About Christ the King · Kingston, Rhode Island
Christ the King Catholic Church is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Kingston, Rhode Island, situated just off the campus of the University of Rhode Island. Founded on November 14, 1950, by Bishop McVinney of the Diocese of Providence, the parish began with about 100 families and has grown to more than 1,800 families representing more than 20 zip codes — and even out-of-state visitors. Billed on its website as 'The Eyes and Hands of Christ,' CTK fosters a transformative parish culture that inspires Catholics of all ages to lead a life of prayer, service, and stewardship. The parish works hand-in-hand with the adjacent URI Catholic Center to serve both local residents and the university community.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Christ the King
- Rector
- Rev. Jared J. Costanza (ninth pastor, installed October 21, 2012)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Christ the King is one of the most vibrant Catholic communities in the Diocese of Providence, drawing worshippers from more than 20 zip codes and even out of state. Members can grow in faith through Sacramental Formation (First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation), serve through ministries like Assumption Parish Food Delivery, the Make a Difference sewing/knitting program, Kitchen of Hope, Funeral Ministries, Parish Ambassadors, and Hospitality, or simply sing in the parish Choir or Teen Music Ensemble. With its unique dual identity as both a territorial parish and the parish serving the University of Rhode Island Catholic Center next door, CTK offers a warm home for families, college students, young adults, and retirees alike.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 4:30 pm
- By appointment
Our Parish Story
Christ the King was born in 1950 out of practical need — St. Francis of Assisi in Wakefield was bursting at the seams. Bishop Russell J. McVinney of the Diocese of Providence founded the parish on November 14, 1950, naming Rev. Joseph Wiseman, C.S.C., as its first pastor and launching it with about 100 families. Worship began in Edwards Hall on the University of Rhode Island campus, then moved to a corrugated-metal Quonset hut blessed as a 'Quonset Hut Church' in 1953. The present church and rectory were begun under second pastor Rev. Edmund O'Neill in 1957, when the parish had grown to 155 families. Over the decades CTK has more than eighteen-doubled in size. In 1968 Bishop McVinney made it both a territorial and a university parish, formalizing its role as the home parish for the URI Catholic Center (dedicated in 1966). The parish hit 410 families at its 25th anniversary in 1975, 787 at its 35th in 1985, 1,361 at its 45th in 1995, and now exceeds 1,800 families drawing from more than 20 zip codes. Major building projects include the 1994 Parish Hall and renovated rectory and the 2007 Narthex. Stephen Ministry was established in 1987. Father Joseph D. Creedon served 31 years as the eighth pastor (1981–2012), and Rev. Jared J. Costanza was installed as ninth pastor on October 21, 2012 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin. In 2025 the parish celebrated 75 years with a Mass led by Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., and donated $40,000 to the St. Martin de Porres Center Kitchen Project.
- Founded November 14, 1950 by Bishop McVinney, Diocese of Providence
- First Masses in Edwards Hall at URI; Quonset hut church blessed 1953
- Present church and rectory groundbreaking 1957 under Rev. Edmund O'Neill
- Designated both a territorial and university parish in 1968
- Stephen Ministry established 1987
- Parish Hall and renovated rectory dedicated 1994
- Narthex dedicated 2007
- Rev. Jared J. Costanza installed as 9th pastor on October 21, 2012 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin
- 75th anniversary celebrated in 2025 with Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Mission & Identity
CTK describes itself as fostering 'a transformative parish culture that inspires and challenges Catholics of all ages to lead a life of prayer, service, and stewardship in imitation of Christ.' The parish family aims 'to become an example of how a 21st Century Christian community can inspire others to follow Jesus' and brands itself as 'The Eyes and Hands of Christ.' Its mission is 'To foster missionary discipleship by connecting people to Jesus Christ and one another through our Catholic Faith community.'
