About Christ the King · Richland, Washington
Christ the King Catholic Church is the largest Catholic parish in the Tri-Cities of southeastern Washington, serving more than 2,800 families in Richland from its home on Stevens Drive. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Yakima and is led by Monsignor Thomas C. Champoux, supported by two parochial vicars, a senior priest in residence, three deacons, a parish school (preschool–8th grade), a youth ministry built on the Life Teen curriculum, and 74 organized ministries in charity, education, visitation, liturgy, and spirituality. Its most distinctive community tradition is Sausage Fest, an annual Oktoberfest-style fundraiser begun in 1977 that now draws up to 30,000 guests and ranks as the third-largest community event in the Tri-Cities. The parish's defining architectural feature is its striking circular worship space, first used on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1981.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Christ the King (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
- Rector
- Msgr. Thomas C. Champoux
- Diocese
- Diocese of Yakima
Why belong here
Christ the King is the largest parish in the Tri-Cities, so newcomers find a full Catholic life all in one place: daily and Sunday Masses in English and Spanish, a weekly Eucharistic Holy Hour with Reconciliation, a vibrant OCIA (RCIA) process, an elementary and middle school with a Montessori preschool, Life Teen–based middle and high school youth ministry, a parish library, and 74 organized ministries in charity, education, visitation, liturgy, and spirituality. Visitors are welcomed by name, the parish registers families into its database to serve them better, and the annual Sausage Fest — free admission and a Tri-Cities tradition since 1977 — embodies the parish's commitment to community. It is also a homecoming parish for returning Catholics through the Coming Home program.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursdays 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Saturdays beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the church (2:30 p.m. in winter)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (noon)
- Thursdays 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Parish History — Born from the Hanford Buildup
The parish's origin story is inseparable from the founding of the Hanford Engineer Works. In 1943 the federal government displaced the small communities of Richland, Hanford, and White Bluffs, and the Catholics there turned to Father William J. Sweeney at St. Joseph's in Kennewick. Masses moved from White Bluffs' Lady of the Rosary church into a small army tent, then into a 1,500-seat circus tent, while more than 50,000 construction workers poured into the site. The parish was blessed on February 11, 1945 by Bishop Charles White, became a self-sustaining parish on July 1, 1946, and joined the new Diocese of Yakima in 1951.
- 1943 — first Masses in White Bluffs; moves to army tent then 1,500-seat circus tent
- Christmas 1944 — first Mass in government-built stick-frame church
- February 11, 1945 — church blessed by Bishop Charles White (Spokane diocese)
- July 1, 1946 — Christ the King becomes its own parish with Fr. Sweeney as first pastor
- 1951 — joins the newly created Diocese of Yakima; CEE KAY Credit Union formed
- 1954 — 11-acre site bought from the federal government for $24,387; elementary school and convent built
- 1957 — three-year $300,000 drive to retire school/convent debt
- 1975 — Fr. John Heneghan assigned as Co-Pastor
- 1977 — first Sausage Fest fundraiser for the school
- 1978 — Msgr. Sweeney retires; Fr. John Murtagh becomes pastor
- 1980 — old church demolished; Mass held in school gym during construction
- April 11, 1981 (Palm Sunday) — first Mass in the new circular church
- 1983 — Fr. Richard Wuertz succeeds Fr. Murtagh as pastor
- 1986 — first two permanent deacons ordained (a third in 1989)
- 1996 — Fr. Thomas Champoux arrives as administrator; Msgr. Sweeney dies January 9
- 1997 — Fr. Champoux becomes pastor; Fr. Wuertz reassigned to Chelan
- 1999 — capital drive launched for parking, school classrooms, and church addition
- 2006 — Gathering Space addition with parish offices completed
- September 25, 2010 — five new permanent deacons ordained by Bishop Carlos Sevilla
- May 20, 2017 — Fr. Champoux elevated to Monsignor by Pope Francis on his 50th ordination anniversary
- November 24, 2019 — parish celebrates 75th anniversary on the Feast of Christ the King
Mission and Pastoral Vision
The parish's own mission statement frames the community as 'the Body of Christ called to gather for worship, cherish the traditions of our faith, witness the Gospel, minister to others, and be Christians in the world.' Parishioners are encouraged to register so the parish office can serve families better with directory data, sacraments, and pastoral care.
