About Christ the King · Corpus Christi, Texas
Christ the King is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas, located in the southern part of the city at 3423 Rojo Street. Founded in 1946 and traditionally served by diocesan priests, the parish was entrusted in 2013 to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), an international Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right founded in 1958. The parish centers its life on the Eucharist and offers the full range of sacraments, weekday and Sunday Mass, faith formation for children, youth and adults, RCIA, Bible study, and an array of parish organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Guadalupanas, Third Order Dominicans, Altar Society, and the Trinitarian Laity.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
- Rector
- Father Williams Bakyil, SOLT
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
Christ the King is a mid-century parish with deep roots on Corpus Christi's south side, where a stable Catholic community gathers around weekday noon Masses, a bilingual Sunday liturgy, and active faith formation for every age. The parish combines traditional parish life — Knights of Columbus, Guadalupanas, Altar Society, Third Order Dominicans — with SOLT's missionary spirituality, including ongoing Adoration, Bible Study, a youth group, and a thorough RCIA process. It is a place for families wanting Catholic schooling of their children in CCD, for adults seeking deeper formation or sacraments like Confirmation and Matrimony, and for Spanish-speaking Catholics who can worship at the bilingual 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- Sunday 9:20 – 9:50 am
- Sunday 5:20 – 5:50 pm
- Saturday 11:00 am
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered as part of parish life (specific weekly schedule available from the Church Office; contact 361-883-2821)
Parish History
In early 1946, Bishop Ledvina acquired land to organize new parishes in Corpus Christi; one of those sites became Christ the King. Father Cannon, appointed first pastor in July 1946, celebrated the parish's first Mass on October 13, 1946 in the auditorium of Travis Public School. The parish outgrew that arrangement within a year, and ground was broken on October 13, 1947 for a church, school and convent at 1625 Arlington Drive, dedicated July 25, 1948. As the surrounding community grew, a larger church was begun on January 31, 1959 and dedicated August 9, 1959, the result of the pastor's work together with the Men's Club and the Altar Society. In 1981 Bishop Drury entrusted Christ the King to the Trinitarian Order, whose priests served through 2002, after which diocesan priests resumed leadership. In 2013 Bishop Michael Mulvey invited the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) to take on the pastoral care of the parish, and SOLT continues there today.
- 1946 — Parish established; first Mass October 13 in Travis Public School auditorium
- 1947 — Ground broken at 1625 Arlington Drive
- 1948 — Church, school and convent dedicated July 25
- 1959 — Current church dedicated August 9
- 1981–2002 — Served by the Trinitarian Order
- 2002–2013 — Diocesan priests
- 2013 — SOLT invited by Bishop Michael Mulvey
Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT)
Since July 2013, Christ the King has been served by SOLT, a community of disciples of Jesus through Mary composed of priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, and single or married laity. Founded in 1958 and approved by Rome as a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right, SOLT describes itself as Trinitarian, Marian, Catholic, Missionary, and Family. The society serves in thirteen countries — including England, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Belize, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico — and in several U.S. missions including work with Native Americans in North Dakota, migrant farm workers in the Midwest, and inner-city parishes in Detroit, Corpus Christi and Phoenix. Their local Corpus Christi apostolate also operates Our Lady of Corpus Christi, a retreat and formation center at 1200 Lantana St. with an eye-catching blue-domed adoration chapel.
- Priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, and lay members
- Apostolic works include drug rehabilitation, education, health care, work with the destitute, radio evangelization, and orphanage work
- SOLT website: www.solt.net
Faith Formation
The parish frames faith formation around the conviction that 'the first catechists in any child's life are the family members with whom he or she lives.' Children's CCD/Religious Education classes meet on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. and prepare children for the sacraments while fostering a personal relationship with Jesus. The Youth Group gathers on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. for catechism, fellowship, prayer, music, community service, shared meals, and games, with the aim of helping adolescents mature into adult disciples.