- Mission: foster missionary discipleship by connecting people to Jesus Christ and one another
- Tagline: 'The Eyes and Hands of Christ'
- Parish slogan: 'Making Disciples for Christ'
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, describing them as 'efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us' (CCC 1131). Infant Baptism is celebrated on designated Saturday mornings, usually once a month, and requires a Baptismal Formation Session for parents; godparents must provide a sponsor form signed by their own parish. Adults enter the Church through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, traditionally culminating at the Easter Vigil. Weddings are scheduled with Father Jared, and a wedding music playlist and logistics PDF are available on the parish website. Anointing of the Sick can be arranged by calling the parish office.
- Infant/Child Baptism — Saturday mornings, monthly; parent formation session required
- Adult Baptism — through OCIA, culminating at Easter Vigil
- Confirmation — Sacramental Formation program
- Eucharist / First Communion — Sacramental Formation
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:30 pm or by appointment
- Marriage — contact Father Jared; wedding music playlist and logistics PDF online
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office at 401.783.7459
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Christ the King's Kids & Youth Ministry is described as 'a ministry, to, with, by, and for children, youth, young adults, and families.' Guided by Director of Religious Formation Georgann Lardaro and Religious Formation Specialist Rose Slusarczyk, the program offers Sacramental Formation (First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation) for Catholic-school students while encouraging Catholic-school families to attend all years. The parish follows the diocesan Safe Environment Training program, requiring background checks for all who work with children, and uses the Circle of Grace program. Classes are automatically cancelled when local public schools or URI cancel activities due to weather; announcements are sent via email, on local radio and TV, and on the parish website and social media.
- Director of Religious Formation: Georgann Lardaro
- Religious Formation Specialist: Rose Slusarczyk
- Sacramental Formation covers First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation
- Diocesan Safe Environment Training and background checks required
- Circle of Grace safety curriculum used
- Altar Server sign-up form available on the website
Vacation Bible School
CTK runs an annual Vacation Bible School. The 2026 theme is 'Rainforest Falls,' running Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7. Each day begins at 9:00 am with pickup at 11:45 am, ending with a Friday family cookout. Children discover what it means to see and be like Jesus in everyday life.
- 2026 theme: Rainforest Falls
- Dates: August 3–7, 2026
- Hours: 9:00 am – 11:45 am with Friday family cookout
Music & Liturgy
'The Liturgy is at the heart of all things Christ the King.' The parish offers a robust Music & Liturgy program led by Director of Music Tom Kendzia and Pastoral Associate of Music & Communications Justin Dery (hired 2023). Liturgical ministries include Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (and Eucharistic Ministers to the sick and homebound), Cantors, a parish Choir (high school and older), Instrumentalists (violin, flute, guitar, more), and a Teen Music Ensemble for middle and high school instrumentalists. Lectors and EMs are typically fully-initiated Catholics; teens may serve after Confirmation if at least 16; Homebound Ministers must be 21+ and complete safe environment protocols. Scheduling is done quarterly and training is typically held in the fall.
- Director of Music: Tom Kendzia
- Pastoral Associate of Music & Communications: Justin Dery (hired 2023)
- Parish Choir (high school and older)
- Teen Music Ensemble (middle/high school instrumentalists)
- Cantors and Instrumentalists (auditions required)
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound (21+, safe environment training)
- Contact: Pastoral Associate Jennifer Marran
Service Ministries
CTK's Service Ministries put faith into action across South County and beyond. Each week the Assumption Parish Food Delivery ministry loads donated food into members' cars and drives it to the Church of the Assumption in Providence for their parish food pantry. The Make a Difference program lets parishioners sew, knit, or crochet at home (with supplies provided), producing quilted blankets for South County Hospital ER children and items for Welcome House, RICAN, McAuley House, Friends Way, the South County Nursing Center, and the Mustard Seed Orphanage in Nicaragua. Monday Meals sends volunteers to the Kitchen of Hope at St. Francis Church in Wakefield. Funeral Ministries, Hospitality (coffee & donuts after Masses), Parish Ambassadors (welcoming new parishioners), Facilities & Grounds (with Garden and Lawn Crew), and a Veterans Committee round out the service portfolio.
