About Christ the King · Springfield, Illinois
Christ the King Parish is a Roman Catholic parish located on the west side of Springfield, Illinois, in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Founded on July 31, 1963, when it was carved out of Blessed Sacrament Parish, it has grown to serve over 1,600 registered families (approximately 3,222 parishioners) and operates an affiliated Catholic school, Christ the King School. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses, a full schedule of confession and Eucharistic Adoration, a vibrant music and liturgical ministry, RCIA, the Parish School of Religion, and a wide array of parish groups. Under current pastor Very Rev. Mark W. Tracy, V.E., and parochial vicar Fr. Alex McCullough, Christ the King continues to seek to be 'active coworkers with Christ our King in building-up his kingdom' through prayer, service, formation, and hospitality.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- Christ the King
- Rector
- Very Rev. Mark W. Tracy, V.E.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
Christ the King is one of the larger parishes in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, with more than 1,600 registered families and an active parish school, offering a full sacramental life — daily Mass, three Sunday Masses, confession six days a week, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration. Members can get involved in dozens of established groups, from the Men's Club, Altar & Rosary Society, Legion of Mary, Over 50 Club, Garden Club, Funeral Luncheon Committee, Prayer Line and Good Samaritans to parish nursing, RCIA, Parish School of Religion, a strong music ministry, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and the St. John's Breadline. It is a west-side Springfield parish with deep roots since 1963, a Vatican II–designed church that was thoroughly renovated in 2016, livestreamed Masses on YouTube, and a clear mission of prayer, service, formation and hospitality.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 6:50 a.m.
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (parish website)
Parish History
Christ the King Parish was established on July 31, 1963, carved out of the west end of Blessed Sacrament Parish by Bishop William A. O'Connor. The name deliberately recalled Pope Pius XI's institution of the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 — the same year Blessed Sacrament opened its first school. The school and convent that would become Christ the King School were built in 1957–58 and dedicated on October 26, 1958, after a half-million-dollar fundraising campaign. Founding pastor Msgr. John W. Bretz celebrated the first parish Mass in the school gymnasium on July 31, 1963; ground was broken for the present church on October 20, 1970 and the church was dedicated on November 20, 1972. The parish marked the church's 25th anniversary in 1997 and its 50th in 2022.
- Founded July 31, 1963 — carved out of Blessed Sacrament Parish by Bishop William A. O'Connor
- School and convent dedicated Oct. 26, 1958; Dominican Sisters staffed the first classes
- Present church dedicated Nov. 20, 1972 — designed to reflect Vatican II liturgical reforms
- 25th anniversary of the church celebrated Oct. 25, 1997
- 50th anniversary of the church building celebrated Nov. 26, 2022
Clergy and Parish Staff
Christ the King is currently served by Very Rev. Mark W. Tracy, V.E. as pastor and Rev. Alex McCullough as parochial vicar, with Deacon Thomas Scott Keen assisting. The lay staff runs the parish office, finances, music ministry, ministry scheduling, and the RCIA program. A seminarian is also assigned to the parish. The current pastor is the sixth to lead the parish, following Msgr. John W. Bretz (1963–1989), Rev. Donald J. Meehling (1989–1995), Msgr. David S. Lantz (1996–2012), Rev. Joseph Ring (2012–2020), and Very Rev. Christopher House, V.J. (2020–2025).
- Pastor: Very Rev. Mark W. Tracy, V.E.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Alex McCullough
- Deacon: Deacon Thomas Scott Keen
- Parish Office Manager: Erin Selinger
- Parish Business Manager: Nicole Bull-Eguez
- Music Director / Liturgical Music Coordinator: Linda Younkin
- Ministry Scheduler: Ann Forrler
- RCIA Coordinator: Dennis Trickey
- Seminarian
Parochial Vicars Through the Years
In addition to its six pastors, Christ the King has been served by a long succession of parochial vicars since 1963. The parish remembers especially Rev. George Nesbitt, who briefly served in 1979 before his death. Several priests — including David Lantz and Christopher House — went on to become pastors of the parish themselves.
- Rev. Leo Sestak (1963–67)
- Rev. Michael R. Kuse (1967–70)
- Rev. Robert Spriggs (1970–72)
- Rev. Larry Boehler (1972–76)
- Rev. James O'Shea (1976–78)
- Rev. James Neuman (1979–84)
- Rev. David Lantz (1984–89)
- Rev. Anthony Thieman (1989–90)
- Rev. Joe Kerber (1990–93)
- Rev. Don Roberts (1990–93)
- Rev. Doug Lichtenberger (1993)
- Rev. Brendan Keane (1993–97)
- Rev. Barry Harmon (1993–97)
- Rev. David Zimmerman (1997–00)
- Rev. Thomas Dennis (2000–01)
- Rev. Christopher House (2002–03)
- Rev. Clinton Honkomp, OP (2004–05; 2021–23)
- Rev. Michael Berndt (2020–21)
- Rev. Wayne Stock (2023–24)
- Rev. Alex McCullough (2024–present)
Liturgical Ministries
The parish supports a full complement of liturgical ministries. Servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, musicians, and an audio/visual team (which runs the sound, projector, livestream cameras, and live-streaming software) all assist at Sunday Mass, holy days, weddings, funerals, and Reconciliation services.
