About Christ the King [Cristo Rey] · San Antonio, Texas
Christ the King (Cristo Rey) is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the Prospect Hill neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas, part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Often described by its own parishioners as 'the little church with a BIG heart,' it is a welcoming community that proclaims the Gospel of Christ in word, deed, and truth to its predominantly Tejano and Mexican-American neighborhood. The parish offers Mass in both English and Spanish throughout the week, runs a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, and maintains a faith formation program and adoration chapel rooted in devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.
- Established
- 1928
- Patron
- Christ the King (Cristo Rey) — formerly named San Geronimo when dedicated in 1928
- Rector
- Father Martin García-Ávila
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
Christ the King calls itself 'the little church with a BIG heart' — a bilingual, multigenerational family in the Prospect Hill neighborhood where Spanish and English Masses are celebrated side by side. Parishioners can pray before the Blessed Sacrament at weekly Adoration, grow in faith through RCIA and catechesis, and put their faith into action through the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and other outreach. It is a community with a deep devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Eucharist, ready to welcome both longtime Catholics and those returning to the Church or curious about becoming Catholic.
Mass times at Christ the King [Cristo Rey]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Tuesday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
Adoration times
- Thursdays 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (September through April)
- Weekday Adoration follows the 8:00 AM Spanish Mass, Monday – Thursday
About Christ the King Catholic Church
Christ the King (Cristo Rey) is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in San Antonio's Prospect Hill neighborhood, part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The parish describes itself as 'the little church with a BIG heart,' a welcoming community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people. Its mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to its local community in word, deed, and truth.
- Tagline: 'The little church with a BIG heart'
- Mission: To proclaim the Gospel of Christ in word, deed, and truth
- Bilingual parish (English and Spanish)
- Prospect Hill neighborhood, near west San Antonio
- Part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio
Parish History
Founded in the late 1920s by five pioneering families who petitioned Archbishop Drossaerts, the parish grew from a catechism center staffed by the Adoration Sisters into a church built by its own members and dedicated as San Geronimo on March 4, 1928. Renamed Christ the King in the 1940s, it served its neighborhood under the Claretian Missionaries for fifty years before the Archdiocese of San Antonio assumed leadership in 1969. Successive pastors have shaped the parish through Vatican II renovations, a parish school, faith formation programs, and bilingual retreats, all while remaining rooted in a strong faith community despite the area's economic challenges.
- 1927: catechism center established at the request of five families led by Mr. Jose Patino
- March 4, 1928: San Geronimo church dedicated; Fr. Geronimo, CMF first pastor
- 1927–2005: Cordi-Marian Sisters serve the parish for 78 years
- 1944: parish renamed Christ the King
- May 2, 1954: parochial elementary school dedicated by Archbishop Lucey
- January 1967: school addition (classrooms, library, cafeteria) dedicated by Bishop Steven F. Leven
- June 4, 1969: Claretian era ends; archdiocesan clergy take over
- January 4, 1973: remodeled interior blessed by Archbishop Francis J. Furey
- 2014: 70th anniversary celebrated
- 2020: parish led through the pandemic by Fr. Praveen Lakkisetti via social media
Pastor and Parish Staff
Fr. Martin García-Ávila has served as pastor of Christ the King since July 2020. Ordained in 2009 and a native of Mexicali, Mexico, he previously served Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Comfort, Texas and St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Harper, TX. He is supported by a small staff and a deacon, alongside the parish's many lay ministries.
- Father Martin García-Ávila — Pastor (since July 2020)
- Rev. Mr. James Curd — Deacon
- Melanie Mazuca — Administrative Assistant
- Jesus Vallejo — Bookkeeper
- Danny Fernandez — St. Vincent de Paul Ministry Coordinator ([email protected], 210-955-9571)
Parish Life and Ministries
The parish frames itself around 'the heart of a parish is the Eucharist,' with lay ministry giving that body life. Christ the King offers a deep bench of liturgical, formation, social-justice, and devotional ministries — many bilingual — and encourages parishioners to bring new ideas to the pastor.