- Assumption Parish Food Delivery (weekly, to Providence)
- Make a Difference (sewing/knitting/crocheting; supplies provided)
- Kitchen of Hope / Monday Meals (St. Francis Church, Wakefield)
- Funeral Ministries
- Hospitality (coffee & donuts, events)
- Parish Ambassadors (welcoming new parishioners)
- Facilities & Grounds (Garden and Lawn Crew)
- Veterans Committee
Parish Team & Staff
The staff at Christ the King is dedicated to serving the parish community by being a witness of Jesus and his love for all. The leadership team is anchored by ninth pastor Rev. Jared Costanza. Lay staff handle religious formation, music, communications, outreach, finances, facilities, and parish administration.
- Rev. Jared Costanza — Pastor
- Jennifer Marran — Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
- Georgann Lardaro — Director of Religious Formation
- Rose Slusarczyk — Religious Formation Specialist ([email protected] / [email protected])
- Tom Kendzia — Director of Music
- Justin Dery — Pastoral Associate of Music & Communications (hired 2023; [email protected])
- Eva-Marie Mancuso — Director of Parish Engagement & Outreach
- Diane Macera — Parish Admin ([email protected])
- Andrea Keenan — Parish Office Manager ([email protected])
- Ron Bernier — Fiscal Manager ([email protected])
- Doug Paquin — Facilities Manager
URI Catholic Center Partnership
Since 1968 Christ the King has been designated both a territorial parish and the home parish for the University of Rhode Island Catholic Center next door. The center has had a succession of chaplains: Rev. Edmund Micarelli (1960), Rev. Raymond Collins (1966), Rev. David Inman (1968), Rev. George Behan (1975), Rev. Robert Hawkins (1992), Rev. Matthew Glover (2008), Rev. Joseph Upton (2015), Rev. Carl Fisette (2019), and currently Rev. Ryan Simas. The pastor and URI chaplain collaborate closely to connect college students to the wider Diocese of Providence.
- Rev. Edmund Micarelli — 1st URI chaplain (1960)
- Rev. Raymond Collins — 2nd (1966)
- Rev. David Inman — 3rd (1968)
- Rev. George Behan — 4th (1975)
- Rev. Robert Hawkins — 7th (1992)
- Rev. Matthew Glover — 9th (2008)
- Rev. Joseph Upton — 10th (2015)
- Rev. Carl Fisette — 11th (2019)
- Rev. Ryan Simas — current chaplain
Becoming a Parishioner
CTK welcomes new parishioners to register by submitting a form on the parish website and introducing themselves to Father Jared or any staff member at the weekend Masses. The parish actively invites discernment of membership in this faith-filled family, which it calls 'an example of how a 21st Century Christian community can inspire others to follow Jesus.'
- Submit online registration form on ctkri.org
- Introduce yourself to Father Jared or staff at weekend Masses
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Wiseman, C.S.C.1950
Founding pastor; parish began with ~100 families; celebrated first Masses in Edwards Hall at URI. Died April 7, 1992.
- Rev. Edmund O'Neill1957
Second pastor; oversaw groundbreaking for present church and rectory; parish at 155 families.
- Rev. J. Leo Lyons1960
Third pastor.
- Rev. Louis Dunn1964
Fifth pastor; established the first Parish Council.
- Rev. Oscar Ferland1967
Sixth pastor; first general parish council elections held.
- Rev. Robert Brown1972
Seventh pastor; parish at 230 families.
- Rev. Joseph Creedon1981–2012
Eighth pastor; served 31 years; oversaw Stephen Ministry (1987), Parish Hall and rectory renovation (1994), and Narthex dedication (2007); retired June 30, 2012 with 1,599 families.
- Rev. Jared J. Costanza2012–present
Ninth pastor; installed October 21, 2012 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin; led the 75th anniversary in 2025.