About Holy Cross · Rochester, New York
Holy Cross Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Charlotte neighborhood of Rochester, New York, belonging to the Diocese of Rochester. Founded in 1862–1863 by French missionary priest Fr. Louis Maurice, it grew from 25 original parishioners into a stable, multigenerational community served today alongside its cluster partner, Our Mother of Sorrows. The parish worships at 4492 Lake Avenue and operates Holy Cross School at 4488 Lake Avenue, a Pre-K through Grade 6 Catholic elementary school that has served the community for over 135 years. Since 2020 the parish has been led by Very Rev. William G. Coffas, VF, who also pastors Our Mother of Sorrows, with the two parishes sharing many ministries while remaining canonically distinct.
- Established
- 1862
- Patron
- The Holy Cross
- Rector
- Very Rev. William G. Coffas, VF
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a stable, multigenerational Eucharistic community on Rochester's Lake Avenue where many parishioners are second or third generation members. Active faith formation for children and youth, a long-standing parish school (Holy Cross School, Pre-K–6), a vibrant music program with a 10 AM livestreamed Sunday Mass, weekly adoration on Wednesdays, daily rosary groups, and a full sacramental and pastoral life make it a place to grow in faith at every age. Since 2020 the parish has shared resources and ministries with its cluster partner Our Mother of Sorrows — including a combined bulletin and joint Lenten retreats — giving newcomers two connected communities to call home.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday, 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM at Holy Cross
- Reconciliation by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday, 1:00 PM – 5:00/6:00 PM — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Cross
History of Holy Cross Parish
Holy Cross began as a mission church in 1862 when Fr. Louis Maurice, a French missionary priest sent by Bishop John Timon of Buffalo, purchased the first strip of land from Luther Jethrods for $1,050. A renovated Mulligan home served as the first church with 25 parishioners, blessed and dedicated by Bishop Timon on the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross. Fr. Maurice continued to travel from Our Mother of Sorrows until Bishop Timon appointed Fr. John J. Donnelly as the parish's first resident pastor on July 7, 1873. The Mulligan house was enlarged several times under early pastors and eventually built out in the shape of a cross, seating 400, with a bell in the west-side belfry.
- 1862 — Land purchased by Fr. Louis Maurice for $1,050
- 1873 — Fr. John J. Donnelly named first resident pastor
- 1881 — Cornerstone laid by Bishop McQuaid (Aug. 28)
- 1882 — Present church dedicated Dec. 10 at a cost of $13,000
- 1920 — Additional land purchased along Lighthouse Street to Latta Road
- 1923 — New bell blessed by Bishop Hickey; Mayer stained-glass windows installed
- 1946–1952 — Fr. Lawrence Casey: major redecoration, Shrine of Our Lady of Peace
- 1954 — Fr. O'Connell's $300,000 Expansion Project (school wing, baptistery)
- 1983 — Centennial Mass celebrated by Bishop Matthew Clark
- 1985 — Fr. Wheeland's renovation rededicated by Bishop Clark (June 1)
- 1999 — New parish center and 70 additional worship seats dedicated by Bishop Clark
- 2017 — Fr. John F. Gagnier becomes thirteenth pastor
- 2020 — Fr. William G. Coffas appointed pastor; Holy Cross clusters with Our Mother of Sorrows
Cluster with Our Mother of Sorrows
Since June 2020, Holy Cross has shared a pastor with neighboring Our Mother of Sorrows under the leadership of Very Rev. William G. Coffas, VF. The two parishes remain canonically distinct, but they share a combined bulletin, joint ministries such as Lenten retreats, and many pastoral and staff resources. The cluster is referred to as the Community of Mother of Sorrows and Holy Cross, and parishioners of both churches regularly engage with one another in worship, formation, and service.
- Our Mother of Sorrows — 5000 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester, NY 14612
- Joint weekend Mass schedule across both church buildings
- Combined parish bulletin and shared staff (music, faith formation, finance, livestream)
- Fr. Coffas's pastoral theme: 'building a bridge to Christ' between the parishes
Pastoral and Office Staff
The parish is led by Very Rev. William G. Coffas, VF, who also serves as Dean of the Monroe Central Deanery. He is assisted by a parochial vicar, a senior priest in residence, a deacon, and a full team of lay ministers and office staff serving both Holy Cross and Our Mother of Sorrows.
- Very Rev. William G. Coffas, VF — Pastor (585-663-5432, ext. 102)
- Rev. Justin Miller — Parochial Vicar (585-663-5432, ext. 122)
- Rev. Robert Schrader — Senior Priest in Residence
- Deacon Joseph Placious
- Cindy Lammes — Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator (585-663-5432, ext. 126)
- Stephanie Hubbel — CASE Coordinator (585-663-5432, ext. 125)
- Dr. Beata Golec — Director of Music (585-663-5432, ext. 124)
- Owen Lozy-Lester — Head Live Streamer
- Christopher Frontale — Finance Director (585-663-5432, ext. 134)
- Donna Petrella — Lay Parish Minister (585-663-2244, ext. 104)
Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School, located at 4488 Lake Avenue, has provided Catholic elementary education within the Charlotte community for over 135 years. The school welcomes students of all faiths and ethnicities in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6, with a faith-centered curriculum following New York State and diocesan standards. The parish describes it as a vital ministry of the parish and a living continuation of over a century of Catholic education in Charlotte.
