About Christ the King · McFarland, Wisconsin
Christ the King is a Roman Catholic parish in McFarland, Wisconsin, part of the Diocese of Madison and now a member church of Stella Maris Parish (Pastorate 26). The parish sits at 5306 Main Street in the lakeside village of McFarland just southeast of Madison, where it serves as a worship site for a broader community that also includes St. Patrick in Cottage Grove and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monona. Weekend and weekday Masses, the sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation, youth ministry, and outreach are part of its regular life. The parish currently operates with a priest team led by a parochial administrator and parochial vicars under the canonical structure of Stella Maris.
- Patron
- Christ the King
- Rector
- Fr. Eric Sternberg (Pastor of Stella Maris Parish, which includes Christ the King as a worship site); day-to-day pastoral care at Christ the King is currently exercised by Fr. Chad M. Droessler (Parochial Administrator of the former Pastorate 11 / Stella Maris assignment), Fr. Mark Foley, and Fr. Bill Van Wagner (Parochial Vicars).
- Diocese
- Diocese of Madison
Why belong here
Christ the King welcomes Catholics in the McFarland area into a parish with a familiar small-town feel but the resources of a larger pastorate. Parishioners can attend daily and weekend Mass in English, take part in Eucharistic Adoration, go to monthly Encounter Nights combining Adoration, Confession, and discipleship testimony, and join a faith formation program that now reaches from kindergarten through high school across all three Stella Maris worship sites. The parish also supports youth ministry, a music ministry, outreach and evangelization efforts, and easy access to the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Reconciliation.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:20 PM – 5:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Sunday: 8:20 AM – 9:00 AM
- 30 minutes before daily Mass
- 40 minutes before weekend Mass
Adoration times
- Mary Morning Star Chapel (Immaculate Heart of Mary site): Monday–Friday 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Eucharistic Adoration, historical schedule)
About Christ the King Parish
Christ the King is a Catholic parish in McFarland, Wisconsin, part of the Diocese of Madison and now a worship site of Stella Maris Parish (Pastorate 26). The parish welcomes families and individuals from the McFarland area for weekend and daily Mass, the sacraments, faith formation for all ages, and a range of pastoral ministries. It operates with a priest team and shares staff and programming with sister worship sites St. Patrick in Cottage Grove and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monona.
- Roman Catholic parish, Diocese of Madison
- Worship site of Stella Maris Parish since the 2025 canonical merger
- Located at 5306 Main Street, McFarland, WI 53558
- Phone: (608) 838-9797 · Email: [email protected]
History
Christ the King was established as a Catholic parish serving the village of McFarland, with a 1977 parish directory held by the Dane County Historical Society showing Fr. Arthur R. Koth as the parish's pastor at that time. Through the 2010s and into the 2020s, the parish was led by a succession of pastors including Fr. D. Stephen Smith (2013) and Fr. Stephen Brunner (2021), and ran programs such as Generations of Faith, youth ministry, and Eucharistic Adoration. As part of the Diocese of Madison's 'Into the Deep' pastoral planning initiative, Christ the King was grouped with St. Patrick (Cottage Grove) and Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monona) into Pastorate 26, and the three communities were canonically merged into Stella Maris Parish in 2025. Fr. Eric Sternberg was installed as the first pastor of Stella Maris on July 13, 2025, by Bishop Donald J. Hying.
- 1977 parish directory (Fr. Arthur R. Koth)
- 2013: Fr. D. Stephen Smith serving as pastor
- 2021: Fr. Stephen Brunner serving as parochial administrator
- 2024: Fr. David Carrano suggests Encounter Nights
- July 13, 2025: Fr. Eric Sternberg installed as first Pastor of Stella Maris Parish by Bishop Donald J. Hying
Clergy and Staff
Christ the King is currently served by a priest team within Stella Maris Parish. Fr. Eric Sternberg is pastor of the merged parish, while day-to-day sacramental life at Christ the King is shared among Fr. Chad Droessler (Parochial Administrator), Fr. Mark Foley, and Fr. Bill Van Wagner (Parochial Vicars). Deacon Jeff Bond serves as Permanent Deacon. Past pastoral leaders include Fr. Arthur R. Koth, Fr. D. Stephen Smith, Fr. Stephen Brunner, and Fr. David Carrano.
