September 1928.
- 1884 — Polish organizing committee formed
- 1886 — Articles of Incorporation signed; parish dedicated; Fr. James Pacholski first pastor
- 1886 — Original 1851 St. Anthony of Padua church moved to parish lots
- 1892 — Second brick church built (architect Anthony Wasielewski)
- 1927 — Cornerstone of present church laid 4 July
- 1928 — Dedication by Archbishop Dowling on 16 September
The Merged Campuses
The 2013 merger united three formerly independent Polish-heritage parishes under the Holy Cross name, each with its own story. Together they preserve more than a century and a half of continuous Catholic presence in Northeast Minneapolis and trace their roots back through St. Anthony of Padua (1849), Minneapolis's first Catholic parish.
St. Clement of Rome
Saint Clement Parish began in April 1902 in a small white frame church at 25th Avenue and Quincy Street with the arrival of its first pastor, Reverend Robert Fitzgerald. Father Fitzgerald organized construction of the present church, with cornerstone laid 7 September 1913 and dedication by Archbishop John Ireland on 24 May 1914. The parish is named for Clement of Rome, Pope and Martyr of the first century, whose Letter to the Corinthians provides the earliest post-Biblical evidence of the Roman Primacy.
- First pastor: Rev. Robert Fitzgerald
- Cornerstone laid 7 September 1913
- Dedicated by Archbishop John Ireland, 24 May 1914
St. Hedwig
The roots of St. Hedwig trace back to Holy Cross, from which it was formed in 1914. Named after the thirteenth-century Duchess of Silesia and Patroness of Poland (and of 'wise and strong women'), the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day 1914. Sixteen devoted Catholics together made a substantial financial contribution toward purchasing the six lots on the west side of University Avenue where the church and school were built. St. Hedwig is the spiritual center of the attached River Village Catholic Eldercare community.
- Formed from Holy Cross parish in 1914
- First Mass on Christmas Day 1914
- Named for St. Hedwig, Patroness of Poland
St. Anthony of Padua Chapel at Catholic Eldercare
The original Catholic parish in Minneapolis, St. Anthony of Padua is named in connection with nearby St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River — discovered by the Belgian missionary Fr. Louis Hennepin in 1680 and named after his personal patron saint. Today St. Anthony is the spiritual center of one of Northeast's two Catholic Eldercare communities, and the chapel ministers to Eldercare residents and staff. Its motto, inscribed on the obelisk in St. Peter's Square, reads: 'Ecce Crucem Domini, fugit partes adversae, vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David, Alleluia!'
- Descended from Minneapolis's first Catholic parish (1849)
- Named for the falls discovered by Fr. Louis Hennepin in 1680
- Chapel at Catholic Eldercare, serving residents and staff
The Polish Community at Holy Cross
Holy Cross was established by Bishop John Ireland at the request of the Polish immigrant community in NE Minneapolis in 1886 and has remained the spiritual center of the Twin Cities Polish ethnic community without interruption since. The parish has long enjoyed the residence of Polish priests of the Society of Christ Fathers (Towarzystwo Chrystusowe), who minister specifically to Catholics of the Polish diaspora. Polish families within a two-hour radius travel to Holy Cross grounds for their children's Polish Saturday School, for committee meetings organizing cultural events, for historical lectures, and for Polish-language Masses. The community continues to be nourished by recent Polish immigration.
- Society of Christ Fathers (Towarzystwo Chrystusowe) in residence
- Polish Saturday School for children of Polish families
- 11:30 AM Sunday Polish Mass — only one in the Archdiocese
Architecture & Interior
Holy Cross possesses one of the most beautiful and classical church interiors in the Archdiocese. Outstanding features include detailed stained-glass windows in the nave depicting biblical figures, saints and Doctors of the Church; a rose window over the organ loft; a breathtaking sanctuary with Minnesota granite pillars and altars of Italian marble; and stained-glass windows hovering over the altar depicting the Seven Sacraments. There is an altarpiece of the Crucifixion and many statues and side altars of Polish saints and figures. The church has undergone several renovations since its 1928 dedication.
- Designed by Polish architect Victor Cordella
- Cornerstone laid 4 July 1927, dedicated 16 September 1928
- Stained-glass windows of biblical figures, saints, Doctors of the Church
- Rose window over the organ loft
- Sanctuary: Minnesota granite pillars, Italian marble altars, altarpiece of the Crucifixion
- Windows above the altar depicting the Seven Sacraments
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Spencer Howe as pastor, supported by an associate team of priests from very different backgrounds — including members of the Society of Christ Fathers serving the Polish community. A lay staff coordinates music, lifelong formation, youth ministry, marriage prep, baptism and family life, business administration, and office management.