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Musicians (see Music Ministry)
- Audio / Visual Ministry (sound, projector, livestream)
Music Ministry
Directed by Music Director Linda Younkin, Christ the King's music ministry aims 'to bring people closer to God through music' by adding beauty to the liturgy and encouraging congregational singing. Volunteer singers and instrumentalists provide music for weekend Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals, and Reconciliation services, and several ensembles serve different liturgical styles.
- Music Director: Linda Younkin
- Contact: [email protected]
- Multiple musical groups including a contemporary ensemble (used at the Sunday 5:00 p.m. Mass) and traditional choirs
- Provides music for funerals, weddings, and Reconciliation services
Faith Formation: RCIA and Parish School of Religion
The parish welcomes anyone who wants to learn more about the Catholic faith. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process is coordinated by Dennis Trickey. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides religious education for parish children; sessions are scheduled throughout the school year and announced in the bulletin.
- RCIA Coordinator: Dennis Trickey
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) for parish children
- Bible Study sessions offered throughout the year (announced in the bulletin)
Parish Ministry Groups and Organizations
Christ the King has a deep bench of parish groups covering fellowship, service, prayer, gardening, and outreach. Most are open to all parishioners; some — like the Men's Club and Altar and Rosary Society — consider every adult parishioner an automatic member, while others (Legion of Mary, Garden Club, Good Samaritans, Parish Nurse Ministry) recruit volunteers actively.
- Altar and Rosary Society — affiliated with the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (President: Ann Forrler)
- CTK Men's Club — religious, social, and fund-raising events; supports church, school, athletics, scouting ([email protected])
- Over 50 Club — meets First Friday (Oct–May) at 6:00 p.m.; awards 2–4 scholarships a year
- Garden Club — maintains parish landscaping
- Legion of Mary — meets Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Library
- Funeral Luncheon Committee — prepares meals for the bereaved
- Prayer Line — Pam Miller 217-698-0088; John Dee 217-546-8288; Sharon Schultz 217-691-4340
- Christ the King Good Samaritans
- Parish Nurse Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Bible Study (ongoing)
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is a core part of parish life. Christ the King parishioners support the St. John's Breadline and an annual Parish Service Day, as well as ongoing service through St. Vincent de Paul, the Good Samaritans, and the Parish Nurse Ministry's care for the sick, health counseling, and health-education programs.
- St. John's Breadline
- Parish Service Day
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Christ the King Good Samaritans
- Parish Nurse Ministry — visits the sick and provides health education and advocacy
Christ the King School
Christ the King School shares the campus at Chatham Road and Barberry Drive and is the direct continuation of the school built in 1957–58 and dedicated October 26, 1958. Originally staffed by four Dominican Sisters, today it enrolls more than 400 students with a preschool for three- and four-year-olds (added in 1997). A $107,000 summer 2016 renovation created a new preschool classroom and modified another preschool classroom and restrooms.
- Mission: 'in partnership with families, empowers children in a Catholic faith journey, promotes academic excellence, and inspires life-long service within a safe and loving parish community'
- School website: ctkcougars.com
- PreK–8; preschool added in 1997
- Current enrollment over 400 students
Worship Space and Renovations
The present church was dedicated November 20, 1972 and intentionally designed to reflect Vatican II liturgical principles, with emphasis on congregational participation. A major $1.73 million renovation was completed in October 2016 — the parish worshipped in the school gymnasium for nearly five months during the work. The renovation included a complete vestibule overhaul, four new handicapped-accessible restrooms, tile replacing much of the original 1972 carpeting, new lighting and a new sound system, a marble baptism area, new kneelers, wheelchair accommodations in the worship area, and the removal of the original back-of-church confessionals. All funds were raised through a parish capital campaign.
- Original church dedicated Nov. 20, 1972 (50th anniversary celebrated Nov. 26, 2022)
- 2016 renovation cost: $1.73 million
- New vestibule, marble baptism area, new kneelers, wheelchair accommodations
- New lighting and sound system; tile replaces original 1972 carpeting
- Confessionals at the rear of the worship area removed
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 1930 Barberry Drive, Springfield, IL 62704, by phone at 217-546-3527 or by email at [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Saturday 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass is livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel, 'Christ the King Parish Springfield IL,' and recordings are posted afterward. Christ the King is part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, whose current bishop is Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki.
- Address: 1930 Barberry Dr, Springfield, IL 62704
- Phone: 217-546-3527
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ctkparish.com
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Livestream: YouTube — Christ the King Parish Springfield IL
- Diocese: Diocese of Springfield in Illinois (Bishop Thomas John Paprocki)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. John W. Bretz1963–1989
Founding pastor; celebrated the parish's first Mass on July 31, 1963 in the school gymnasium; oversaw the building and 1972 dedication of the present church; retired June 20, 1989.
- Rev. Donald J. Meehling1989–1995
- Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz1996–2012
Had earlier served the parish as a parochial vicar (1984–1989).
- Rev. Joseph Ring2012–2020
- Very Rev. Christopher House, V.J.2020–2025
- Very Rev. Mark W. Tracy, V.E.2025–present
Current pastor.