About Cathedral of Christ the King · Atlanta, Georgia
The Cathedral of Christ the King is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, located at 2699 Peachtree Road NE in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1936 as a parish during the Great Depression and dedicated in 1939 as a French Gothic-style church, it has served successively as a co-cathedral (with Savannah) and, since 1956, as the sole cathedral of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Today it serves roughly 5,000 registered families through an extensive slate of daily and Sunday Masses (in English and Spanish), a perpetual adoration chapel, K-8 parish school, faith formation programs, and outreach ministries. The cathedral is notable not only for its Indiana-limestone architecture and 65 Willet stained-glass windows, but also for being built on land that was once the 'Imperial Palace' headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan.
- Established
- 1936
- Patron
- Christ the King
- Rector
- Rev. Monsignor Francis G. McNamee (Rector, since 2009)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Cathedral of Christ the King offers a rare combination: it is the spiritual seat of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, with the full liturgical and musical resources that implies—multiple daily Masses, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, the cathedral choir and Schola, a Life Teen band, and a Spanish Mass community—yet it functions as a neighborhood parish for roughly 5,000 Buckhead families. Active families can plug into the Parish School of Religion (about 500 children), the on-site Christ the King School (K–8, founded 1937 by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart), Edge middle-school ministry, high-school Confirmation prep, and a young-adult community. Those drawn to the sacraments find OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), weekday Confession, daily Rosary, and a Holy Hour every Wednesday. For anyone seeking a historic, architecturally beautiful, liturgically rich Catholic home in metro Atlanta, the cathedral is the natural starting point.
Mass times at Cathedral of Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:15 AM–7:45 AM
- Thursday 7:15 AM–7:45 AM
- Thursday 6:00 PM–6:45 PM (En Español)
- Saturday following the 8:10 AM Mass
- Saturday 4:00 PM (Vigil, the queue forms in the Gathering Space between the Cathedral and Kenny Hall)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel – open 24 hours a day (from 9:00 PM–6:00 AM only assigned guardians)
- Wednesday Holy Hour: 1:00 PM (immediately after the 12:10 PM Mass; begins with Rosary and prayers for priests)
- Tuesday 3:00 PM–3:50 PM
History of the Cathedral
The Cathedral of Christ the King traces its origins to 1936, when Bishop Gerald O'Hara of the Diocese of Savannah established a new parish in Atlanta's growing Buckhead district during the Great Depression. The diocese purchased a four-acre site on Peachtree Road that had been the headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan; that controversial history is part of the cathedral's identity. Construction of a French Gothic church designed by Henry D. Dagit Jr. of Philadelphia began with the blessing of the cornerstone on October 31, 1937 (the Feast of Christ the King), and the church was dedicated on January 18, 1939. In 1937 Atlanta was elevated to co-cathedral status with Savannah, and in 1956 the Diocese of Atlanta was created, making Christ the King the sole cathedral of the new diocese. In 1962 the diocese was raised to an archdiocese, with the cathedral as the seat of the archbishop.
- Parish founded June 15, 1936
- First Mass on the porch of the former Klan mansion: August 15, 1936 (Feast of the Assumption)
- First pastor: Rev. Joseph E. Moylan
- Cornerstone blessed October 31, 1937 (Feast of Christ the King)
- Dedicated January 18, 1939
- Atlanta named co-cathedral city (with Savannah) in 1937
- Diocese of Atlanta erected July 2, 1956; Christ the King becomes sole cathedral
- Archdiocese of Atlanta created in 1962; cathedral becomes the metropolitan seat
- Named Atlanta's most beautiful building by Architectural Record readers in 1939
Architecture and the Building
The cathedral is a French Gothic design by the Philadelphia firm of Henry D. Dagit Jr., built primarily of Indiana limestone with Stone Mountain granite and Georgia marble. Construction in 1936 dollars cost about $400,000. Although the design borrows Gothic principles (pointed arches, soaring interior), flying buttresses were omitted, giving the exterior a cleaner silhouette than classic European Gothic cathedrals. The 65 stained-glass windows are by Willet Studios of Philadelphia, and the original interior seats roughly 700. Adjoining buildings include Kenny Hall (the gathering space between the cathedral and the parish hall), the Hyland Center (used for the contemporary 12:00 PM Sunday Mass), and the perpetual Adoration Chapel. The campus retains portions of the 1916 Greek Revival mansion that served as the original rectory and temporary chapel.
- Architect: Henry D. Dagit Jr., Philadelphia
- Style: French Gothic (without flying buttresses)
- Materials: Indiana limestone, Stone Mountain granite, Georgia marble
- 65 stained-glass windows by Willet Studios, Philadelphia
- Original seating capacity: ~700
- Original construction cost: ~$400,000 (1936 dollars)
The Land: From Durant Mansion to Klan Headquarters to Cathedral
Before the cathedral existed, the four-acre Buckhead site held an elegant Greek Revival mansion built in 1916 by Edward M. Durant. In 1921 the property was purchased by the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, who used the home as their headquarters and dubbed it their 'Imperial Palace.' As the Klan's influence collapsed during the Great Depression, the property fell into foreclosure. The Catholic Diocese of Savannah–Atlanta purchased it from the mortgage holder (an insurance company) for $35,000 in 1936. The mansion was used as a temporary rectory and chapel (with Sunday Mass first celebrated on its front porch) until the permanent church opened in 1939.
