On the eastern bank of the Mississippi, where the avenues of Minneapolis climb gently northward, Holy Cross Catholic Church has been a spiritual center for more than 175 years. The parish was founded by Polish immigrants in 1886, and its Articles of Incorporation - the Church of the Holy Cross, or Bazylika Świętego Krzyża - were signed by Bishop John Ireland on 21 August of that year. The cornerstone for the present church was laid on 4 July 1927, and Archbishop Dowling celebrated the Dedication Mass on 16 September of the following year.
Today the parish is a multi-campus family of four houses of worship: Holy Cross at 1621 University Avenue NE, St. Clement at 901 24th Avenue NE, St. Hedwig at 129 29th Avenue NE, and St. Anthony of Padua Chapel at 813 Main Street NE inside Catholic Eldercare. Together they cover a corridor along the eastern bank of the Mississippi from Hennepin Avenue running north to 37th Avenue. The unifying standard is the glorious Cross of Christ - "Stat Crux dum volvitur orbis," "As the world spins, the Cross stands firm." Three patron saints round out the parish identity: St. Anthony of Padua, St. Clement of Rome, and St. Hedwig, patroness of Poland and of wise and strong women.
Mission and Vision: A Spiritual Center for the City
The parish mission statement names Holy Cross as "a spiritual center and historic multi-campus parish in Northeast Minneapolis, which cultivates an intergenerational community rooted in the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic Christian Faith." The vision goes further: "Building upon our Polish and immigrant heritage, we renew our city in Christ by fostering growth in holiness, vibrant family life, and community outreach through the reverent celebration of the Roman Rite and the formation of lifelong disciples."
The parish points to four anchors for that vision. As a spiritual center, it stands as a house of prayer in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis. As an intergenerational community, it gathers disciples of all ages, cultures, and languages to pray, give, and serve. As an expression of beauty, goodness, and truth, it leads especially with the "Way of Beauty," a focus on music and the arts. And as the home of Minnesota's only Catholic Polish Apostolate, it continues to embrace the heritage that founded it.
Pastor Fr. Spencer Howe often writes about what he calls the parish's mission-field: Northeast Minneapolis. In one bulletin reflection he quoted Pope Leo XIV's monthly intention, "For evangelization in the city," noting that "our city too is marked by such anonymity, isolation, fragmentation and profound loneliness." The parish, he wrote, "must discover creative paths to build community."
The Story of Each Campus
Holy Cross. When Polish Catholics in Northeast Minneapolis learned they would be able to have a Polish priest, they asked Bishop John Ireland for permission to build a church. The result is one of the most beautiful and classical church interiors in the Archdiocese. The detailed stained-glass windows in the nave depict icons of biblical figures, saints, and Doctors of the Church. A rose window sits over the organ loft, the sanctuary is framed by pillars and altars of Italian marble, and the stained glass above the altar depicts the Seven Sacraments. The 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is the only Polish-language Sunday Mass in the Archdiocese and is preceded by Polish or English confession at 11:00 a.m.
St. Hedwig. Named after the thirteenth-century Duchess of Silesia, St. Hedwig is patroness of Poland. The first Mass there was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1914. The Polish immigrant community in Northeast Minneapolis was growing rapidly at the time, and the parish was made possible when sixteen devoted Catholics together made a substantial financial contribution toward the purchase of six lots on the west side of University Avenue. St. Hedwig is today the spiritual center of the attached River Village Catholic Eldercare community.
St. Clement. Saint Clement Parish had its beginnings in April 1902 in a little white frame church at 25th Avenue and Quincy Street with the arrival of its first pastor, Reverend Robert Fitzgerald. The cornerstone for the present church was laid on 7 September 1913, and Archbishop John Ireland dedicated the new building on 24 May 1914. The church is named for Clement of Rome, Pope and Martyr of the first century of Christianity. Pope Clement's Letter to the Corinthians contains the earliest post-Biblical evidence of the exercise of the Roman Primacy.
St. Anthony of Padua. The original Catholic parish in Minneapolis, St. Anthony of Padua is named in connection with nearby St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi. The great Belgian missionary priest and explorer Fr. Louis Hennepin discovered the falls in 1680 and named them after his personal patron saint. The motto of St. Anthony inscribed on the great obelisk in St. Peter's Square reads: "Ecce Crucem Domini, Fugit partes adversae, vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David, Alleluia!" - "Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee you armies of the enemy, for the Lion of the Tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has conquered, Alleluia!" St. Anthony is today the spiritual center of the first of Northeast's two Catholic Eldercare communities.
