Holy Cross officially became a parish of the diocese of Harbour Grace in September 1893.  Prior to this, a mission church had existed in the community for some 50 years. Priests initially visited from Harbour Grace and later from Harbour Main to say mass in the Mission Church and attend to the needs of the people.  The first church was located in the north side adjacent to what is now the old cemetery. During the period when Holy Cross was a mission from Harbour Main, Fr. Kyran Walsh and later Dr. James Brown (the first native Newfoundlander to be ordained as a priest) administered to the people.

A new church replacing the old mission church was built on the north side on the site of the present church, this church was dedicated on November 30, 1899. In August 1918, Holy Cross Church was completely destroyed by fire.  Father William Finn immediately set about having the church replaced. On Christmas Eve 1919, Midnight mass was celebrated in the new church, shortly thereafter a new rectory was constructed.     Under the care of Fr. Edward Shea, a new presbytery was built near the old one during his time in Holyrood from 1965- 1981.