- We, the Christ the King Parish community, are the Body of Christ called to gather for worship, cherish the traditions of our faith, witness the Gospel, minister to others, and be Christians in the world.
- New and returning Catholics are invited to register online or by calling 509-946-1675.
- Returning Catholics welcomed through the Coming Home program.
Clergy, Deacons, and Parish Staff
Christ the King is currently served by Monsignor Thomas C. Champoux (Pastor), two parochial vicars, a senior priest in residence, and three permanent deacons, supported by an office team and a dedicated Faith Formation staff. Monsignor Champoux also serves as Administrator of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish in Benton City.
- Pastor — Msgr. Thomas C. Champoux (ext. 241; [email protected])
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Juan Flores (ext. 243; [email protected])
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Eduardo (Lalo) Chavez (ext. 247)
- Senior Priest in Residence — Rev. Vandennis (Van) Nguyen (509-713-9312)
- Deacons — Dor Collado, Alfredo Jocson, Ross Ronish (RCIA)
- Parish Secretary — Lorena McCary (or per older roster Cindy Siekawitch)
- Bookkeeper — Suzanne Russcher
- Contributions — Bette Miller
- Receptionist — Yolanda LeMieux
- Facilities Supervisor — Mike Patello (older roster: Myron Schauss)
- Music Director — Gavin Duncan
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation runs from early childhood through adulthood. The Religious Education office (509-946-1154) coordinates programs for every age under Director Crystal Cuevas, with separate coordinators for early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, Confirmation, and adults.
- Early Childhood Religious Education — Anna LeMieux and Mariah Vincent (509-940-1010)
- Elementary Religious Education — Inez Reilly (509-940-1011)
- Middle School Faith Formation — Sarah Moore (509-940-1012)
- Middle School Activities — Sarah Moore (509-940-1012)
- Life Teen (High School) — Melissa Montenegro (509-940-0101)
- Confirmation — Melissa Montenegro (509-940-0101)
- Adult Faith Formation — Meggin Sanner (541-571-8402)
- Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) — Jessie Wagnon ([email protected]); uses Loyola Press 'God's Gift' curriculum
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Deacon Ross Ronish
Youth Ministry (Middle and High School)
Both middle and high school programs use the Life Teen curriculum ('Bring teens closer to Christ'), combining catechesis with prayer, sacraments, friendship, service, and parent accompaniment. Friends of any church affiliation are always welcome.
- Middle School Faith Formation — Wednesdays 7–8 p.m. in the Gathering Space
- Pericope & Pancakes (Bible Study) — Sundays 6–7:30 p.m. in the Kramer House, using Lectio Divina and a pancake dinner
- Flock Night — middle-school faith and fellowship evening led by high schoolers; three times a year (October, January, April)
- High School LifeNites — Sundays 6–7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Space
- High School Bible Study — Wednesdays 7–8 p.m. in the Kramer House with a quesadilla dinner
- Annual mission trip, retreats, and conferences for high schoolers
Adult Faith Formation and Spirituality
Ongoing adult faith formation is presented as a lifelong vocation; the parish hosts multiple small groups and study programs for adults seeking continued spiritual growth.
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life
- Benedictine Spirituality Group
- Lay Carmelites
- Parish Library
- Adult Studies
- Coming Home — for returning Catholics
Christ the King Catholic School (CKCS)
The parish operates Christ the King Catholic School, a preschool through 8th-grade school with a Montessori preschool program, committed to forming the whole child — mind, body, and spirit — in partnership with parents and the parish community. The principal is Kris Peugh and the school's phone number is 509-946-6158.