Sacred Music and the Way of Beauty
The parish holds Sacred Music in high esteem as an essential and integral part of Divine Worship. As the parish writes, "The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is intended to be a foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet, and Sacred Scripture - particularly the Book of Revelations - makes frequent reference to the celestial beings praising God in song." Holy Cross is committed to fostering excellence in its music at each of its three campuses.
Director of Sacred Music Dr. Samuel Backman chairs a multi-faceted music program across the campuses, serving as principal organist and as conductor and founder of several ensembles. His biography notes that he is a composer, conductor, and virtuoso organist based in the Twin Cities, that he has been featured on Pipedreams, the nationally syndicated radio broadcast hosted by Michael Barone, and that his doctoral research at the University of Oklahoma focused on the influence of the study of oratory rhetoric upon the development of the genre of the Passacaglia.
The choral program is rich. The Holy Cross Gallery Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings and sings weekly for the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, Holy Days of Obligation, and other special services. Its repertoire spans Gregorian chant to sacred works composed in the present day, and its membership ranges from high school students through retirees, drawn from many walks of life. The Saint Helena Singers are a select group of four to eight voices drawn from the Gallery Choir, primarily devoted to Renaissance and Baroque music. The Tenebrae Choir sings polyphonic responsories for Tenebrae on Good Friday and other special liturgies, drawing membership from beyond the parish. The Holy Cross Polish Choir provides musical leadership for the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Polish Mass and Holy Days of Obligation; because this ensemble sings primarily in Polish, members must be at least fluent in the phonetics of the Polish language. Cantors provide musical leadership at Masses without a choir.
Concerts and special events fill out the year. Past and upcoming performances have included world premieres from Dr. Backman, visits from period-instrument ensembles such as La Grande Bande, candlelit Advent Lessons and Carols in English and Polish, and the complete organ works of Maurice Duruflé performed by Dr. Backman himself. Polish hymnody forms an essential part of the parish's musical fabric.
Behind all of this is the organ of Holy Cross. Parts of the instrument predate the current building: Holy Cross purchased a 15-rank mechanical-action organ from the Hinners Organ Company of Pekin, Illinois in 1908. Upon completion of the present church in 1928 the organ was refurbished for the new choir loft; in 1958 it was rebuilt and enlarged by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois; in 1994 it underwent substantial repairs due to a fire; and in 1997 additions including the regal Tuba Mirabilis stop were made. At present the organ contains 36 ranks, three manuals, and over 2,200 pipes.
Faith Formation for the Whole Family
Faith Formation at Holy Cross engages the whole family in Catholic teaching, active-participatory liturgical formation, and an encounter with God in Jesus Christ through Sacred Scripture. The program is rooted in the principle that parents and guardians are the primary educators of children. Rather than a strict grade-level model, families learn together in small groups with other parish families. Three weeks out of the month, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Youth Group are offered for all children enrolled, and both are required for students preparing for First Reconciliation/Communion and Confirmation. The first Sunday of the month is dedicated to supplemental formation for First Communicants using the Baltimore Catechism.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered on a bi-weekly basis for preschool and elementary children, using a Montessori learning environment called the atrium that incorporates beauty and silence in a prepared setting. Levels serve ages 3 through 6, and the parish calls on volunteers with skills in sculpting, painting, embroidery, calligraphy, lamination cutting, woodworking, and poster-making to support the atrium.
Confirmation preparation is open to baptized youth rising into eighth grade and older. The process is described as "Spirit-led," focused on cultivating an understanding of and relationship with the Holy Spirit; "Ownership," helping confirmands recall and reaffirm the baptismal vows made on their behalf as infants; and "Personalized," discerning what God is calling each person to - the spiritual and practical gifts He has given, the vocations He may call them to, and the people He is giving them to serve. Aspirants are asked to participate in the parish's Youth Group.
First Reconciliation and Communion is a one-year process requiring participation in Faith Formation classes on Sunday mornings after the 9:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross, as well as occasional Wednesday evenings. The parish strongly encourages families to continue enrollment even when not preparing for a sacrament, since the program is geared to helping families grow and remain together in the faith.
Becoming Catholic at Holy Cross
The path to becoming Catholic begins with Discovering Christ, a four-session series plus a one-day retreat, offered on Tuesday evenings from October through October at Kolbe Hall. Each session includes a shared meal, communal prayer, a presentation, and small group discussion. The annual focus has been on the Last Words of Jesus in each of the four Gospels: Matthew, "I am with you always, until the end of the age"; Mark, "Go into the whole world"; Luke, "Stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high"; and John, "What concern is that of yours? You follow Me."
