Holy Cross Hungarian R.C. Church
8423 South Street * Detroit, MI 48209
Tel: 313-842-1133 * Email: sztkereszt@comcast.net
Website: www.holycrosshungarian.com
In 1905, a young priest of Hungarian descent, Father Hubert Klenner, was commissioned to organize a parish. It was officially recognized as HOLY CROSS HUNGARIAN PARISH on May 8th of that year. The cornerstone of a combination structure housing church, school and living quarters for the sisters was laid on the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross in 1906.
In 1924, Henry Kohner, a Hungarian of German descent was hired to design the second (present) church building. He was told that the parish could not afford a Gothic Romanesque or Baroque structure. Pictures of Hungarian, European and American churches were submitted to the architect and out of these grew the present church. The cornerstone was laid on November 26, 1924. Bishop Gallager consecrated the church on September 20, 1925.
A most important part of Holy Cross Church is the stained glass windows, which were installed in 1936. The Schroeder Glass Company of Detroit is responsible for the five windows of the sanctuary, which represent the five great Hungarian Saints: Stephen, Emery, Ladislaus, Elizabeth and Margaret. The windows of the nave and transepts, depicting thirty-two saints are the work of the Von Gerichten Studios of Columbus, Ohio, giving to the church its most artificial value.
In 1948, Paul Daubner, an artist of Hungarian descent, painted all the paintings in the church, including the fresco of the Redeemer in the domed ceiling of the sanctuary.
In 1999, the old church building was remodeled to accommodate the Garden of Gethsemani Chapel, Cardinal Mindszenty Meeting Room and the Parish Office.
The main altar, side altars, pulpit, baptismal font and many statues were fashioned by the pontifical Institute of Arts in Chicago, which had a fine reputation for church furnishings. For the 100th Anniversary of the Parish in 2005, a new altar, ambo and presider chair were built to match the main altar.
Holy Cross Hungarian Parish was under the custodial care of the Hungarian Franciscan Friars of St. John Capistran Custody from 1974 to 1993. On February 6, 1994 the Hungarian Franciscan Province of St. Stephen, King continued the ministry here with Friar Angelus Ligeti, OFM, Local Minister and Friar Barnabas G. Kiss, OFM, Pastor.