The History of Holy Cross Church

Fr. A. T. Bourke, the pastor of St. Michaels Church in Snohomish recognized the need to serve the people in what was considered the wilderness of Granite Falls.  For years he had traveled by horseback or in the buggy following trails that led their way through the forests.  Each trip was a days journey.   

In 1903 Fr. Bourke convinced Bishop O’Dea on the need for a church to be built in Granite Falls.  The Church was built without indebtedness because of the zeal of Mr. Klaus, Mrs. Schroeder, and Mrs. Hynes, who collected the money to pay for the church. 

The first ceremony in the new church was a nuptial Mass for Elizabeth Hynes and William Kelly on May 25, 1903.  The first baptism was Michael Francis Diffley, son of Michael and Catherine, on October 8, 1903.  The first funeral was for Katherine Schroeder on December 28, 1910 by Fr. Tryphon Van de Walle. 

Fr. Van de Walle recorded in 1906, “The parish work in those days was quite hard but the pastor was young.  The first Sunday I drove through muddy and partly built raods with horse and buggy to Granite Falls to say Mass.  It took the whole day to go and return to Snohomish in time for Benediction.” 

Fr. Van de Walle was followed by Fathers A. J. Shaughnessy, Garret Galvin, Anthony Throckmorton, Patrick O’Neil, John Peters, Michael O’Brien, Dennis Champagne, Dick Ward and to our present pastor, Fr. Joseph (Jay) DeFolco. 

Fr. O’Brien purchased the land next to the church in 1978, which included a house that was used for parish activities.  This house was later razed to make room for a new parish hall, which was dedicated on February 12, 1986. 

In 1998 new land was purchased on Highway 92 by Fr. Champagne to serve as a new location for an expanded church and parish operations.  In 2003 a second Mass on Saturday evenings was begun by Fr. DeFolco.   

On July 1, 2004 Archbishop Alexander Brunett promulgated the Mission of Holy Cross as the new parish of Holy Cross.  Parish offices were opened in Lake Stevens.  On August 15, 2004 our first Mass was celebrated at the new property with a parish picnic.  About 200 parishioners attended.   On September 5, 2004 two Masses began to be offered each week in Lake Stevens along with the two Masses in Granite Falls.  Daily Mass was begun with weekly confessions.  Religious Education began on September 19^th with 94 children enrolled.   

One of our first organizations that we began was the formation of an Outreach Committee that would serve the needs of the poor and the sick within our area.  During our first year there were 60 calls for financial assistance.  The monthly collection for the poor has been averaging $1500. Monthly food collection has been conducted to help the local food banks.  During Lent a weekly Community Meal was offered and now we are offering this meal once per month.  Ministers to the Homebound have been trained and rides have been offered to church.   

During our first year as a parish, we have transformed the Mission Pastoral Council into a Parish Pastoral Council representing our diverse new community.  We have begun a Finance Council, Building Committee, a Liturgy Committee, an RCIA program, an Adoration Committee, a Returning Catholic Program, and an Adult Education Program.  In September 2005 our new Middle School and High School programs will begin with the beginning of a new Sunday night Youth Mass.  We have been blessed with a growing and exciting music program with many youth involved.  With 2200 students at Lake Stevens High School and another 600 students at Granite Falls High School, we expect a vibrant and active youth program.