- Fr. Eric Sternberg – Pastor, Stella Maris Parish
- Fr. Chad M. Droessler – Parochial Administrator, Stella Maris Pastorate 26
- Fr. Mark Foley – Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Bill (William J.) Van Wagner – Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Matthew Pearson – Parochial Vicar, Stella Maris
- Deacon Jeff Bond – Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Casey Cooney – Transitional Deacon
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at Christ the King is now coordinated across the Stella Maris Pastorate under Celine Peterson, with programming that spans kindergarten through high school. The parish runs a family-centered monthly formation program, middle school and high school programs, sacramental preparation, and a vibrant young adult community with weekly Bible studies for both men and women. The youth ministry also runs its own programming and outreach under the ctkyouthministry.weebly.com brand.
- Family-centered monthly formation program
- Middle school and high school formation across the pastorate
- Young adult Bible studies (men's and women's groups)
- Sacramental preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
- RCIA and adult faith formation
Music and Liturgy
Christ the King has a long-standing music ministry. A Director of Music Ministry is part of the parish staff, and Encounter Nights feature live music led by parishioners. The priest team takes special interest in the liturgical environment, and decorations, seasons, and music are coordinated to mark Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
- Director of Music Ministry on staff
- Music team for Encounter Nights
- Seasonal liturgical environment coordinated with the priest team
Encounter Nights
Encounter Nights are a signature outreach at Christ the King that began in May 2024 at the suggestion of then-parochial administrator Fr. David Carrano. Each evening gathers parishioners for Eucharistic Adoration, the opportunity for sacramental Confession, and a personal testimony of discipleship from a fellow parishioner. The evenings are described as accessible invitations to encounter Christ, supported by music, fellowship, and shared witness.
- Began May 2024 at Christ the King
- Combines Adoration, Confession, and testimony
- Led in collaboration with the Director of Evangelization and a volunteer music team
- Open to parishioners from across the Stella Maris Pastorate
Sacraments
Christ the King celebrates all the usual sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Baptisms are celebrated monthly, Marriages are arranged by appointment with at least four months' notice to the priest, and Reconciliation is offered before every Mass and by appointment. Anointing of the Sick and visits to the homebound are coordinated through the Parish Office.
- Baptism – monthly, by calling the Parish Office
- Reconciliation – before Mass and by appointment
- First Communion and Confirmation – through Faith Formation
- Marriage – by appointment, at least four months' notice
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion to the homebound – contact the Parish Office
Stella Maris Pastorate and Parish Life
Through the Diocese of Madison's 'Into the Deep' planning process, Christ the King was joined with St. Patrick (Cottage Grove) and Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monona) in Pastorate 26. Combined calendars, councils, formation programs, and outreach initiatives now reach across all three worship sites, while each site retains its own Mass schedule, staff presence, and identity. The canonical merger created Stella Maris Parish in 2025, with Fr. Eric Sternberg installed as its first pastor.
- Pastorate 26 includes Christ the King, St. Patrick, and Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Combined bulletin, calendar, and council meetings
- Pastorate-wide formation, youth, and evangelization events
- Fr. Eric Sternberg installed as first Pastor of Stella Maris Parish on July 13, 2025
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach Christ the King by phone, email, or in person at the parish office at 5306 Main Street, McFarland. The office is open Monday through Thursday (closed Fridays). Those unable to attend Mass in person are encouraged to call the parish office to arrange to receive the Eucharist.
- Address: 5306 Main Street, McFarland, WI 53558
- Phone: (608) 838-9797
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: myparish.com
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday (closed Friday)
- Communion for the homebound available by calling the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Arthur R. Koth1977
Pastor at the time of the 1977 parish directory.
- Fr. D. Stephen Smith2013
Pastor; oversaw religious education, youth formation, music ministry, and Generations of Faith.
- Fr. Stephen Brunner2021
Parochial Administrator; oversaw Eucharistic Adoration and weekend Mass schedule.
- Fr. David Carrano2024 (approx.)
Suggested the Encounter Nights initiative at Christ the King.
- Fr. Eric SternbergInstalled July 13, 2025
Installed as first Pastor of Stella Maris Parish by Bishop Donald J. Hying, with Christ the King as a worship site.