From there, Discovering Catholicism takes place on Sundays from October through May at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Library. This seminar-style class with small group discussion goes deeper into the truths and teachings of the Catholic faith. For those discerning to join the Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation, the process culminates in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), the current name for what was long known as RCIA. Each person involved is accompanied by a sponsor who walks with them on the journey. The process culminates at the Easter Vigil.
The parish also subscribes to FORMED, an online platform that gives parishioners free access to Catholic audio talks, movies, e-books, and video-based studies from providers like the Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, Catholic Answers, Sophia Institute Press, and the St. Paul Center.
Small Groups and Lifelong Discipleship
Small groups at Holy Cross grew out of the parish's strong representation in the 2021 Archdiocesan Synod process, when about 90 parishioners took part in Synod Small Groups. Today, the parish offers groups for every age and demographic. Groups meet twice a month in the homes of their members at a time convenient to the group, providing the opportunity for the deep friendships and faith-filled support the parish sees as vital to growing in the faith and persevering through life's difficulties. New members are warmly welcomed.
Adoration, Prayer, and Devotions
Adoration is the heartbeat of the parish. The chapel is well-stocked with rosaries, bibles, and other guides to prayer. The regular adoration schedule opens Monday through Friday at Holy Cross from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m.; Mondays at Holy Cross from 7:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Tuesdays at St. Hedwig from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wednesdays at Holy Cross from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.; and Thursdays at St. Hedwig from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sign-ups for regular or substitute adorers are managed through the parish's Adoration Pro page.
On the First Saturday of each month, the parish hosts Adoration and Confession beginning at 7:00 a.m. at Holy Cross, with the public recitation of the Rosary and Fatima prayers, followed by an 8:00 a.m. Ordinary Form Latin Mass. This follows the Five First Saturdays devotion as outlined by Our Lady of Fatima to Lucia in Pontevedra, Spain in 1925.
The parish offers a rich tapestry of other devotional and prayer opportunities:
- The Prayer Line is an intercessory prayer ministry, with requests sent in by parishioners and the wider community.
- The Prayer Shawl Ministry, begun in May 2007, has given out more than 650 handmade shawls to parishioners and friends in need of prayers and comfort. Shawls are crafted with prayer and blessed by a priest before they are presented. The ministry meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Library at Holy Cross.
- The Rosary Guild, part of the Holy Cross Council of Catholic Women, gathers women of the parish for spiritual growth, fellowship, and activities to support the parish and local charities.
- The Seven Sisters Apostolate, conceived and started by Janette Howe, mother of Fr. Howe, before his ordination, dedicates seven women to pray one hour each week for a single priest in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Mass Intentions can be requested for the repose of a loved one, for celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries, in thanksgiving for graces received, or for someone in physical or spiritual trouble.
- Weekly Bulletin Intercessions list those in need of prayers, with names generally rotating off the list after three weeks.
Pastoral Care and Community Outreach
Pastoral Care Ministry aims to be a two-way connection between the parish and those who may not be able to be regularly present. The ministry includes the parish intercessory prayer line, the prayer shawl ministry, collaboration with parish clergy to bring Holy Communion to those with limited mobility, homebound parishioner visits, funeral luncheon hospitality, and ongoing support to families who have lost loved ones.
Community Outreach takes the Works of Mercy as its framework: feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead, alongside the spiritual works of mercy such as instructing, advising, consoling, and comforting. The parish writes: "We cannot be indifferent to the needs of our neighbors nor turned in on ourselves as a parish."
Adult Ministries: Liturgical, Pastoral, and Outreach
The parish invites adults to serve in three broad areas. Liturgical ministries include lector, altar server, usher, sacristan, and music ministry. Pastoral care ministries include the prayer line, prayer shawl ministry, communion calls, homebound visits, funeral hospitality, and bereavement support. Community outreach takes shape through various Works of Mercy throughout the year.
All volunteers who interact with minors or vulnerable adults are required to complete and maintain Safe Environment credentials through the Archdiocese, including a criminal background check, a signed Code of Conduct, and safe environment training. Re-credentialing is required every three years.
Marriage Preparation and Weddings
Weddings at Holy Cross are often booked around nine months in advance. All engaged couples must complete the Holy Cross Pre-Cana program, which unfolds over seven to nine months. The process includes an initial meeting with a priest, three Pre-Cana Cohort mini-retreats on different topics relating to Christian marriage, the Fully Engaged pre-marital inventory, meetings with an assigned Mentor Couple, a Natural Family Planning course, a liturgy planning meeting with the Director of Sacred Music, and an optional Archdiocesan Living God's Love retreat.
Saturday weddings can be at 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., or 2:00 p.m. Bridal parties need to vacate the church by 3:30 p.m. for evening Confession and Mass. Rehearsals for Saturday weddings are held on the previous Friday at 5:00 p.m.; rehearsals for Friday weddings on the previous Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
The Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments.