- Children's CCD — Wednesdays 6:00–7:15 pm
- Youth Group — Sundays 4:30 pm
- RCIA — Sundays 9:30 am
- Adult Catechesis — ongoing classes and specialist formation
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Christ the King's RCIA emphasizes that the process is not a program but a gradual journey in which an enquirer has a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and freely chooses to follow Him in the Catholic faith. The group meets on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., aligning with the wider parish rhythm that culminates each year in the reception of new Catholics at the Easter Vigil.
- Meets Sundays 9:30 am
- Designed as a gradual process of conversion, not a course
Adult Catechesis
Adult Faith Formation at Christ the King follows the three goals promoted by the USCCB: ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life, active membership in the Christian community, and preparation of adults to act as disciples in mission to the world. Offerings throughout the year include Bible Study, Catechist Training, catechesis for parents of CCD and youth, promotion of diocesan adult events, Adult Confirmation Classes, Baptism Classes for parents and godparents, Retreats, ongoing formation for those in parish ministries, and Advent & Lent Missions.
- Bible Study
- Catechist Training
- Catechesis for Parents of CCD & Youth
- Adult Confirmation Classes
- Baptism Classes
- Retreats and Advent/Lent Missions
Bible Study
The parish Bible Study group gathers to foster enthusiasm for the Living Word of God, a deepening of Catholic faith, and a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The group is described as fun, informative, friendly and encouraging, drawing on the Catechism's teaching that Sacred Scripture is 'the soul of sacred theology' and nourishment for God's children.
Ministries & Organizations
Christ the King frames parish service around stewardship of God-given gifts of time and talent, offering many opportunities to share faith, enhance worship, and serve the community. Liturgical ministries include Sacristans, Lectors, Altar Servers, and the Homebound Ministry & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs). Broader parish organizations include the Knights of Columbus, Guadalupanas, Third Order Dominicans, Altar Society, Bible Study, Adoration, Outreach, Prayer Group, Trinitarian Laity, and SOLT itself. Each organization has a lead contact whose details appear in the weekly bulletin.
- Liturgical: Sacristans, Lectors, Altar Servers, Homebound/EMHCs
- Organizations: Knights of Columbus, Guadalupanas, Third Order Dominicans, Altar Society, Bible Study, Adoration, Outreach, Prayer Group, Trinitarian Laity, SOLT
Sacraments
Christ the King prepares parishioners for and administers the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Preparation classes are offered for parents and godparents of those to be baptized, for adults seeking Confirmation, and for couples preparing for marriage. The parish website links each sacrament to the relevant Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs that explain its meaning and dignity. To begin any sacrament preparation, the parish directs people to contact the Church Office at 361-883-2821.
- Baptism (with required parent/godparent classes)
- Confirmation (adult classes available)
- Eucharist / First Holy Communion
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
Staff & Contact
The parish is currently led by Father Williams Bakyil, SOLT, as Pastor, assisted by Deacon Manuel Marroquin. The parish office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and can be reached by phone at 361-883-2821 or by email at [email protected]. Father Bakyil can be reached at [email protected] and Deacon Manuel at [email protected].
- Pastor: Fr. Williams Bakyil, SOLT — [email protected]
- Deacon: Manuel Marroquin — [email protected]
- Office: 3423 Rojo Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78415
- Office hours: 9 am – 2 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Cannon1946 –
Appointed first pastor in July 1946 by Bishop Ledvina; celebrated the first Mass on October 13, 1946 in the auditorium of Travis Public School.
- Diocesan priests1946–1981
Built and dedicated the church, school and convent (1948) and the current church (1959).
- Trinitarian Order priests1981–2002
Entrusted the parish by Bishop Drury in 1981.
- Diocesan priests2002–2013
Resumed spiritual leadership of the parish.
- Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT)2013–present
Invited by Bishop Michael Mulvey in 2013 to serve Christ the King.