About Holy Cross · Santa Cruz, California
Holy Cross Catholic Church of Santa Cruz is a vibrant parish in the Diocese of Monterey and the spiritual home of Mission Santa Cruz, the 12th link in the chain of 21 historic California missions. The parish continues the Franciscan missionary legacy begun by Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, successor to Saint Junípero Serra, offering a welcoming community rooted in Eucharist, prayer, and service. Today it serves English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners with daily and Sunday Mass, sacramental preparation, outreach ministries, and religious education for all ages. Its downtown Santa Cruz location invites both longtime parishioners and visitors to encounter Christ in a place of deep historical and spiritual significance.
- Established
- 1791
- Patron
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross
- Rector
- Rev. Manuel Recera
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey
Why belong here
Holy Cross offers a warm, bilingual faith community centered on the Eucharist, the rich heritage of Mission Santa Cruz, and practical outreach to neighbors in need — a place where families, students, and lifelong Catholics can grow together in discipleship.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 pm until finished
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm in the Mission Chapel
History & Heritage
Holy Cross stands on the site of Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. The parish preserves the story of California’s mission era while continuing to serve as an active urban Catholic community.
- 12th mission in the Alta California chain
- Founded by Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén
- Present church built in 1889
- Operated by the Diocese of Monterey since 1859
Worship & Sacraments
The parish offers daily Mass, a Saturday vigil, multiple Sunday liturgies in English and Spanish, regular confession, and Eucharistic adoration each Wednesday.
- Daily Mass Monday–Friday at 8:30 am
- Spanish Mass Wednesday at 6:30 pm
- Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm
- Sunday Masses at 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 am (English) and 12:30 pm (Spanish)
- Saturday Reconciliation at 3:30 pm
- Wednesday Adoration 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Community & Outreach
Holy Cross serves neighbors through direct aid, justice work, and lifelong faith formation for children, youth, and adults.
- Outreach Ministry
- Pax Christi peace and justice group
- Food Pantry
- Faith Formation and RCIA
- High School Youth Ministry
- Holy Cross School and Preschool
- Newman Center campus ministry