About Christ the King · Terrytown, Louisiana
Christ the King is a multicultural Roman Catholic parish in Terrytown, Louisiana, in the New Orleans metro area, belonging to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Founded in 1962 by Father W. Michael Landry on the appointment of Archbishop John P. Cody, it has grown into one of the larger congregations in the archdiocese and serves its community with Mass celebrated in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The parish is pastored by Rev. Michael Nam Nguyen, supported by two deacons and a full lay pastoral staff, and runs a wide range of ministries for children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- Christ the King (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Nam Nguyen
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
Christ the King welcomes parishioners and visitors into a deliberately multicultural Catholic community where the Eucharist is celebrated in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese every weekend. It pairs its liturgical life with hands-on formation — RCIA, Adult Confirmation preparation, the Come Lord Jesus Bible Study (two weekly groups), CYO youth groups for grades 5–12, and a Children's Liturgy of the Word — and reaches outward through Knights of Columbus collections for Grace House, the only substance-use disorder treatment facility for women in the Greater New Orleans area. A simple online giving system (OSV Hub) and an active live-streamed Sunday 10:30 AM Mass make it easy to participate even from a distance.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM (during Holy Hour)
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:20 PM
- Saturday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Spanish)
- Friday 6:30 PM (during the Stations of the Cross, Lent)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (following the 6:30 PM Mass)
- Friday 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (during Advent)
- First Friday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Spanish/English)
Parish Identity & Mission
Christ the King Parish describes itself as 'a Catholic community of diverse and multicultural experiences' that invites all to participate in fellowship with God through the Eucharist and to serve as enthusiastic members of the flock of Jesus Christ. It belongs to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and sits on Deerfield Road in Terrytown, on the Westbank of greater New Orleans.
- Mission: Catholic community of diverse and multicultural experiences centered on the Eucharist.
- Patron: Christ the King (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe).
- Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans.
- Mother-parish: St. Anthony Parish, New Orleans.
Parish History
Founded in 1962 under Archbishop John P. Cody and grown into one of the largest congregations in the archdiocese, the parish has been shaped by a small succession of long-tenured pastors. The original church-school complex was dedicated in 1964, and a larger, dedicated church was consecrated in 1982 by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan. The parish celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1987 with a Mass, parade, and yearbook.
- 1962 — First Mass on the Feast of Christ the King, October 28, by founding pastor Father W. Michael Landry.
- 1963 — Groundbreaking for church-school complex; Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross staff the school.
- 1964 — Complex dedicated on April 12 by Archbishop Cody.
- 1982 — New church consecrated by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan.
- 1986 — Statue of Christ the King in front of church dedicated November 23.
- 1987 — 25th anniversary celebrated with Mass, parade, 10K race, and yearbook.
Devotions
Alongside weekly Mass, the parish maintains a regular devotional rhythm: the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena on Tuesday mornings, a Wednesday evening Holy Hour, and Lenten Stations of the Cross on Fridays in both English and Spanish.
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena — Tuesdays 9:30 AM.
- Holy Hour — Wednesdays following the 6:30 PM Mass (7:00–8:00 PM) and First Fridays at 7:00 PM.
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays 6:30 PM English and 8:00 PM Spanish during Lent.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Christ the King spans cradle-to-adult. Children in grades 1–5 are invited to Children's Liturgy of the Word at the Saturday Vigil Mass, while the Come Lord Jesus Bible Study gathers adults twice weekly. RCIA welcomes unbaptized adults and Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholic adults who have not yet received Confirmation can complete their Sacraments of Initiation through Adult Confirmation Preparation.
- RCIA — for unbaptized adults and Christians seeking full communion.
- Adult Confirmation Preparation — for baptized Catholics completing the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Come Lord Jesus Bible Study — Tuesdays 10:00 AM and Thursdays 6:30 PM.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — Saturday 6:30 PM, grades 1–5.
Youth Ministry
The parish's CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) runs two monthly groups meeting on the first Wednesday of each month from 6:00–7:30 PM in the CTK Library. The groups emphasize 'Fun / Faith / Food / Friends' and welcome guests to bring a friend. A Summer Bible Camp runs annually (most recently July 15–19, 2024, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM) for children in grades 1–6, with activities, crafts, Bible readings, prayers, lunch and snacks.
- Junior High CYO — grades 5–8.
- Senior High CYO — grades 8–12.
- First Wednesday of every month, 6:00–7:30 PM, CTK Library.
- Summer Bible Camp — grades 1–6, $5/day with donations accepted.