- Liturgical: Altar Society, Sacristans, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers/Greeters, Liturgy Committee
- Formation: Faith Formation / Catechists, RCIA, Youth Ministry
- Devotional: Guadalupanos (Our Lady of Guadalupe), Eucharistic Adoration Volunteers, Funeral Rosary Ministry
- Service: St. Vincent de Paul Society and Food Pantry, homebound visits
- Community: Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Acts Retreats (English/Spanish), annual parish bazaar
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) conference operates the Christ the King Food Pantry, which serves neighbors in need with groceries and household support. The pantry is run by Ministry Coordinator Danny Fernandez and reflects the parish's commitment to evangelization through works of charity.
- Christ the King Food Pantry — a St. Vincent de Paul ministry
- Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Contact: Danny Fernandez, [email protected], 210-955-9571
- Volunteers also deliver hygiene bags, fresh fruit/vegetables, and flowers to homebound parishioners
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
Christ the King runs an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process — also referenced as OCIA — for adults exploring the Catholic faith, returning Catholics, and those preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The parish welcomes inquiries through the office.
- For adults curious about the Catholic faith
- For returning Catholics wanting to come home
- For those wishing to register as new parishioners
- Contact: parish office at 210-433-6301 or [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is a vital element of Catholic life at Christ the King, serving students preparing for sacraments as well as adults growing in their faith. The parish encourages parishioners to deepen their relationship with the Trinity through ongoing study and formation, not just for children.
- Catechists needed — contact Director of Religious Education at 210-433-6340
- Religious Education for students preparing for First Communion and Confirmation
- Rooted in the parish's post-Vatican II emphasis on adult faith formation
School (Historical)
Christ the King Catholic School was dedicated on May 2, 1954, by Archbishop Robert E. Lucey. The Cordi-Marian Sisters first held classes in their convent on Morales Street before moving instruction to the parish hall. A 1966 expansion under Fr. Augustin Cubillo, CMF added classrooms, a library, and a cafeteria, dedicated by Bishop Steven F. Leven in January 1967. The school is referenced on the parish site as a key part of its mid-century growth.
- Parochial elementary school opened 1954
- Original classes held by the Cordi-Marian Sisters at their Morales Street convent, then in the parish hall
- 1967 expansion added classrooms, library, and cafeteria
Visiting and Joining Christ the King
Christ the King welcomes new parishioners, returning Catholics, and those simply curious about the faith. The parish office can be reached by phone, email, or in person at the rectory on Perez Street. Visitors are invited to introduce themselves, register as parishioners, or sign up for RCIA through the parish's online forms or in person.
- Office: 210-433-6301
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 2610 Perez St, Prospect Hill, San Antonio, TX 78207
- Register as a new parishioner, return to the Church, learn about the Catholic faith, or inquire about becoming Catholic through the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Geronimo, CMF1928–
First pastor; Claretian Missionary; church (then San Geronimo) dedicated March 4, 1928
- Fr. Augustin Cubillo, CMFby 1966
Built classrooms, library, and cafeteria for the parish school; new addition dedicated January 1967 by Bishop Steven F. Leven
- Fr. Larry J. MatulaJune 4, 1969 – January 1982
First archdiocesan pastor after Claretians departed; led Parish Development Campaign, revamped CCD, founded High School of Religion and Parish Council
- Msgr. Balthazar 'Balti' Janacek1982 – summer 1994
Known for social-justice advocacy; empowered parishioner self-management; oversaw 50th anniversary in 1994
- Fr. Richard Peña1994–2006
Tenure saw the Cordi-Marian Sisters conclude 78 years of service (2005)
- Fr. Larry Mattingly, OFM2006–2012
Franciscan friar; launched bilingual Acts retreats for men, women, and teens
- Fr. Mike Horan2012–2019
Grew Mass attendance, parish activity, and new-parishioner enrollment; oversaw 70th anniversary in 2014
- Fr. Praveen Lakkisetti2019–2020
Led parish through COVID-19; livestreamed the Holy Triduum via social media
- Fr. Martin García-ÁvilaJuly 2020 – present
Native of Mexicali, Mexico; ordained 2009; previously at Sacred Heart (Comfort) and St. Anthony's (Harper); introduced monthly Misas de Oración and added a Sunday Mass