About Christ the King · Detroit, Michigan
Christ the King Catholic Church is a historic parish in northwest Detroit, Michigan, founded in 1927 by approximately 300 families. Now part of a blended parish family that includes St. Charles Lwanga Parish within the Archdiocese of Detroit's Central Trinity 2 family, Christ the King serves its community from its church on Grand River Avenue near Burt Road, with the rectory at 16805 Pierson Street. The parish is distinguished by being one of only a handful of Detroit parishes that still maintains a K-8 Catholic elementary school. Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. John McKenzie and supported by deacons and lay staff, Christ the King continues a long tradition of liturgical worship, Catholic education, faith formation, and community service in the heart of Detroit.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- Christ the King (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
- Rector
- Rev. John McKenzie (Priest in Solidum leading the parish since 2022)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
Christ the King offers Northwest Detroit Catholics a rooted, multigenerational parish community with one of the city's last K-8 Catholic parish schools, a working blend of Christ the King and St. Charles Lwanga parishes, and a 'blended parish' mission focused on faith, fellowship, and outreach. Sunday and weekday Masses, weekly adoration and confession, Bible study, faith-formation talks, a parish choir, and ministries like St. Vincent de Paul and Faith Formation make it a true neighborhood hub. It is a place where longtime parishioners, returning Catholics, and visitors are welcomed to worship, grow, and serve together in the Catholic tradition of northwest Detroit.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:30–6:30 p.m. (alongside Adoration, followed by 6:30 p.m. Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:30–6:30 p.m.
About Christ the King Parish
Christ the King Catholic Church is a welcoming, faith-filled Catholic parish serving the Detroit community. Rooted in a rich tradition of worship, prayer, and service, the parish is committed to proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments, and living out Christ's call to love one another. It is now a blended parish formed through the merger of Christ the King Parish and St. Charles Lwanga Parish, uniting their shared histories under a renewed mission. People of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life — lifelong Catholics, those returning to the Church, or anyone seeking a spiritual home — are invited to worship, grow in faith, and become part of the parish family as they journey together in Christ.
- Vision: help connect people to faith in Northwest Detroit.
- Welcomes lifelong Catholics, returning Catholics, and visitors.
History of Christ the King
Founded in 1927 by approximately 300 families, Christ the King held its first Mass at Redford High School. Construction of a temporary multi-purpose building began in 1928 but, due to the Great Depression, took a decade to complete. A second temporary church followed in 1932. The parish school opened September 12, 1938, taught by the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Sisters of Monroe. In 1947 the school complex grew with a convent for sixteen IHM Sisters and a third 'temporary' basement church. The permanent church on Grand River Avenue was dedicated in 1962. After Vatican II, a parish council and many commissions were established; in 1980 the pastoral staff was expanded to include religious sisters and lay ministers. In 2009 the parish absorbed territory from the closed parishes of St. Monica, St. Christine, and St. Gemma. In 2022 Fr. John McKenzie was appointed as Priest in Solidum for Trinity Vicariate Family 2, with primary assignment at Christ the King.
- 1927 — parish founded by ~300 families; first Mass in Redford High School.
- 1928 — construction of first temporary church begins.
- 1932 — second temporary church built.
- 1938 — parish school opens (Sept. 12); taught by IHM Sisters.
- 1947 — convent for 16 IHM Sisters and a third 'temporary' basement church completed.
- 1962 — permanent church dedicated on Grand River Avenue.
- Post-Vatican II — parish council and commissions established.
- 1980 — pastoral staff expanded to include religious sisters and lay ministers.
- 2009 — territory expanded from closed parishes of St. Monica, St. Christine, and St. Gemma.
- 2022 — Fr. John McKenzie assigned to Trinity Vicariate Family 2 with primary role at Christ the King.
Sacraments
Christ the King prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Church. Infant Baptism requires pre-Baptismal classes for parents and godparents, scheduled individually with each family. Preparation for First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, as well as the Anointing of the Sick, is arranged through the Parish Office. Couples wishing to marry are asked to contact the parish office for six months of marriage preparation. Adults, children, and youth interested in becoming Catholic are welcomed into the Adult Catechumenate (RCIA).