- Fr. Spencer Howe — Pastor
- Fr. John Rumpza — Parochial Administrator (appointed during Fr. Howe's sabbatical)
- Fr. Miroslaw (Fr. Miro) Szynal — Parochial Vicar (Society of Christ Fathers)
- Fr. Cyprian Czop — Parochial Vicar for Polonia
- Fr. Justus Musinguizi — Parochial Vicar (from the Diocese of Butare, Rwanda)
- Dr. Sam Backman — Director of Sacred Music/Liturgical Life
- Hanna McLevish — Administrative Assistant to Clergy and Pastoral Care
- John Gendreau — Business Administrator, Safe Environment
- Elizabeth Brown — Marriage Formation Coordinator
- Bernadette Demers — Youth Discipleship Associate
- James Bueltel — Office Manager
- Grant O'Neil — Director of Lifelong Discipleship & Outreach
- Laura Andersen — Family Life and Baptism Coordinator
- Tom Johannes — Maintenance Associate
Fr. Spencer Howe — Pastor's Story
Fr. Spencer Howe arrived in Northeast Minneapolis in the summer of 2017 at the invitation of Archbishop Hebda and serves also the regional St. John Paul II Catholic School. From before his priestly ordination in May 2013 he understood his priesthood to have a 'missionary bent' in 'a new apostolic age of challenge and opportunity.' He has announced his reappointment to a new six-year term and, together with collaborators, has launched the Northeast Catholic Collective — an initiative aimed at bringing young adults and Millennials together across the Catholic community in Northeast Minneapolis through socializing, catechesis, teaching and common programming.
- Arrived in NE Minneapolis, summer 2017
- Ordained May 2013
- Reappointed by Archbishop Hebda for a new six-year term
- Initiated Northeast Catholic Collective for young adults and Millennials
Faith Formation & Schools
The parish is the spiritual home of two distinctive schools. St. John Paul II Catholic Preparatory School (K–8, with around 120 students and Principal Edgar Alfonzo) sits east of the main Holy Cross church and was originally formed in 1969 as Northeast Regional Catholic School through the consolidation of eight area parish elementary schools. The Polish Saturday School, meanwhile, draws Polish families from up to a two-hour radius and teaches Polish language, faith and culture; about 100 children attend.
- St. John Paul II Catholic Preparatory School (K–8)
- Originally Northeast Regional Catholic School, formed in 1969
- Principal: Edgar Alfonzo
- Polish Saturday School — about 100 children enrolled
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish welcomes parishioners and visitors into the full sacramental life of the Church. Baptism is coordinated through the Family Life and Baptism Coordinator; marriage preparation through the Marriage Formation Coordinator; and confession is offered regularly across all campuses (see schedule above). A dedicated pastoral care chaplain ministers at the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel at Catholic Eldercare, and the parish operates an after-hours emergency line for last rites.
- Baptism — Laura Andersen, Family Life and Baptism Coordinator
- Marriage preparation — Elizabeth Brown, Marriage Formation Coordinator
- Confession — regular schedule across campuses (English and Polish)
- Pastoral Care at Catholic Eldercare
- After-hours pastoral emergency line for accidents or last rites
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and reachable at 612-930-0860 and [email protected]. Holy Cross is located off of 16th and University in Northeast Minneapolis, with handicap-accessible parking at 16th and University. The other campuses are St. Clement (901/911 24th Ave NE), St. Hedwig (129 29th Ave NE), and the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel (129 29th Ave NE / 804 2nd St NE).
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Handicap parking at 16th and University
- After-hours pastoral emergency line for last rites
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Pacholski1886–
First pastor; newly ordained when sent by Bishop John Ireland to found the Polish parish in Minneapolis; preached at the 1928 dedication of the present church as Monsignor Pacholski.
- Fr. Joseph Cieminski
Became pastor after Pacholski; celebrated the Solemn High Mass at the 1928 dedication of the new Holy Cross church and worked to reunify the parish and rekindle devotion among parishioners.
- Fr. Max Kiesmit1914–
First pastor of St. Hedwig, formed from Holy Cross in 1914.
- Fr. Robert Fitzgerald1902–1914
First pastor of St. Clement parish; organized construction of the present St. Clement church, dedicated by Archbishop Ireland on 24 May 1914.
- Fr. Spencer Howe2017–
Current pastor; arrived summer 2017, appointed by Archbishop Hebda; previously announced reappointed for a new six-year term.