- Preschool (with Montessori focus) through 8th grade
- Elementary (K–5) classrooms built as faith-centered learning communities
- Middle School (6–8) with virtue-based discipline, challenging academics, and a Google Chromebook issued to every student
- Mission: 'embrace and form the whole child — mind, body, and spirit' in virtue, faith, scholarship, leadership, and service
- Principal: Kris Peugh (509-946-6158)
- Website: https://www.ckschool.net/
Sausage Fest — Tri-Cities' Signature Parish Fundraiser
Held each September since 1977, Sausage Fest has grown from a small school fundraiser into the third-largest annual community event in the Tri-Cities, drawing up to 30,000 guests to a Bavarian village built on the parish parking lots. Admission remains free, and food is locally sourced within roughly a 40-mile radius. The 50th anniversary is set for September 18–19, 2026.
- Started Fall 1977 as a school fundraiser
- Free admission; food, games, bingo, arts & crafts, middle school dance, outdoor Biergarten with live music (21+)
- ~25,000 guests visit annually
- ~2,300 volunteers; ~150 volunteer chairs run booths and roles
- Food totals: 15,000 sausages, 10,000 buns, 7,000 ears of corn, 1,300 lbs French fries, 1,000 bierrocks, 1,050 baked potatoes, 380 lbs onion rings, 350 lbs tater tots
- Favorites: German sausages, bierrocks, pretzels, pies, funnel cakes, corn
- Contact: Theresa Woehle or Chelsea Klicker at [email protected]
- Sausage Fest 50 — September 18 and 19, 2026
Charitable Outreach and Visitation
The parish's Charitable ministries page grounds its outreach in Matthew 25:37–40 — 'whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me' — and links to parish, community, and diocesan organizations that feed, clothe, shelter, and visit those in need. A dedicated Visitation Ministry brings the Church to the homebound and sick.
- Visitation Ministry Coordinator — Betsy Owczarski (509-946-1675)
- Charitable ministries linked from the parish website (parish, community, and diocesan organizations)
- Service to the hungry, thirsty, stranger, ill, and imprisoned (Matthew 25:37–40)
- 74 organized ministries across charity, education, visitation, liturgy, and spirituality
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for the full sacramental life of the Church, from infant baptism through marriage and anointing, and welcomes older children and adults into the Catholic faith through dedicated yearlong programs.
- Baptism — infant and adult preparation available
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion — via Religious Education
- Confirmation — high school preparation
- Eucharist — daily and Sunday Masses (English and Spanish)
- Reconciliation — see confession schedule
- Anointing of the Sick — through the Visitation Ministry
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- OCIA — adults seeking full initiation
- CIC — children grades 4–12 needing initiation sacraments
Parish Identity and Patronal Feast
Christ the King is named for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the final Sunday of Ordinary Time each November — a feast instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to proclaim Christ's kingship over all creation. The parish celebrated its 75th anniversary on this feast day, November 24, 2019.
- Patron: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
- Feast Day: Solemnity of Christ the King (last Sunday of Ordinary Time)
- Feast date range: November 20–26 each year (varies by liturgical calendar)
- 75th anniversary celebrated November 24, 2019
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. William J. Sweeney1946–1978 (founding pastor); Pastor Emeritus 1978–1996
First pastor; began the mission in White Bluffs and tents in 1943; oversaw construction of the 1944–45 church, the school and convent, and the 1981 circular church transition planning; honored as Monsignor by Pope Paul VI in 1976; died January 9, 1996 after 36 years as pastor.
- Fr. John Heneghan1975–
Assigned as Co-Pastor in 1975 during the Sweeney era; helped launch the first Sausage Fest in 1977.
- Fr. John Murtagh1978–1983
Succeeded Msgr. Sweeney; oversaw demolition of the 1945 church in 1980 and construction of the new circular church, first used Palm Sunday 1981.
- Fr. Richard Wuertz1983–1997
Welcomed the parish's first permanent deacons in 1986; died May 30, 2001 after being reassigned to St. Francis de Sales, Chelan.
- Msgr. Thomas C. Champoux1996–present (administrator 1996, pastor 1997)
Elevated to Monsignor by Pope Francis on May 20, 2017, the 50th anniversary of his ordination; leads the parish of 2,800+ families and 74 organized ministries.