History of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church
In December 1936, the W. F. Cowan property at 357 Simcoe Street South was purchased, it comprised a home and four acres. This large mansion, the former home of one of the founders of the Ontario Malleable Iron Company was purchased for $10,000.00 and immediately converted to a Chapel and a two-room school. This Chapel which was a mission of St. Gregory the Great Parish, became the nucleus of the future Holy Cross Parish. The need for a second parish in Oshawa was evident by the attendance at Sunday Mass that attracted 500 families each week.
The first Mass celebrated in the Chapel was on January 31, 1937 by Fr. Wilfred J. Murphy, owing to the illness of Fr. Morrow, the pastor at St. Gregory’s. Mass was held in this modest mission Chapel of St. Gregory’s during 1937 and 1938, then in a converted garage on the property during 1939 and 1940.
Stations of the Cross were erected in February 1937 and an altar was built using wooden panels taken from the wall. Parishioners generously donated the organ, missal, ciborium, ostensorium, candlesticks, communion plate and Stations of the Cross. Sunday school began in February and by month’s end, 88 students had enrolled.
Renovations were made to the Cowan residence by early parishioners who carried out the plans of conversion into a chapel and school, which was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph. James Hallowell, the first caretaker made and installed a large wooden cross on the verandah of the house, which gave Fr. Morrow the inspiration to call the Mission the Chapel of Holy Cross.
Two Masses were held each Sunday in the early Mission Church, serving 450 souls. Mass was held in the converted conservatory, with the stairs and library accommodating the overflow. Mass for the polish people was held once a month.
Holy Cross Parish was erected on June 20, 1939 with the appointment of Fr. Philip Coffey as its first pastor, assuming his duties July 9, 1939. Along with Fr. Coffey served Fr. Patrick Marrin a Associate Pastor until his death in 1964 after being in a car accident.
During the War years, Fr. Coffey lived in the attic until a place on Olive Ave. was found. In these years, dances were held Friday nights, with many soldiers attending. Also at this time, Mr. Patrick Clancy was one of the first to start the Bingo Club, which eventually produced up to $20,000.00 a year, permitting speedy repayment of the mortgage. Bazaars, raffles and garden parties also helped raise funds.
The first church structure to be located on the property was a basement church, which construction started in the summer of 1940 and was completed December 2, 1940. On December 1, 1940, Archbishop McGuigan dedicated the basement of this church. The cost for this venture was about $13,000.00, of which Fr. Coffey started with $5,000.00.
370 Simcoe St. S. (Lazlo’s Hair Studio) was purchased on May 18, 1943 for $7,000.00 for what became the site of the rectory.
World War II, however, put an abrupt halt to construction, which did not resume until 1950. On June 20th, of that year the corner stone of Holy Cross Church was laid with Cardinal McGuigan, Fr. Philip Coffey, Fr. Neil McKinnon, Fr. Francis Smythe, Msgr. Paul Dwyer and Fr. John Pereyma in attendance. Fr. Fraught of St. Michael’s College, in Toronto was the Master of Ceremonies. Construction continued and the new church was finally blessed on April 29, 1951 by Eminence Cardinal McGuigan at a Solemn Mass. Rev. Marshal Beriault was appointed as Associate on September 26, 1958. He was instrumental in bringing the Cursillo movement to Canada. The early 1960’s saw the construction of the Annex. 1961 saw the creation of the Ladies Auxiliary with Mary Lyons as President. It also saw Fr. Coffey being awarded the posthumous title of Most Reverend Monsignor by Pope John XXIII.
Msgr. Coffey remained pastor of Holy Cross until his death on Christmas Eve of 1963 at the age of 65. His funeral was held 4 days later on December 28. More than 600 citizens from all walks of life paid their respects over a 24hr period. His Excellency Archbishop Philip Pocock officiated. Msgr. Coffey was instrumental in the building of Holy Cross Church, Holy Cross Separate School, Msgr. Philip Coffey Elementary School and St. Philip’s Church which is named after him.
For less than a month the parish was administered by Fr. Marshal Beriault. During that time, he wrote to Archbishop Pocock that a mission was needed for the Italians, who he called the “forgotten people in Oshawa” and that at the very least, an Italian priest from Toronto should come to Oshawa during the Lenten Season.
Fr. Matthew J. Darby was appointed in January 1964 and along with him came Fr. Francis Smythe as Associate Pastor.
One of the first things Fr. Darby did was, he proposed to the Ladies Auxiliary to change to a Catholic Women’s League and so on October 28, 1964 the Holy Cross Catholic Women’s League was formed with Aletha Hansen as President.
On February 15, 1965, 373 Simcoe St. S. was purchased from Thomas and Velma Terry for the new site of the rectory for $15,000.00. In 1966, construction of the addition to the church and spacious rectory was begun, with completion of the present Church and rectory in August 1967. 370 Simcoe St. S. was sold June 16, 1967.
Owing to the illness of Fr. Darby, two parish administrators were appointed for brief stints as Pastor, namely Fr. Edward Law in 1968 and Fr. Stanley Blackwell in 1970. March 27, 1968 saw the birth of St. Jude Council #6052 Knights of Columbus in the basement of Holy Cross.