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music is coordinated by Roberto S Matthews, the parish's Minister of Music, who can be reached at [email protected]. The 10:30 AM Sunday Mass is the parish's live-streamed liturgy, indicating it as the flagship weekend celebration supported by the music ministry.
- Minister of Music: Roberto S Matthews.
Outreach & Charity
Outward charity is a visible part of parish life. The Knights of Columbus at Christ the King have organized collection drives for Grace House — described by the parish as the only substance-use disorder treatment facility exclusively for women in the Greater New Orleans area. Donations typically include personal hygiene items, back-to-school supplies, clothing, and sanitary products.
- Knights of Columbus drive for Grace House (women's substance-use treatment).
- Typical items collected: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, lotion, underwear, shower shoes, backpacks, art supplies, reading glasses, reusable water bottles, and women's sanitary products.
Parish School (Christ the King Parish School)
Christ the King Parish School opened alongside the original 1964 church-school complex and was staffed at founding by the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross, with Sister Judith Coreil as its first principal. The school operated for more than 50 years. In January 2020, Pastor Rev. Michael Nam Nguyen and Archdiocese of New Orleans Superintendent of Schools RaeNell Houston jointly announced that the school would close at the end of the 2019–2020 school year due to declining enrollment (under 200 students) and worsening finances; it was the fifth Catholic school in the metro area to close in two years.
- Original school: 2106 Deerfield Road, Terrytown, LA 70056.
- Opened 1964 with the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross.
- First principal: Sister Judith Coreil.
- Announced closure: January 2020 (effective end of 2019–2020 school year).
Giving & Parish Life
Parish support is handled through OSV Hub online giving, with Fr. Michael Nam and the parish thanking donors for their continued generosity. Bulletin announcements are coordinated by Parish Secretary Neva Frazier and must be submitted two weeks in advance. The parish also sends a weekly email bulletin update through the Discover Mass notification system.
- Online giving via OSV Hub.
- Weekly email bulletin available via the Discover Mass notification signup.
- Bulletin submissions: two weeks in advance, through the parish office.
Staff & Leadership
Parish life is led by Rev. Michael Nam Nguyen and supported by two permanent deacons, a Pastoral Assistant, a Parish Catechetical Leader, and a finance/secretarial team. Staff can be reached directly by extension through the parish office at 504-361-1500.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael Nam Nguyen ([email protected]).
- Deacon William B. Jarrell — ext. 14 ([email protected]).
- Deacon John Walker, IV.
- Pastoral Assistant: Linda Jarrell — ext. 16 ([email protected]).
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Dewanna Treadway ([email protected]).
- Parish Secretary: Neva Frazier — ext. 10 ([email protected]).
- Financial Secretary: Kelley Cartner — ext. 18 ([email protected]).
- Minister of Music: Roberto S Matthews ([email protected]).
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can contact the parish by phone, fax, or email, or stop by the parish office on Deerfield Road during weekday office hours. The Archdiocese of New Orleans also maintains a Safe Environment Office and Victims Assistance Coordinator (Joseph Pistorius) whose contact information is posted on the parish website, alongside the reporting hotline (504-861-6253) and email ([email protected]).
- Address: 535 Deerfield Road, Terrytown, LA 70056.
- Phone: 504-361-1500 — Fax: 504-361-0632.
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Victims Assistance hotline: 504-861-6253 (Archdiocese of New Orleans).
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. W. Michael LandryOctober 1962 – June 1964
Founding pastor, appointed September 12, 1962 by Archbishop John P. Cody; offered first Mass October 28, 1962.
- Rev. John E. PregenserJuly 1964 – April 1970
Led early growth of the parish.
- Rev. Michael J. KillougheyMay 1970 – August 1974
Continued growth alongside Father Pregenser; parish became one of the largest congregations in the archdiocese.
- Rev. Joseph BourgeoisAugust 1974 – June 1996
Returned as pastor after serving as parochial vicar under Father Pregenser; oversaw the church building program and consecration of the new church in 1982.
- Rev. Lawrence HeckerAugust 1996 – January 2000
- Rev. Jose A. LadraJanuary 2000 – August 2000
Administrator.
- Rev. Kenneth Bourgesen, O.SS.T.August 2000 – October 2002
Order of the Most Holy Trinity (Trinitarians).
- Rev. Jose A. LadraNovember 2002 – September 2006
Returned for a second term as pastor.
- Rev. Michael Nam NguyenOctober 2007 – present
Current pastor.