- Address: 4488 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612
- Phone: (585) 663-6533
- Grades served: Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6
- Principal: Mrs. Rebecca Moodie (Diocese of Rochester directory)
- Features: New York State certified teachers, Title I/AIS academic support, full-time counselor, technology lab, Smartboards, art, music, physical education, full-time nurse
- Special Education services provided by Rochester City School District
- Half-day and full-day Pre-K; full-day Kindergarten
- Before/after care program; CYO sports; instrumental lessons and band
- Hot breakfast and lunch provided by Rochester City School District
- Busing available from most districts
- School hours: 8:00 AM – 2:35 PM
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation at Holy Cross is coordinated jointly with Our Mother of Sorrows and other Northwest-area parishes. The program offers multiple options to fit family schedules, including family inter-generational sessions, weekly classes, summer camp, home study, and middle and high school tracks. Sacramental preparation for First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation is parish-based and follows diocesan requirements.
- Family Faith Formation — twice-monthly sessions alternating between parishes
- Weekly classes and home-study options
- Summer camp option
- First Penance and First Holy Communion preparation (begins in fall; requires prior year of formation)
- Confirmation — two-year program beginning in grade 8, celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults ('Becoming Catholic')
- Coordinator: Cindy Lammes (585-663-5432, ext. 126)
- Regional website: nwfaith.org
Ministries and Parish Life
Holy Cross offers a wide range of lay-led ministries, devotion groups, and service organizations that span the generations. The parish mission statement describes itself as an 'Eucharistic Community' that welcomes all, nurtures faith, and sends forth parishioners to serve. The contemporary music ensemble and adult choir provide music at Mass, and the parish maintains an active livestream ministry on its YouTube channel.
- Women's Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (monthly meeting)
- Good Shepherd Memorial Society
- Catholic Ministries Appeal
- IGNITE youth ministry
- CYO Sports
- Blessed Grimoaldo Santamaria Altar Servers League
- Music Ministry — adult choir and contemporary ensemble (Dr. Beata Golec)
- Live-streaming ministry (YouTube: holycrossrochester)
Sacraments Offered
As a parish of the Diocese of Rochester, Holy Cross celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with preparation programs for those entering the Church or moving through Christian initiation. Sacramental records are maintained at the parish office.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion and ongoing Sunday Mass)
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
Church Building and Campus
The present Holy Cross Church was constructed in 1881–1882 at a cost of $13,000 and sits on Lake Avenue immediately adjacent to the historic Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse. The campus has grown over more than a century to include a rectory, convent, parish school, and parish center. Major renovations in 1985 created a new sanctuary and Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and a 1998–99 project added additional worship seating and a parish center.
- 4492 Lake Avenue — Holy Cross Church
- 4488 Lake Avenue — Holy Cross School
- Rectory built in 1887
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel added in 1985 (wrought-iron gates with medallions depicting the sacraments)
- Shrine of Our Lady of Peace completed by 1952
- St. Anthony Shrine built by parishioners in the 1950s
- Parish center dedicated January 3, 1999 by Bishop Matthew Clark
- Adjacent to Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse; surplus federal land acquired 1977
Contact, Office Hours, and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. The office is open on Mondays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Newcomers are warmly invited to register as parishioners; the parish emphasizes personal welcome and getting to know each new member.
- Address: 4492 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612
- Phone: (585) 663-2244
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Website: www.holycrossrochester.org
- Live-streamed and recorded Masses: youtube.com/user/holycrossrochester
- New parishioner registration available on the parish website and at moshc.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Louis Maurice1856–1873
French missionary priest who founded the mission church of Holy Cross in 1862 and served it from Our Mother of Sorrows until a resident pastor was appointed.
- Fr. John J. Donnelly1873–
First resident pastor, appointed July 7, 1873 by Bishop Timon.
- Fr. Thomas Henricks
Early resident pastor; oversaw enlargements of the Mulligan-house church.
- Fr. Simon FitzSimmons
Early resident pastor.
- Fr. John Fitzgerald
Fourth resident pastor; led fundraising for the present 1881–1882 church.
- Fr. McCabeto c. 1923
Purchased additional land along Lighthouse Street to Latta Road; oversaw tower completion, new bell blessed by Bishop Hickey in 1923, Stations of the Cross, and the Mayer stained-glass windows.
- Fr. William Payne
Pastor during the early twentieth-century redecorations.
- Fr. Lawrence Casey1946–1952
Expanded parish land, replaced roof with slate, modernized altars and pews, redecorated, added south entrance, modernized the rectory, completed the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace.
- Fr. Joseph O'Connell1952–1955
Led the $300,000 1954 Expansion Project: north school wing, enlarged convent, north entrance, baptistery and mothers' room, additional Pike stained-glass windows.
- Fr. Robert Fennessyfrom 1955
Completed O'Connell's plans; oversaw construction of the St. Anthony Shrine by parishioners.
- Fr. Thomas H. Wheelandfrom 1982
Led the major 1985 renovation: new sanctuary, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, cross installation, new colors and carpet, baptistery relocation, reconciliation room, stained-glass protection; rededicated June 1, 1985 by Bishop Clark.
- Fr. John F. GagnierJune 2017 – June 2020
Thirteenth pastor; secured parish finances and continued faith formation.
- Very Rev. William G. Coffas, VFJune 2020 – present
Appointed by Bishop Matano in 2020 to also pastor Holy Cross while remaining pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows, forming today's two-parish cluster.