About Christ the King · Athens, Ohio
Christ the King University Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Athens, Ohio, established in 1965 by Bishop John King Mussio as one of the first parish-based campus ministry efforts in the United States. It serves the Catholic community of Ohio University as its primary mission, and today operates as part of the clustered Athens Catholic Community alongside St. Paul Church, Sacred Heart (Pomeroy), Holy Cross (Glouster), and St. Mary of the Hills (Buchtel). The parish is led by Rev. Fr. Mark Moore and is part of the Diocese of Steubenville.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- Christ the King
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Mark Moore
- Diocese
- Diocese of Steubenville
Why belong here
Christ the King offers a vibrant Catholic home at the heart of the Ohio University campus in Athens. Sunday Masses are offered at the church on Mill Street, daily Mass is celebrated Monday–Friday at 12:15 p.m., and the parish runs OU Catholics, the campus Catholic student organization, alongside Sunday Suppers after the 6:00 p.m. student Mass. Faith formation for children and youth, OCIA/RCIA for adults, a food pantry, a prayer line, music ministry, the Frassati Fellowship for young adults, the Catholic Women's Club, and a Living Rosary round out a parish built around prayer, learning, charity, and friendship.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:00 AM–11:00 AM (Christ the King)
- Saturday 4:00 PM–4:45 PM (Christ the King)
Adoration times
- Thursday 1:00 PM–9:00 PM in the Church (during the academic year)
- Friday 11:00 AM–12:00 PM in the Church
History of Christ the King University Parish
Christ the King was established in 1965 by Bishop John King Mussio as one of the first parish-based campus ministries in the country. Catholic students at Ohio University had previously been served by St. Paul Church and then by St. Genesius Chapel inside the Schine's Athena Cinema from 1955. The parish moved into its own building on Mill Street in 1960 and has continually renovated and expanded that home ever since — most recently with a 2001–2003 phase that added a gathering space, Blessed Sacrament chapel, and stained glass windows. In 2011 the parish was clustered with St. Paul Church to form the Athens Catholic Community, later joined by Sacred Heart (Pomeroy), Holy Cross (Glouster), and St. Mary of the Hills (Buchtel).
- Founded 1965 by Bishop John King Mussio
- St. Genesius Chapel at Schine's Athena Cinema served students from 1955
- Property at Mill & Stewart purchased 1958 by Fr. Joseph Gardner
- First Masses in the new building: April 1960; dedication October 1960
- Church renovation dedicated October 11, 1986
- University Parish Center dedicated May 17, 1992 by Bishop Ottenweller
- New altar and stained glass dedicated October 2003 by Bishop Conlon
- Clustered with St. Paul in 2011; Fr. Mark Moore named pastor July 1, 2013
OU Catholics — Campus Ministry at Ohio University
OU Catholics is the parish's Catholic student organization at Ohio University. It promotes faith-sharing, learning, charity, and friendship, and is open to all OU students. After the 6:00 PM Sunday student Mass at Christ the King, the community gathers for Sunday Suppers. The Holy Family Center at 75 Stewart Street is open for students to study and hang out on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. The group maintains active Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter presences under the @OUCatholics handle.
- Sunday Suppers after 6:00 PM Sunday Mass
- Discussion groups, Bible studies, retreats throughout the year
- Holy Family Center (75 Stewart Street) open M/T/Th 7:00–10:00 PM
- Social: @OUCatholics on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Faith Formation, Sacraments, and RCIA
The parish runs a Sunday Religious Education Program during the academic year (September–May), with First Reconciliation and First Communion typically celebrated in 2nd grade. OCIA (formerly RCIA) welcomes adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church. Baptism requires a pre-baptism class scheduled through the parish office; Confirmation and Marriage are coordinated with Fr. Mark Moore.
- Religious Education: Sundays 11:00 AM, September–May
- First Sacraments in 2nd grade
- OCIA / RCIA — contact Nancy Sand ([email protected])
- Baptism prep class — contact the parish office
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Christ the King and the wider Athens Catholic Community support a broad ministry ecosystem. Liturgical roles (EMHCs, lectors, servers, greeters, sacristans, and choirs) are filled by trained volunteers. The Athens Catholic Food Pantry serves local families in need. The Frassati Fellowship gathers grad students and professionals in their mid-20s to 40s. The Catholic Women's Club organizes service, charity, and spiritual events. A Prayer Line circulates petitions by email, and a Living Rosary invites parishioners to pray a daily decade together.
- Music Ministry (choirs) — contact Tony Bruno
- Liturgical roles: EMHCs, lectors, servers, greeters, sacristans — contact Nancy Sand
- Athens Catholic Food Pantry
- Frassati Fellowship (young adults)
- Catholic Women's Club
- Athens Catholic Teens (ACT) — high school youth group
- Natural Family Planning
- Prayer Line and Living Rosary
Clergy and Staff
Rev. Fr. Mark Moore serves as pastor of Christ the King University Parish and the broader Athens Catholic Community (St. Paul, Sacred Heart, Holy Cross, and St. Mary of the Hills). Fr. Jeremiah Hahn is the current parochial vicar (June 2022–present). Lay staff and ministry contacts listed by the parish include Nancy Sand (Religious Education, OCIA, liturgical scheduling), Mary Catherine Kennedy (Religious Education), Tony Bruno (Music Ministry), and Sophia (Prayer Line).
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Mark Moore (mmoorediosteub.org)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Jeremiah Hahn (June 2022–present)
- Religious Education & OCIA: Nancy Sand
- Music Ministry: Tony Bruno
- Youth Ministry: Athens Catholic Teens team
The Athens Catholic Community
Since 2011 Christ the King has been clustered with St. Paul Church (38 North College Street, Athens) under one pastoral team — the Athens Catholic Community. Fr. Mark's pastoral care has since expanded to include Sacred Heart in Pomeroy (added 2016), Holy Cross in Glouster, and St. Mary of the Hills in Buchtel (both added 2019). The cluster shares livestreamed liturgies, faith formation, RCIA, the food pantry, and other ministries across Athens and Meigs Counties.
- St. Paul Church — 38 N. College St., Athens
- Christ the King — 141 Mill St., Athens
- Sacred Heart — Pomeroy (added 2016)
- Holy Cross — Glouster (added 2019)
- St. Mary of the Hills — Buchtel (added 2019)
- Parish offices / Holy Family Center — 75 Stewart St., Athens
Visit, Connect, and Stay Informed
Parishioners and visitors can join the community's Flocknote by texting FOMO to 845-76 to receive updates from Fr. Mark and selected ministry groups. Sunday and daily Masses are livestreamed at athenscatholic.org/church-livestream for the homebound and students away from campus. The parish shares news and reflections through its Facebook, YouTube, Twitter/X, and Instagram channels, and welcomes online giving through myEoffering.
- Flocknote: text FOMO to 845-76
- Livestream: athenscatholic.org/church-livestream
- Online giving via myEoffering
- Bulletin and website carry the latest event schedule
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Joseph Gardner1958 (property purchase)
Purchased the Mill and Stewart Streets property on which the present church stands.
- Bishop John King Mussio1965
Established Christ the King University Parish.
- Msgr. Patrick Gaughan2011–December 2012
First pastor of the clustered St. Paul / Christ the King Athens Catholic Community.
- Rev. Fr. Mark MooreParochial Vicar 2011; Administrator December 2012; Pastor July 1, 2013–present
Named pastor by Bishop Jeffrey Monforton; his role later expanded to include Sacred Heart (2016), Holy Cross (2019), and St. Mary of the Hills (2019).