- Baptism. The parish encourages Baptism as soon as reasonably possible after birth. Parents are asked to fill out a Baptism Registration Form; group Pre-baptismal Engagement Sessions are held once a month. Children seven or older go through a Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) program.
- Holy Eucharist is received at daily and Sunday Mass across the campuses.
- Confirmation is open to baptized youth in eighth grade and older, with preparation rooted in the Holy Spirit, ownership of baptismal promises, and personalized discernment.
- Reconciliation (Confession) is offered at all three campuses according to the published schedule.
- Holy Matrimony follows the Pre-Cana process described above.
- Holy Orders. The parish prays at the beginning of each weekend Mass that the Lord will bless the Archdiocese with many priests, deacons, and religious, and hopes that some of those vocations will come from within Holy Cross itself.
- Anointing of the Sick may be received before surgery, in cases of chronic illness or advanced age, or in danger of death. Holy Communion can also be brought to the sick and homebound.
The Polish Community
Holy Cross is proud to be home to Minnesota's only full-service Catholic Polish Apostolate. The Polish community gathers around the Eucharist celebrated in Polish, shared cultural events, fellowship, and a Saturday Polish school for children and youth. Polish Masses are at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and 7:00 p.m. on Fridays, followed by coffee and cake. Confessions before Mass are at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays and 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. Polish-language bulletins are included in the parish bulletin.
The Nordeast Catholic Underground
The Nordeast Catholic Underground is a regular evening of Exposition and Presentation, held at St. Clement Church and inspired by the Catholic Underground founded in New York City by the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. The first hour is Exposition: Eucharistic Adoration, Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, prayerful music, times of silence, and the availability of Confession. The second hour is Presentation: an artistic performance of music, theater, film, art, poetry, or dance. The evenings are alcohol-free and N/A beverages are provided. Past presenters have included Catholic singer-songwriters, a film about a Catholic missionary, a poetry open mic, and worship leaders from around the country.
Art-A-Whirl and the Nordeast Polish Fest
Each year Holy Cross participates in Northeast Minneapolis's Art-A-Whirl, the largest open studio tour in the state. The St. Clement campus hosts a weekend of art, food, music, church tours, and "Make It - Take It" activities, with dozens of Catholic and other artists exhibiting and selling their work. Featured artists have included rosary makers, iconographers, jewelers who repurpose vintage Catholic medals, sacred art collectives, portrait painters, illustrators, ceramicists, folk artists celebrating Polish heritage, photographers, and woodworkers.
The Nordeast Polish Fest, hosted at the Holy Cross campus, brings together Polish food, music, and culture each fall and is supported by a long list of parish sponsors and donors.
The Brya Family Endowment
Stanley Brya and Felicia Skorupska emigrated from Poland around 1912, married, and settled in Northeast Minneapolis, where they raised four children whose lives centered on Holy Cross parish and school. As part of the intentional stewardship of the family, Holy Cross Catholic Church was named the sole beneficiary of an endowment established at the Catholic Community Foundation. Each year the parish receives a disbursement of the accumulated interest. Mass intentions are regularly offered for the eternal repose of the members of the Brya family.
Clergy and Staff
The parish is served by three priests: Fr. Spencer Howe, Pastor; Fr. Miroslaw Szynal, Parochial Vicar for Polonia; and Fr. John Rumpza, Parochial Vicar. Fr. Howe, a convert to Catholicism in high school, was ordained in Rome in 2013, served at Divine Mercy in Faribault, St. John Neumann in Eagan, and Holy Name of Jesus near Wayzata before his current assignment. He is chaplain and board member of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton and host of the Minneapolis Chesterton Society, which meets monthly at St. Clement Church.
Ministry leadership includes Dr. Samuel Backman, Director of Sacred Music and Liturgical Life; Grant O'Neil, Director of Lifelong Discipleship and Outreach; Laura Andersen, Family Life and Baptism Coordinator; and Madeline Tahnk, Marriage Formation Coordinator.
Visit, Connect, and Give
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is located at 1621 University Avenue NE in Minneapolis. Handicap parking is accessible on 16th and University. The After-Hours Pastoral Emergency Line is 612-930-0870. Polish Masses are livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel. Giving is available online through Vanco Simplified Giving, allowing one-time and recurring donations by credit or debit card, or directly from a checking or savings account.
For those new to the parish, online registration is available. For those preparing for marriage, funeral planning, becoming Catholic, joining a small group, volunteering, signing up for adoration, or requesting a Mass intention or bulletin intercession, contact information for each ministry is found on the parish's website. The parish also sends a weekly newsletter via Flocknote.