About Holy Cross · West Fargo, North Dakota
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in West Fargo, North Dakota, belonging to the Diocese of Fargo. Founded in 1981 as a mission split from Blessed Sacrament Church, it has grown into the largest parish in the diocese, with over 2,100 registered families and more than 6,800 members. On March 20, 2025, Bishop Folda dedicated a brand-new, 18,000-square-foot church (seating over 1,200) with a striking 138-foot bell tower — the culmination of a 44-year dream for the parish community.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- The Holy Cross (the True Cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified)
- Rector
- Father Phil Ackerman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fargo
Why belong here
Holy Cross offers an unusually full sacramental life for a parish its size: ten Masses a week (four on Sunday plus a Saturday vigil), daily noon Mass Monday–Friday, seven scheduled confession slots, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration. It partners with Trinity Catholic Elementary School on the same campus, runs a Religious Education program, and supports a wide range of lay ministries — making it easy for newcomers to get involved and find community.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Monday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
- Tuesday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
- Wednesday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
- Thursday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
- Friday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (First Monday of the month)
Parish Identity and Mission
Holy Cross Catholic Church, founded in 1981, is a faith community rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and dedicated to Christian Unity. Its mission statement (from the parish's own 'About' page) describes striving for holiness, helping individuals and families grow in faith, and serving those in need. The parish celebrates beautiful liturgies with active participation and seeks to extend 'God's loving presence' into everyday encounters.
- Founded 1981
- Diocese of Fargo
- Patron: The Holy Cross
History of Holy Cross Parish
Established in 1981 after a late-1970s feasibility study showed Blessed Sacrament Church could no longer absorb West Fargo's growing Catholic population. Bishop Justin Driscoll chose to give the new community its own building rather than have it share with Lutheran Church of the Cross. Father David Wild broke ground June 1, 1981 and became the first pastor when Bishop Driscoll dedicated the original church on June 6, 1983. The parish worshipped there for 32 years before outgrowing it.
- 1981 parish founded
- 1983 first church dedicated
- 1991 shared social hall built with Lutheran Church of the Cross
The New Church: A 44-Year Dream
After years of growth, the Diocese of Fargo purchased land at 26th Avenue East between 7th Street East and Bluestem Drive. A 2013 groundbreaking produced a gathering hall that doubled as temporary worship space, and Trinity Catholic Elementary School opened on the same campus in 2015. Father Phil Ackerman, named pastor in 2020, shepherded the project through pandemic-era cost spikes; Bishop Folda approved a final design in 2022, and the new church was broken ground on May 11, 2022. The final piece of the 138-foot bell tower was set January 10, 2024; the three bells were raised later that year. The certificate of occupancy was granted in mid-March 2025, and Bishop Folda celebrated the solemn Mass of Dedication on March 20, 2025.
- 18,000+ sq ft; seats over 1,200
- 138-foot bell tower with three bells
- Total project ~$26 million
- Dedicated March 20, 2025 by Bishop Folda
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Father Phil Ackerman, pastor (assigned 2020). He is assisted by Permanent Deacon David Haney, Pastoral Administrator Margaret Keller, and Director of Religious Education Kristina Metcalfe. Father Ackerman can be reached at phillip.ackermanfargodiocese.org or through the parish office at (701) 282-7217.
- Father Phil Ackerman — Pastor
- Deacon David Haney — Permanent Deacon
- Margaret Keller — Pastoral Administrator
- Kristina Metcalfe — Director of Religious Education
Religious Education and School
Faith formation is coordinated by Kristina Metcalfe, Director of Religious Education. Holy Cross also shares its new campus with Trinity Catholic Elementary School, part of the St. John Paul II Catholic School System, which opened in 2015 — giving parish families an on-site Catholic K–6 option.
- Religious Education program (K–12)
- Trinity Catholic Elementary School (connected campus)
- St. John Paul II Catholic School System
Parish Ministries
The parish encourages members to share their gifts of time, talent, and treasure through a broad ministry roster. A downloadable overview is available on the parish website, with individual pages describing each ministry's purpose and commitment.
- Liturgical ministries (servers, lectors, EMHC)
- Music ministry / choir
- Parish councils and committees
- Outreach and service
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father David Wild1983–
First pastor; had broken ground for the original church on June 1, 1981 as Parochial Vicar of Blessed Sacrament.
- Father James Meyerthrough ~2020
Led the move-and-build campaign; oversaw fundraising and design for the new church.
- Father Phil Ackerman2020–present
Named pastor in 2020; shepherded construction to its 2025 dedication.