Welcome to Holy Cross

Within the 3 Rivers Pastoral Area, the church of Holy Cross serves the Roman Catholic community living in the Eastleigh area.

Our Parish Priest is Father Michael Dennehey who also serves our sister churches of St Edward in Chandlers Ford and St Swithun Wells in Fair Oak.

Holy Cross Church is also associated with St Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, was attributed with find the wood of the real cross upon which Jesus was crucified.

Kathryn Turner of Holy Cross went to Africa to attend the ordination of Pere Anselme [see picture] - > Click here to share Kathryn's amazing experience from packing our donations to the warmth, kindness and devout faith of the people of Burkina Faso to the moving ordination.

Click here for a pictorial tour of Holy Cross

Other Catholic Churches with the same name:

• Ardoyne, Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Batavia, Illinois, USA
• Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK
• Kincumber, New South Wales, Australia
• Nicosia, Cyprus

A Short History of Holy Cross Church, Eastleigh

In the 1880’s, Eastleigh was established as an important railway junction. Large tracts of land were bought for carriage/locomotive works. In 1886, Bishop Virtue purchased land in Leigh Road for a future Church. Some years later a tin School/Church was erected known as Our Lady of Good Counsel.

At the turn of the century came the prospect of a new Church. In 1901 the Bishop was able to report that a lady (Miss Ward) had promised to build a Church at her expense. Canon Scoles was commissioned to prepare the plans for the building to be erected under the title and invocation of the Holy Cross. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Cahill on the feast of Holy Cross in 1901. The new Church was consecrated on the 13th August 1902. An account of the opening was given in the Eastleigh Weekly News with a list of the priests and ‘notables’ present.

In 1903, a new school was opened next to the Church. An anonymous benefactor provided the funds required after previous unsuccessful attempts to raise the money.

In 1921, Father Doran purchased two cottages next to the Church and made them into a presbytery.

The Church was enlarged by Father Power in 1962. He was also responsible for persuading the Sisters of Our Saviour and The Blessed Virgin to come to Eastleigh. At the same time, Fair Oak began to expand, previously the few catholic families there went to Bishop Waltham or Holy Cross. The first mass was said at the Acorn Club and thereafter at the Village Hall. In 1978, a new Church was opened and dedicated to Swithun Wells – a local martyr.

About our Patron Saint - St Helena - more to follow

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