Fr. Matthew Darby passed away in St. Catherine’s while on his way home from a trip down south. His funeral was held April 23, 1970 at Holy Cross Church. In May 1970, Fr. Bernard Mahoney became the Pastor of Holy Cross. It was also the year that Fr. Bronislaus Kokins became Associate Pastor.
In 1970 renovations were made to the parish hall and as a cost cutting measure the men of the parish donated their time and labour. A dinner in honour was held in October for their efforts. 1971 saw Fr. John Myers from St. Gertrude’s serving Holy Cross which he did faithfully until 1987. 1973 saw Fr. Mario DeGuisti as Associate Pastor.
On Sunday June 24, 1979 Holy Cross observed its 40thAnniversary and bid farewell to Fr. Mahoney who was succeeded by Fr. Vincent Amodeo.
Renovations were conducted in 1983 under the Government C.O.E.D. Program. A large cross was erected on the front lawn of the church giving the Church name and Mass times. Inside a cross was built on the wall around the stained-glass window of the sanctuary.
In 1988, preparations for the Golden Anniversary of Holy Cross Church began and an appeal was made to the parishioners for donations towards the purchase of bells for the Church.
January 5th, 1989 saw the installation of the Carillion Bells at a cost of $14,000.00 and a plaque was placed in the Church with all the names of donors.
May 28th, saw the first Mass of one our own who was ordained earlier in the year. Fr. Michael Basque.
During his time at Holy Cross, Fr. Amodeo was in a car accident but thankfully was not seriously injured. Fr. Vincent Amodeo retired from Holy Cross in 1993 and shortly afterwards passed away. Serving with him as Associate Pastor over the years were Fr. Anthony Van de Vetche (Sept 1979), Fr. Vincent Martorella (May 1986), Fr. Diego Ferro (Oct 1987), Fr. Richard Jacobsen (June 1992) and Fr. Glicerio Jimenez (Sept 1992),
His successor, Fr. William Lynch was the next pastor, who arrived October 1st of the same year (1993) and in July 1994 saw the arrival of Fr. Melcor Tran as Associate Pastor. Fr. Lynch remained for a short period until 1994 when Fr. Ronald Calhoun took over. He began as Administrator and was later installed as Pastor and in doing so began a lengthy revamp of the Church. These changes included: enlarging the size of the altar, replacement of the crying room with what is now the Baptistery, the window sills, entrance uncovering of the original archways, stonework and iron fencing at the front of the Church.
2001 saw Fr. Ron transferred and the return of Fr. Diego Ferro, this time as Pastor. However, due to his ill health he retired in 2003, but stayed in town. Fr. Guenter Petricek, Pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish was appointed administrator when Fr. Diego retired. During his time as Administrator, numerous repairs were undertaken. Under him served Associate Pastors, Fr. Peter Francis Chinnappan, Fr. Joseph Pezhathumkal and Fr. Remy Onyelu until the appointment of Fr. Keith Callaghan on March 16th, 2005.
Fr. Diego passed away May 28, 2006 with the Funeral on June 1st being held at Holy Cross Parish. Waves of friends and parishioners paid their respects. Mass was concelebrated by the priests of Oshawa and was officiated by Auxiliary Bishop Peter Hundt.
Fr. Keith instigated many changes. With unfailing and dedicated help of three volunteers, Fr. Keith put the statues of the church in more prominent places, railings around the baptistery area, and to the lectionary, reclaiming rooms that had been left vacant for some time.
During 2009, we had a spaghetti dinner and movie night and also had Silent Auctions. On September 12th, we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Church with Mass and Dinner. It was well attended.
In June 2010, Fr. Keith, pastor of Holy Cross also became the pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Oshawa.
March 8, 2011, saw Fr. Keith rushed to the hospital after falling down the stairs in the rectory. March 9, 2011, we welcomed Fr. Dixit Cletus who took over the ministry of the churches while Fr. Keith recovered. March 18th, 2011 Fr. Keith finally underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments behind the knee and also to reattach his knee cap. January 2012 saw Fr. Keith have surgery again as the ligaments had detached. During this time, we welcomed Fr. John Boos and Fr. Manuel Duterte.
In May 2014, the Annex that was located at the back of the Church which held the “He’s Alive” bookstore was demolished due to the deterioration of the building.
On October 3, 2014, we celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Holy Cross Parish with a big dinner and dance at the Jubilee Pavilion, Oshawa. It was well attended.
2019, we celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the Church with many different functions throughout the year: Dinners, Silent Auctions, Bake Sales etc.
2020, started off like any typical year in the church, winding down after Christmas and starting on 1st Communion and Confirmation. Things were in the new about a virus that was travelling rapidly from animal to person then from person to person. Then in March, everything changed. Covid-19 hit! Everyone was lock down. Not permitted to leave your home. Fr. Keith did the best he could for families of dying parishioners and for those who had died. Mass was not permitted.
2021, saw a limited number of people allowed at Mass with booking seats.
On June 29th, 2022, Fr. Keith retired and we welcomed Fr. Marijan Sisko, pastor of St. Gregory’s on July 1 and was installed as our new Pastor on September 18th, 2022.