About Annunciation Parish - Christ the King Church · Evansville, Indiana
Annunciation of the Lord Parish (often called Annunciation Parish) is a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana, serving the east side of Evansville from two historic worship campuses: Christ the King Church at 3010 E. Chandler Avenue and Holy Spirit Church at 1800 S. Lodge Avenue. The parish was created on July 1, 2014, by merging Christ the King Parish (dating to 1942) and Holy Spirit Parish (dating to 1952) under a strategic plan announced by Bishop Charles C. Thompson. Annunciation describes itself as a Catholic family of believers offering a home to grow in familiarity with Christ through prayer, education, and service, and it operates Annunciation Catholic School at the Christ the King campus. Its current pastor is Rev. Benny A. (Alikandayil) Chacko, originally ordained in 1998 in the Archdiocese of Imphal, India, and incardinated into the Diocese of Evansville in June 2021.
- Established
- 1942 (Christ the King); 1952 (Holy Spirit); merged 2014
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Lord (parish name); Christ the King and Holy Spirit (campus patrons)
- Rector
- Rev. Benny A. Chacko (Alikandayil)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Evansville
Why belong here
Annunciation Parish welcomes newcomers as a Catholic family of believers offering prayer, education, and service across two campuses that meet people where they are. Weekday and Sunday Masses are offered in English and Creole, with multiple reconciliation times each week, regular Eucharistic Adoration (including first Fridays), a thriving middle-school youth ministry, OCIA, family evangelization, altar server and lector ministries, and the Christ the King School (Pre-K through grade school) as well as the Holy Spirit School — all on Evansville's east side.
Mass times at Annunciation Parish - Christ the King Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Christ the King — Tuesday 8:10–8:25 AM
- Christ the King — Friday 8:10–8:25 AM
- Christ the King — Wednesday 5:10–5:45 PM
- Holy Spirit — Saturday 3:10–3:45 PM
- Christ the King — Saturday (additional opportunities — see schedule)
Adoration times
- Christ the King — Wednesdays 5:00–5:50 PM
- Christ the King — Thursdays 4:30–5:15 PM (followed by 5:30 PM Healing Mass)
- Christ the King — First Fridays: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 6:00 AM (overnight)
- Holy Spirit — Third Thursdays: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Christ the King — 'Adore & Restore' Wednesdays (e.g., 5:00 PM) and weekly 9:00 AM Adoration
Welcome to Annunciation Parish
Annunciation of the Lord Parish describes itself as 'a Catholic family of believers that offers a home for the local community to grow in familiarity with Christ and one another by proposing a life of prayer, education, and service.' If you are looking for a parish home, the Parish Center invites you to contact them at 812-476-3061. The parish's stated Mission is built around prayer, education, and service, and it welcomes newcomers at both its Christ the King and Holy Spirit campuses.
- Two campuses: Christ the King Church (3010 E. Chandler Ave.) and Holy Spirit Church (1800 S. Lodge Ave.)
- Parish Office: 812-476-3061
- Sunday 11:00 AM Mass livestreamed on YouTube
Our History
Annunciation Parish was born on July 1, 2014, from the merger of Christ the King Parish (dating to 1942) and Holy Spirit Parish (dating to 1952). The merger process began shortly after Bishop Charles C. Thompson announced a new strategic plan for the Diocese of Evansville in September 2013; the new name 'Parish of the Annunciation of the Lord' was announced April 17, 2014. Each campus retains its own identity while functioning as one parish. The deeper history of Christ the King reaches back to 1938, when the Diocese purchased land to relieve overcrowding at St. Benedict Church. Father William Lensing became the first pastor in summer 1941, and Bishop Ritter dedicated the original $7,000 white-frame church (capacity 300) in 1942, calling the name 'Christ the King' especially fitting during wartime.
- 1938: Diocese buys property for new east-side church
- 1941: Father William Lensing named first pastor
- October 1941: City permit granted for $7,000 frame church at Vann & Chandler
- 1942: Bishop Ritter dedicates Christ the King Church — 75 chartering families
- 1945: Father Maurice Egloff succeeds Father Lensing
- 1949: Christ the King School opens with 371 students (Sisters of St. Benedict)
- 1952: Present Christ the King Church dedicated (designed as gym/auditorium)
- 1962: Overcrowding leads to creation of Nativity parish
- 1985: Convent becomes Parish Center; school now all lay teachers
- 1996: Gym, computer & science labs added; new HVAC
- 2013: Bishop Thompson announces strategic plan
- April 17, 2014: 'Parish of the Annunciation of the Lord' name announced
- July 1, 2014: Merger effective
Parish Staff & Clergy
Annunciation is served by a pastor, associate pastor, a Creole priest, and a permanent deacon, supported by a full lay staff for operations, faith formation, communications, music, family evangelization, and bookkeeping.
