About Christ the King Mission · Fresno, California
Christ the King Mission is a small Catholic mission church in the unincorporated community of Malaga, just south of Fresno, California. It is not a stand-alone parish but rather a mission of St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in Fresno, and both communities are served by the Claretian Missionary Fathers (Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) of the Diocese of Fresno. The mission sits in a high-poverty, largely Hispanic neighborhood and is one of the older rural Catholic churches in the area, drawing worshippers from Malaga, surrounding agricultural communities, and Fresno itself. Worship is celebrated bilingually, with strong Spanish-language Mass attendance that historically brought some 300 people together each weekend.
- Established
- 1933
- Patron
- Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
- Rector
- Rev. Arthur Gramaje, CMF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
Christ the King Mission is the spiritual home of a faithful, predominantly Hispanic Catholic community in Malaga that has worshipped on this site for nearly a century. Worshippers are welcomed by Claretian priests who have served this congregation since 1954, and weekend Masses in Spanish consistently draw around 300 people. Visitors can experience a historic 1933 mission-style church, a bilingual worship environment shaped by both longstanding farming families and newer arrivals, and a close-knit congregation that gathers around the Eucharist and the sacraments as one parish with St. Anthony Mary Claret.
Mass times at Christ the King Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at St. Anthony Claret Church (the mother parish) — contact the rectory at (559) 255-4260 for the current schedule
Adoration times
- Adoration is offered at St. Anthony Claret Church, the mother parish — see the parish schedule for current hours
Welcome to Christ the King Mission
Christ the King Mission is a small Catholic mission church serving the community of Malaga, an unincorporated area just south of Fresno. Together with St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in Fresno, the mission forms one parish served by the Claretian Missionaries of the Diocese of Fresno. The parish's bilingual weekend Masses are a long-standing gathering point for farm-working families, longtime locals, and newer arrivals to the area.
- Mission of St. Anthony Mary Claret Church, Fresno
- Served by Claretian (CMF) priests since 1954
- Diocese of Fresno
- Bilingual English/Spanish worship
Our History
The white mission-style church was built in 1933 to serve Catholic families in the small San Joaquin Valley community of Malaga. For its first two decades it had no formal parish structure; visiting priests celebrated Mass and the sacraments for the local faithful. In 1954 the Claretian Missionaries from St. Anthony Claret took responsibility for the church's pastoral care and upkeep. The mission's interior was substantially renovated around 2011 to preserve the aging historic structure.
- 1933 — Church building constructed
- 1954 — Claretian Missionaries take responsibility for the mission
- c. 2011 — Major interior renovation to preserve the historic building
- Today — Continues as a mission of St. Anthony Mary Claret parish
The Claretian Missionaries at Christ the King
Christ the King is one of the apostolates of the Claretian Missionaries (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, C.M.F.) in California's Central Valley. The congregation's commitment to the spiritual needs of the poor and to Hispanic Catholic tradition is part of the reason the mission has been maintained in this small, high-poverty community for more than seven decades. Three Claretian priests have historically alternated week-by-week ministry between St. Anthony Claret and Christ the King.
- Three Claretian priests alternate between St. Anthony Claret and Christ the King
- Pastoral commitment to the poor and to Hispanic Catholic tradition
- Mission aligned with the Claretian charism of evangelization
Patron and Feast Day
The mission is named for Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. According to the parish's own pastoral witness, the title was chosen in conscious memory of the Mexican Cristero movement, when 'Viva Cristo Rey!' ('Long live Christ the King!') became the rallying cry of Catholics persecuted by the Mexican government in the 1920s. The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe is celebrated on the final Sunday of the liturgical year, in late November.
- Patron: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
- Feast: Solemnity of Christ the King — last Sunday of the liturgical year
- Established as a universal feast by Pope Pius XI in 1925
Sacraments
Because Christ the King is a mission church rather than an independent parish, sacramental preparation and many celebrations are coordinated through the mother parish, St. Anthony Mary Claret. The sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is regularly available at St. Anthony Claret; parishioners are encouraged to call the rectory for the current confession schedule.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation — celebrated at St. Anthony Claret
Faith Formation & Catechesis
Children's catechesis has been a core part of the mission's ministry since the Claretians arrived in 1954. The parish continues to offer religious education and sacramental preparation for the children and families of Malaga and surrounding neighborhoods, coordinated through St. Anthony Claret parish.
- Catechism for children
- Sacramental preparation
- Family faith formation rooted in Hispanic Catholic tradition
Parish Identity & Mission Statement
St. Anthony Mary Claret parish — which encompasses Christ the King Mission — describes itself as 'a community of faith, hope, and love called to share Christ's presence, especially as we welcome and accompany people on the margins.' This identity is lived out concretely at Christ the King, where longtime farm-working families, newer arrivals, and visitors gather together for worship in the historic Malaga church.
- Bilingual parish community
- Outreach to people on the margins
- Hospitality to farm-working and immigrant families
Visiting Christ the King Mission
Christ the King Mission sits in the small community of Malaga, about 6 miles south-southeast of downtown Fresno. Visitors coming from Fresno can take CA-99 South to Exit 127 (Central Ave), turn left, then turn left again onto Chestnut Ave, cross the overpass, and take the first right onto Calvin Ave — the church is on the right. The mission is only about 2 miles from St. Anthony Claret parish offices and church.
- Address: 3545 S. Calvin Ave., Fresno, CA 93725
- Phone: (559) 255-4260
- Located in Malaga, ~6 miles SSE of downtown Fresno
- ~2 miles from St. Anthony Mary Claret Church
Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Christ the King Mission. As a small mission church without a dedicated parish hall, fellowship often happens organically around weekend Masses and through the ministries of St. Anthony Mary Claret parish. Those interested in serving or in learning more are encouraged to contact the rectory at (559) 255-4260.
- Welcome at all weekend Spanish Masses
- Hospitality and fellowship ministries
- Contact the rectory to volunteer or learn more
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Arthur Gramaje, CMF
Listed as current pastor of Christ the King Mission on parish directory pages.
- Fr. Gabriel Ruiz, CMF
Pastor of St. Anthony Claret and one of three Claretian priests who alternated weekly ministry at Christ the King Mission, as described in a 2013 National Shrine of St. Jude profile.