About Us
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Our Mission & Beliefs
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Holy Cross Church is eager to be a part of your life and have you as a part of our life. We are committed to growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ, a daily process that requires prayer, sacraments, discipline and a community of individuals striving for the same goal.
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Information for families
- Holy Cross Catholic School
- Holy Cross Religious Education
- Sacramental Preparation
- Vacation Bible School
- Confirmation Preparation
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This is our parochial school for our community. It goes from Pre-Kindergarten to eighth grade. Visit Holy Cross School Page.
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Our Religious Education classes teach our Catholic faith through a hands-on approach, bringing excitement and deeper understanding to our beliefs. They are designed for yearly faith formation for our children, ranging from Kindergarten to sixth grade.
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We work with children and families in preparing the children as they celebrate their Sacraments. We help families with preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Communion. Typically, children are baptized as young children or as babies and they receive their First Reconciliation and First Communion in the second grade. However, many children make all three Sacraments at an older age, too. Confirmation Preparation occurs in high school. Please see Confirmation information below.
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- Each summer, we gather children, teens, and adults of our parish to celebrate our faith in a fun adventure of our Vacation Bible School. Children are in small groups led by our amazing teens and they move through stations during our mornings, experiencing Christ in music, crafts, games, and story. We learn passages from the Bible, we meet new saints each day, and we grow closer to one another as we build our community.
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We help to prepare our teens to make their Confirmation when they are in 10th to 12th grades. We have been working to make this program as engaging and meaningful as possible for our teens, helping them as they prepare to make their final Sacrament of Initiation. Visit our L.I.F.T. Programs Page.
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Church History
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1901
In 1901, the Congregation of Holy Cross were invited by Archbishop Alexander Christie to administer the then Columbia University in Portland, Oregon. Archbishop Christie designated the North Peninsula of Portland as a parish to be called Holy Cross. The first pastor appointed in 1902 was Rev. John Thillman, CSC. Catholics in the north peninsula attended Mass at the Chapel in West Hall at the University. This served as the people’s chapel until a small frame church was built in 1904 on the southwest corner of Bowdoin and Stanford streets.
Brother Joseph, in charge of the farm at the University, brought over his team of horses to break ground for the wooden frame building seating 300, lighted by kerosene lamps and heated by a large pot-bellied wood stove in the left rear corner of the church.
Archbishop Christie dedicated the new church on Sept. 4th, 1904.
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1967-1968
Mass times: 6:00am, 7:30am, 9:00 am 10:15 am and 11:30 am Sundays Pastor: Fr. Valentine Moffenbeier Assistant: Fr. Timothy Murphy In residence: Fr. Leo Remington A quote in September 3, 1967 in welcome to new Curate, Fr. Timothy Murphy, by Pastor Moffenbeir “It is not unusual for old priests who survive a jubilee or two to confess that their first appointment remained their best loved. We hope, Fr. Murphy, you too will confess to the same thought.” Easter Services- Resurrection Mass at 4:45am, 6:00am, 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:15 am and 11:30 am April 4th, 1968 – Special prayers
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1979
Mass times: Saturday evening at 7:00 pm Sunday morning Mass times: 6:00 am 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:15 am and 11:30 am Pastor: Fr. Carl Wachter, Associate: Fr. Michael O’Brien Archbishop Cornelius Michael Power (served as archbishop 1974-1986) confirmed 8th graders at Holy Cross on October 30th, 1979. Archbishop Power also celebrated Columbus Day Mass for the Knights of Columbus on October 12th at Queen of Peace church, with dinner and dance afterward. Sept. 23rd, 1979 Archbishop Power was the celebrant and homilist at the 75th Anniversary of Holy Cross Catholic Church anniversary Mass. Reception in school hall. A commemorative 75th Anniversary booklet: Holy Cross Parish; The Early Years (1904-1915) was sold for a dollar. Photos of the early years were on display at the reception. Holy Cross Cub Scouts Pack 120 donated hours in Oct., Nov. and Dec. for a landscaping: cleaning up, weeding and planting shrubs, bulbs, trees and flower on parish and school grounds. In 1980, they also committed to work groups on the grounds the 2nd Saturday of every month, led by Linda McCoy, Rich Jones, Cathy Kuffner and Chris Gastelum. Holy Cross School Faculty for 1979-1980 Grade 1………..Sister Mary Juanity Grade 2………..Mrs. V. Hayter Grade 3………..Sister Mary Clarina Grade 4………..Sister Rebecca Mary Grade 5………..Mrs. M. Moored Grade 6………..Sister Mary Eusebia and Miss Kathleen Schell Grade 7………..Miss
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1988
Mass times: 5:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass 8:30am and 10:30 am Sundays Fr. Wayne Forbes leaves Holy Cross Parish after serving for 7 years. A Mass of installation for new pastor Fr. Cathal Brennan was held on Sept. 14th, 1988 the feast day of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, 1988. The Holy Cross School Principal was Sr. Mary Ryan, SNJM and her school secretary was Jeanne Albrecht. Organizations and their leaders: Administrative Council- Brigid Fortun, Altar Society – Velva Rees Hospitality – Martha Kovach St. Vincent de Paul – Wanda Humbargar Parents Club – Sue Rupert Music Ensemble leader: David Firth St. Vincent de Paul collected 3,190 lbs of food for the Christmas food drive – food boxes were delivered to those in need on Dec. 24th, 1988.
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1996
Mass times: 5:00 pm Vigil Mass, 9:00am and 11:00 am (in Spanish) Sundays Archbishop John Vlazny, former bishop of Winona, Minn. became the 10th Archbishop of Portland. ‘Go and make disciples,’ is to be the theme of his episcopal service. Sept. 29th, 1996 – the Archdiocese of Portland celebrated throughout Oregon the 150 years of the founding of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. The Holy Cross School Principal was Sr. Mary Ryan, SNJM and school secretary was Sr. Barbara Hand. Organizations and their leaders: Administrative Council- Stephen Kemper Altar Society – Carol Eby Hospitality – Marge Harris St. Vincent de Paul – George FortunIn Parents Club – Dave Erickson Maintenance Committee – Terry Hoffart In 1991, under the leadership of the Legion of Mary, Holy Cross joined a diocesan wide census. Led by Martha Kovach and volunteers, a door to door canvassing of North Portland led to many inactive Catholics being invited to explore Holy Cross. In 1992, Holy Cross held there first Spanish Mass and 50 people attended. Our Latino community of believers has grown to hundreds
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2007
Mass times: Saturday 5:00 pm Vigil Mass, Sunday 8:30am, 10:00 am and 11:30 am (Spanish) Fr. Dave Gutmann served nine years at Holy Cross. Deacon Brett Edmonson, served at Holy Cross for 6-l/2 years. Holy Cross Father John Wironen, CSC residing at the University of Portland, accepts assignment as Pastor of Holy Cross. Ana Carmina Perez, becomes Holy Crosses Hispanic Ministry Coordinator. Holy Cross School Principal: Sister Ruth Frank, SSMO Development Director: Sr. Mary Ryan, SNJM School Secretary: Debbie Walker Choir Director Nancy Wissbaum sings in concert on Sat., Sept. 15th at St. Patrick’s Church in NW Portland, all proceeds went to St. Vincent de Paul. New benches at the entrance to Holy Cross and the Queen of Peace garden in front of the Convent were installed – thanks to Dennis Torresdal, Harry Clark, Claude Faust, Martin Kuntz and Rupert Liddie. Adoration was held the first Monday of each month in the Convent Chapel from 9am to 5pm. The sale of...
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