Christ the King

Parish History

Christ the King was established as an independent Catholic parish in Spencer in 1938 by Bishop McGavick, with Father Joseph Graf — previously stationed at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield — named the first pastor. Ground was broken September 5, 1938 and the cornerstone was laid October 30, 1938; a building committee led by Wilbur Straub, Melvin Tremmel, Robert Orgish, Peter Goeler, Ray Tack, and William Weis helped finance a new church, dedicated in 1939. The parish grew steadily through the mid-20th century, prompting an interior remodel in 1957 (with 142 contributing members) and the construction of the Seton Education Center under Father Andrew Bofenkamp. By the early 1990s the building was again outgrown, and in 1992 plans were launched to add a handicapped-accessible entrance and gathering space, completed in spring 1993 with the altar dedication and blessing on September 19, 1993. The parish marked its 75th anniversary on August 3, 2013 with Bishop Callahan and the presence of charter members.

Clergy & Staff

Christ the King is led by Fr. Irudayanathan (Nathan) Thainase, pastor of the linked Christ the King / Corpus Christi parishes. He is assisted by two deacons — Senior Deacon Jeff Austin and Permanent Deacon Ray Draeger — and a lay staff team based in the parish office in Spencer.

• Pastor: Rev. Irudayanathan Thainase ('Father Nathan') — [email protected], ext. 2
• Senior Deacon: Deacon Jeff Austin
• Permanent Deacon: Deacon Ray Draeger — [email protected]
• Administrative Assistant & Finance / Youth Minister: Stacy Wolf — [email protected], ext. 1
• Director of Religious Education: Deb Mlsna — [email protected], ext. 3
• Sacristan: Bonnie Jakel
• Maintenance: Lance Mews
• Rectory/Seton Center Housekeeping: Emily Bissonette
• Music: Paul Binder

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious education at Christ the King is coordinated by Director of Religious Education Deb Mlsna and spans early childhood through high school, with adult enrichment classes on Wednesday evenings. Confirmation is a two-year preparation, with formal invitation typically issued before a student's sophomore year; students are Confirmed in September with the deanery. Adult candidates for Confirmation prepare through the parish's RCIA program.

• Sunday School for ages 4–5 (not meeting for 2025-26)
• Ongoing Religious Education classes for school-age children
• Confirmation preparation — two-year program, typically beginning in 10th grade; adult option via RCIA
• Students Confirmed each September with the deanery
• Youth Ministry / Youth Group
• Adult Education & Enrichment classes — Wednesdays 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, 1st and 3rd weeks
• CCD Appreciation Dinner (PCCW hosts the teachers)

Parish Organizations & Committees

Parish life is organized around four diocesan standing committees — Education, Family Life, Social Justice, and Sacred Worship — and two long-standing organizations: the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) and the Holy Name Society. Members of the parish are automatically members of the PCCW, which meets quarterly (March, May, September, November) and is grouped into circles that rotate service for funeral meals and other events. The Holy Name Society gathers for an annual pancake breakfast, parish picnic cookout, and social nights.

• PCCW President: Diane Witmer — [email protected]
• PCCW Circles include St. Ann's Circle; rotational funeral-meal service
• Holy Name Society President: Todd Rueth — [email protected], 715-650-2662
• Treasurer (Holy Name): Tom Springob, 715-207-5966
• Family Life Committee — Baptism ministry, Bereavement, Caregivers, Hospitality, Lenten Soup Dinner, Operation Christmas Child, Parish Picnic, Pilgrimage, Prayer Chain
• Sacred Worship, Education, and Social Justice Committees

Outreach & Charity

Outreach is central to the parish's identity. The King's Community Food Pantry is housed at Christ the King and staffed by members of all four Spencer congregations, serving the wider community. Each year the parish also supports Mariann's Closet (winter clothing drive), the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry, a Christmas Giving Tree, the Hannah Center (a local refuge for at-risk women and children), and a parish picnic and Lenten Soup Dinner.

• King's Community Food Pantry — Arlyn and Joyce Abegglen, 715-659-5181
• Kitchen Angel line: 715-659-4480 ext. 5
• Operation Christmas Child
• Christmas Giving Tree
• Mariann's Closet winter clothing drive
• Hannah Center baby showers for at-risk women and children
• Lenten Soup Dinner
• Parish Picnic (Holy Name Society grills)
• High-school graduate brunch and scholarships (PCCW + Holy Name each contribute $500)

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Families preparing for Baptism, children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation, couples preparing for Marriage, and those seeking Anointing of the Sick are invited to contact the parish office. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons and on First Fridays, as well as by appointment.

• Baptism preparation (through Family Life Committee Baptism ministry)
• First Communion — PCCW gives each child a rosary and prayer book
• Confirmation — see Faith Formation section
• Marriage — contact the parish office for preparation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Reconciliation — see Mass & Confession Schedule

Visiting & Contact

Christ the King warmly welcomes newcomers, visitors, and long-time parishioners to any of its Masses. The parish office in Spencer serves both Christ the King and Corpus Christi; office hours are Monday–Thursday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, and Friday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm (remote by email/phone/text on Fridays).

• Mailing address (both parishes): 306 S LaSalle St, Spencer, WI 54479
• Christ the King physical address: 208 S LaSalle St, Spencer, WI 54479
• Corpus Christi (linked parish) address: 10075 County Hwy BB, Marshfield, WI 54449
• Phone: 715-659-4480
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 7:30 am – 4:00 pm; Fri 7:30 am – 12:30 pm (remote)

Diocese & Wider Church

Christ the King is a parish of the Diocese of La Crosse and belongs to the Marshfield Deanery. The parish is engaged in the diocesan 'Rebuild My Church' renewal process led by Bishop Battersby, which is calling the faithful to pivot 'from maintenance to mission' through listening sessions and parish-level discernment.

• Diocese: Diocese of La Crosse (diolc.org)
• Deanery: Marshfield
• Current bishop referenced: Bishop Battersby (Diocese of La Crosse renewal initiative)
• Diocesan parish profile: diolc.org/parish/christ-the-king-spencer/