- Rev. Benny A. Chacko — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. John Pfister — Associate Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Johnson Vil — Haitian/Creole Priest ([email protected])
- Deacon John McMullen — Permanent Deacon
- Tom Falkenstein — Director of Operations
- Krystal Smith — Business Manager; Anne Pampuch — Assistant Bookkeeper
- Anne Baumgart — Parish Catechetical Leader
- Dr. William Ante — OCIA Coordinator
- Ashlee Owens — Director of Communications & Youth Ministry
- Anna Creek — Music Director
- Peggy Vogt — Family Evangelization
- Diana Dewig — Holy Spirit Campus Liaison
- Diana Braun — Parish Secretary
- Mark Dearman — Maintenance
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful serve the parish through altar serving, lectoring, and music. Altar servers — children who have made First Communion and are at least 8, or adults who feel called — assist the priest at the altar and lead processions. Lectors must be practicing Catholics in good standing who love Sacred Scripture and can proclaim the readings with clarity; they typically serve about twice a month. The Adult Choir rehearses Thursday evenings and is led by Music Director Anna Creek.
- Altar Server Ministry
- Lector Ministry
- Music Ministry / Adult Choir
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Annunciation offers lifelong faith formation for children and adults. The Parish Catechetical Leader (Anne Baumgart) oversees religious education for children preparing for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Dr. William Ante coordinates OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation, or full reception into the Catholic Church. Peggy Vogt leads Family Evangelization, supporting parish households as centers of faith.
- Religious Education for children (Pre-K through elementary)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation through Youth Ministry
- OCIA (adult initiation)
- Family Evangelization
Youth Ministry
Annunciation's Youth Ministry is being rebuilt under Director Ashlee Owens, beginning with a Middle School Youth Group that already draws more than 35 students. Monthly meetings and events are held at both school campuses; the program also takes youth to diocesan events such as Holy Fire and Diocesan Youth Day at St. John the Baptist in Newburgh. High-school programming is expanding with trips and service-hour opportunities. All adult volunteers must complete Safe Environment Training and a background check.
- Middle School Youth Group (35+ members)
- Holy Fire 2026 attendance
- Diocesan Youth Day participation
- Cupcake Wars and seasonal events
- High-school trips and service opportunities
- Safe Environment Training for all volunteers
Annunciation Catholic School at Christ the King
Annunciation Catholic School at Christ the King, located at 3101 Bayard Park Drive, is a neighborhood Catholic school serving Pre-K through grade school, dedicated to forming children spiritually, academically, emotionally, and physically. The school is led by Principal Matt Moore ([email protected]). It is accredited by the State of Indiana under Indiana Public Law 221 and by AdvancED (formerly the North Central Association), and is a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and the Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA). The school traces its roots to 1949, when it opened with 371 students taught primarily by the Sisters of St. Benedict.
- Address: 3101 Bayard Park Drive, Evansville, IN 47714
- Phone: (812) 476-1792
- Principal: Matt Moore
- Accredited by Indiana (PL 221) and AdvancED
- Member of NCEA and INPEA
- Holy Spirit School: 1760 Lodge Avenue — Principal David Memmer; (812) 477-9082
Outreach, Devotions & Community Life
Beyond the liturgy, Annunciation nourishes community through devotions, men's groups, retreats, and outreach to those in need. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference meets regularly at Christ the King to serve the poor in the surrounding neighborhoods. 'That Man is You' meets Saturday mornings, the Cursillo movement gathers for Ultreya on Wednesday evenings, and a JOY Luncheon is held monthly. The Healing Mass every Thursday evening during the school year and the First Friday overnight adoration are special fixtures of parish life.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- That Man is You (men's program)
- Cursillo / Ultreya
- Adore & Restore (Wednesdays)
- Healing Mass (Thursdays during school year)
- First Friday 24-hour Adoration
- JOY Luncheon (monthly)
Getting Involved
Parishioners are invited to get involved in liturgical ministry, faith formation, youth ministry, outreach, or the parish council. Safe Environment training and a background check are required of all adult volunteers working with minors. Contact the Parish Office (812-476-3061) or the Director of Communications & Youth Ministry, Ashlee Owens ([email protected]), for current opportunities.
- Liturgical ministries (Altar Server, Lector, Choir)
- OCIA team, family evangelization, religious education
- Youth Ministry (middle and high school)
- St. Vincent de Paul and outreach
- Parish Council (monthly meetings at CTK)
Contact & Visit
Christ the King Church — 3010 E. Chandler Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714. Parish Office (Parish Center, on the Christ the King campus): 812-476-3061, fax 812-476-3062. Holy Spirit Church and Holy Spirit School: 1800 S. Lodge Avenue / 1760 Lodge Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714; campus line 812-477-1738, school 812-477-9082. Christ the King School: 3101 Bayard Park Drive, 812-476-1792. Can't make it to Mass? Watch the 11 AM Sunday Mass live or catch up on recent services on the parish's YouTube channel via annunciationevv.org.
- Parish Office: 3010 E. Chandler Ave., Evansville, IN 47714 — (812) 476-476-3061
- Holy Spirit Campus: 1800 S. Lodge Ave. — (812) 477-1738
- Christ the King School: 3101 Bayard Park Dr. — (812) 476-1792
- Livestream 11 AM Sunday Mass on YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Lensing1941–1945
First pastor of Christ the King Parish; built the original 1942 white frame church.
- Rev. Maurice Egloff1945–
Succeeded Father Lensing; built the first rectory and later the larger rectory next door.