- 1916: Greek Revival mansion built by Edward M. Durant
- 1921: Acquired by the Ku Klux Klan; called the 'Imperial Palace'
- 1930s: Property foreclosed during the Depression
- 1936: Purchased by the diocese for $35,000
Music and Liturgy
Music is central to the cathedral's identity and reflects its role as a metropolitan church. The Director of Music and Liturgy (currently Michael Accurso, DMA) oversees a program that includes the Cathedral Choir, the Cathedral Schola (a more intimate ensemble), the Cathedral Ensemble for the contemporary 12:00 PM Mass, a Children's Choir that performs at the 9:00 AM Mass twice a month, and the Life Teen band for the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass. Music is supported by an associate organist (Samuel Polk) and a coordinator of Children's Choirs (Brenda Accurso). The parish also maintains a Director of Music Emeritus (Hamilton Smith).
- Cathedral Choir – full choir with organ, 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Cathedral Schola – smaller ensemble, 4:00 PM Sunday Mass
- Cathedral Ensemble – contemporary music, 12:00 PM Sunday Mass
- Children's Choir – performs twice monthly at 9:00 AM
- Life Teen Band – contemporary music at the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Michael Accurso, DMA
- Director of Music Emeritus: Hamilton Smith
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at the cathedral spans cradle to adult. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) is a Sunday-morning catechetical program for children age 3 through 5th grade, with about 500 children enrolled; classes meet at both 9:00 AM and 10:20 AM, September through May. Children's Liturgy of the Word dismisses children ages 4 through 3rd grade from the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass for a 20-minute session. The Nursery ministry serves infants through age 4½ during Sunday Masses. Middle-school youth are served by the Edge ministry, while high-schoolers are served by Life Teen and a Confirmation preparation program led by Mary Kiley Wilhelm.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Sunday School for ages 3 to 5th grade
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — ages 4–3rd grade during 9:00 AM Mass
- Nursery — ages 0–4½ during Sunday Masses
- Edge — middle-school youth ministry (Camille Robichaux)
- Life Teen — high-school youth ministry
- Confirmation preparation (Mary Kiley Wilhelm)
- Director of Faith Formation: Bernadette Flowers
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church journey through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the contemporary name for the RCIA process. The program includes inquiry sessions (Breaking Open the Sunday Word, Sundays at 10:30 AM, beginning mid-June), formation in Catholic teaching, and sacramental preparation, culminating at the Easter Vigil. Baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation, and Christians baptized in other traditions, are also welcomed. OCIA sponsors accompany candidates throughout the process; the program is coordinated by Bernadette Flowers, Associate Director of Adult Faith Formation ([email protected]).
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — formal RCIA process
- Inquiry stage: Sundays at 10:30 AM starting June 14 (Breaking Open the Sunday Word)
- OCIA Sponsors program
- Coordinator: Bernadette Flowers ([email protected])
- Next full process begins Fall 2026
Christ the King School (K–8)
Christ the King School (CKS) is the parish's kindergarten through 8th-grade Catholic elementary school, founded in 1937 by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. Located on the cathedral campus, the school offers an academically rigorous program in a faith-centered environment shaped by Catholic principles of respect, responsibility, and the recognition of each student's capacity for growth. CKS has been recognized repeatedly for academic excellence, including as a 2024 Cognia School of Distinction, a 2018 and 2007 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, and a 1986 National School of Excellence. The school's Director of Enrollment manages admissions and family inquiries.
- Founded 1937 by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart
- Grades K–8, on the cathedral campus
- 2024 Cognia School of Distinction
- 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- 2007 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- 1986 National School of Excellence
Hispanic Ministry / Ministerio Hispano
The cathedral has an active Hispanic community, with Spanish-language Mass celebrated on Sundays at 1:30 PM and on Thursdays at 7:00 PM (preceded by a Spanish Holy Hour and confessions at 6:00 PM). The Sunday 1:30 PM Mass features a contemporary choir with piano accompaniment and draws many families with children and adolescents. The cathedral also offers Coordinator of Hispanic Religious Education (Fanny Ramos) and an Administrative Assistant (Patricia Murcia) to support Hispanic ministry and faith formation.
- Spanish Sunday Mass — 1:30 PM
- Spanish Thursday Mass — 7:00 PM (after Holy Hour and confessions at 6:00 PM)
- Coordinator of Hispanic Religious Education: Fanny Ramos
- Administrative Assistant: Patricia Murcia
Clergy and Staff
The cathedral is led by Rector Rev. Monsignor Francis G. McNamee, who has served as rector since 2009 and was elevated to monsignor by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory. He is assisted by two parochial vicars, Rev. Jared Kleinwaechter and Rev. Jacob Butz, and four permanent deacons: Rev. Mr. John McManus, Rev. Mr. Bruce Goodwin, Rev. Mr. Chris Andronaco, and Rev. Mr. Sam Fraundorf. Pastoral Care is coordinated by Susan O'Rielly and a team of associates (Linda Dyson, Michele Burdick). The parish also maintains directors of Music and Liturgy (Michael Accurso, DMA), Faith Formation (Bernadette Flowers), Communications (Timothy Durski), Operations (Kim Sheppard), Information Technology (Andy Kelly), Human Resources (Stephanie Graves), and Advancement (Ryan Beesley), along with a Controller (Michael Bauml) and Director of Facilities.
- Rector: Rev. Monsignor Francis G. McNamee (since 2009)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jared Kleinwaechter
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jacob Butz
- Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. John McManus, Bruce Goodwin, Chris Andronaco, Sam Fraundorf
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Michael Accurso, DMA
- Director of Faith Formation: Bernadette Flowers
- Pastoral Care Coordinator: Susan O'Rielly
- Director of Communications: Timothy Durski
- Director of Operations: Kim Sheppard
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph E. Moylan1936–
First pastor of Christ the King Parish; presided over the inaugural Mass on August 15, 1936 on the porch of the former Durant/Klan mansion.
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