- Baptism — pre-Baptismal classes required for parents and godparents.
- Eucharist & Confirmation preparation — contact the Parish Office.
- Anointing of the Sick — (313) 532-1211.
- Marriage — six months of preparation; contact the parish office.
- RCIA / Adult Catechumenate — for adults, children, and youth.
Parish School: Christ the King Elementary
Christ the King School is one of the few remaining K-8 Catholic parish schools in the City of Detroit, a distinction rooted in the parish's 1938 founding of its school under the IHM Sisters of Monroe. The school shares the parish's campus and continues the long Catholic-educational tradition of the neighborhood.
- Christ the King Elementary, 16800 Trinity — (313) 532-1213.
- K-8 Catholic parish school.
- Principal: Brittany Culkowski.
- Little Scholars – Christ the King Campus child-care program (Director Shirley Wright-Hailey, 313-693-4260).
Music & Worship Tech
The Christ the King Choir leads worship at Sunday Mass and other occasions throughout the Liturgical Year, with weekly Tuesday-evening rehearsals. The Worship Tech Team operates the camera and laptop to stream Mass and other liturgical events online (Zoom), with training provided. Both ministries welcome new members.
- Parish Choir — Tuesdays 5:30–7:30 p.m.; Choir Director Bethanne McCall.
- Worship Tech Team — operates live-stream; training provided; technology and liturgy familiarity expected.
Outreach & Community Service
Christ the King extends its mission beyond the church walls through several outreach ministries based at or near the parish. St. Vincent de Paul and St. Christine Christian Services share a phone line and serve neighbors in need; Siena Literacy Center, located on Trinity, helps adult learners through tutoring and literacy programs. The parish also operates Little Scholars, an early-childhood program on the Christ the King campus.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — (313) 535-7272.
- St. Christine Christian Services — 15317 Dacosta at Fenkell — (313) 535-7272.
- Siena Literacy Center — 16888 Trinity; Caitlyn Pisarski, (313) 532-8404.
- Little Scholars – Christ the King Campus — Director Shirley Wright-Hailey, (313) 693-4260.
Parish Staff & Leadership
Pastoral leadership at Christ the King is provided through the Archdiocese of Detroit's In Solidum model, in which a team of priests shares pastoral responsibility across the Trinity Vicariate Family 2 parishes. Two permanent deacons assist the parish, alongside a pastoral assistant, parish-office staff, school principal, choir director, and a Parish Unity Team of lay leaders heading Faith Formation, Worship, Finance, Engagement, and Evangelical Charity.
- Rev. John McKenzie — Priest in Solidum (primary at Christ the King).
- Rev. Sama Muma, Rev. Athanasius Fornwalt, Rev. John Phelps C.Ss.R., Rev. Marko Djonovic — supporting priests.
- Deacon Joe Urbiel, Deacon Christian Remus.
- Teron Varner — Pastoral Assistant.
- Nicole Archibald — Parish Office.
- Brittany Culkowski — School Principal.
- Bethanne McCall — Choir Director.
- Parish Unity Team — Angela Varner (Leader), with Mark Barkey, Paulette Washburn, Judy Bruttell, Susan Groenenboom, Kevin Gordon, and Ron Eady.
Connect With Us
Whether a longtime parishioner or a first-time visitor, Christ the King invites everyone to gather, pray, and grow in faith together. The parish can be reached by phone, email, in person at the rectory, or through its website and social-media channels.
- Address (rectory): 16805 Pierson St., Detroit, MI 48219.
- Phone: (313) 532-1211.
- Email: [email protected].
- Website: http://christthekingcatholicdetroit.org/.
- Live-stream Mass via the parish website.
- Connect With Us / Social Media links on the parish website.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John McKenzie2022–present
Priest in Solidum, leads Christ the King within Trinity Vicariate Family 2.
- Rev. Victor Clore1980–
Long-serving pastor; expanded staff to include religious sisters and lay ministers in 1980.