Ever wonder where Minneapolis’ Polish community gathers? It’s right here at Holy Cross Catholic Church. This church has been a spiritual anchor since 1886.
Holy Cross is more than just a church. It’s a multi-campus parish. It includes St. Clement, St. Hedwig and St. Anthony of Padua Chapel. The church is located along the Mississippi’s eastern bank.
The unifying symbol here is the Cross of Christ. It represents the salvation of the world. Parishioners seek to stand firm in faith like Mary on Good Friday.
Now let’s delve into the story of Holy Cross itself. Polish Catholics wanted their own priest. They asked Bishop John Ireland for permission to build a church. He agreed. The Articles of Incorporation were signed in 1886. The cornerstone for the current church was laid in 1927. Archbishop Dowling dedicated it the following year.
Inside Holy Cross church you will find a classical interior. It has undergone renovations since its original construction. Admire the stained-glass windows in the nave. They depict biblical figures and saints. Look up to see the rose window over the organ loft. The sanctuary has Italian marble pillars and altars. Stained-glass windows above the altar depict the Seven Sacraments.
Did you know Holy Cross offers a Polish-language Sunday Mass? It takes place at 1130am. Confession is available in Polish or English beforehand.
Let’s talk about St. Hedwig. Its roots are intertwined with Holy Cross parish. It’s named after the Patroness of Poland. The first Mass was celebrated here on Christmas Day 1914. Sixteen Catholics contributed to purchase land for the church and school. St. Hedwig is the spiritual center of River Village Catholic Eldercare.
Next we have St. Clement. It began in 1902 in a small white church. Reverend Robert Fitzgerald organized the construction of the present church. The cornerstone was laid in 1913. It is named for Clement of Rome.
Finally there is St. Anthony of Padua. It’s the original Catholic parish in Minneapolis. Father Louis Hennepin named nearby St. Anthony Falls after his patron saint. Today St. Anthony is the spiritual center for one of Northeast’s Catholic Eldercare communities.
In 2013, the Archdiocese formed a new parish. It included Holy Cross, St. Hedwig and St. Clement.
Three new priests came to serve Holy Cross Catholic Church. Reverend Spencer Howe is the pastor. He aims to energize the Catholic community. Reverend Stanislaw Poszwa leads the Polish Mass. He also heads the Polish school on Saturdays. About 100 children attend. They learn about faith and the church in Polish.
Holy Cross houses St. John Paul II Catholic Preparatory School. Many of its students are Ecuadorian.
Holy Cross Catholic Church continues to be a beacon. It is a place of faith, community and Polish heritage. The church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith. It also shows the strength of community in Northeast Minneapolis.