About Christ the King · Topeka, Kansas
Christ the King Catholic Church is a large parish in southwest Topeka, Kansas, belonging to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Founded on November 1, 1977, the parish grew rapidly from 585 founding families to over 1,900 households today. The parish campus at 5973 SW 25th Street includes the church, an adjoining Catholic elementary school (K-8), and an Early Education Center serving infants through preschoolers, and is led by Fr. Matthew Schiffelbein as pastor and Fr. Jaime Zarse as associate pastor. Christ the King is known for its active faith-formation programming (CCD, Totus Tuus, sacramental prep), its annual Rome Sweet Home Italian Festival each September, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, and a tradition of community fellowship such as Sunday Donuts in Yadrich Hall.
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- Christ the King (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
- Rector
- Fr. Matthew Schiffelbein
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Christ the King offers the full sacramental and parish life of a large, established Catholic community: three Sunday Masses and a Saturday vigil, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, a robust Wednesday-evening CCD program (K-8) with sacramental prep for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, plus the Totus Tuus summer youth program hosted jointly with Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish. Families also benefit from an on-site Catholic elementary school (CTK School, K-8) and an Early Education Center for infants through preschoolers, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, regular Confession times, a St. Monica Ministry that prays for return to the faith, a Rosary Garden Group, and a warmly welcoming fellowship tradition — Sunday Donuts after the 9:15 a.m. Mass on the first Sunday of each month in Yadrich Hall.
Mass times at Christ the King
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:40 AM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (24 hours a day; sign up via the parish office)
About Christ the King Parish
Christ the King Catholic Church is a large, family-oriented parish in southwest Topeka, Kansas, belonging to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The parish serves over 1,900 households with three Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, a Catholic elementary school (K-8), an Early Education Center, and a wide range of faith-formation, fellowship, and outreach ministries. The parish community gathers around the parish school, the CCD program, the Totus Tuus summer youth program, the Rosary Garden, the St. Monica Ministry, and the annual Rome Sweet Home Italian Festival each September.
- Founded November 1, 1977 by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker
- Over 1,900 households today
- Part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
- Located at 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka, KS 66614
Parish History
Archbishop Ignatius Strecker established Christ the King Parish on November 1, 1977, with Father John B. Yadrich appointed as the founding pastor and 585 families forming the new community of faith. The parish's identity is still tied to those roots — its fellowship hall is named Yadrich Hall in honor of its first pastor. In August 1995 the parish school building was completed and dedicated by Archbishop James Keleher on August 6, 1995; by November 1997 the school was serving 310 K-8 students and 90 Early Education students. Today the parish is home to more than 1,900 households and continues to expand its school, formation programs, and parish-wide events.
- Founded Nov. 1, 1977 by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker
- Founding pastor: Fr. John B. Yadrich (Yadrich Hall named for him)
- School dedicated Aug. 6, 1995 by Archbishop James Keleher
- 1,900+ households today
Pastoral Staff
Christ the King is currently served by Fr. Matthew Schiffelbein as pastor and Fr. Jaime Zarse as associate pastor. The parish and school share an integrated campus, with a school principal (Relynn Reynoso), school secretary (Melissa Bluml), and a parish Steward of Formation & Evangelization (Brenda, [email protected]). Volunteers working with youth are required to complete Virtus training and a Protecting God's Children session.
- Pastor: Fr. Matthew Schiffelbein (785-273-0710)
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Jaime Zarse (785-273-0710)
- Steward of Formation & Evangelization: Brenda ([email protected])
- School Principal: Relynn Reynoso
- Early Education Center contact: Dawn Brown, 272-2999, [email protected]
CTK Catholic Elementary School (K–8)
Christ the King Elementary (K-8) School is a ministry of Christ the King Church to its families and the greater Topeka community. The school building was completed and dedicated by Archbishop James Keleher on August 6, 1995. As of recent records the school serves about 310 students in K-8 with a class size of 19-20 and a 1-to-19/20 teacher-student ratio, plus classroom paras in grades K, 1, and 2. School hours run 7:50 AM to 3:10 PM. The principal is Relynn Reynoso. The school welcomes member families as well as Catholic and non-Catholic families seeking a Catholic education.
- Grades K-8, on-campus
- Class size 19-20; teacher-student ratio ~1:19/20
- School hours 7:50 AM – 3:10 PM
- Website: ctkschooltopeka.org | Phone: (785) 272-2220
- Principal: Relynn Reynoso
CTK Early Education Center
The Early Education Center is a ministry of Christ the King serving newborns through age 5. It operates as a separately managed preschool program co-located with the parish and elementary school.
- Ages newborn through 5
- Phone: (785) 272-2999
- Email: [email protected]
- Director: Dawn Brown
Faith Formation & CCD (K-8)
The parish CCD program partners with parents to form young Catholics who know and love Jesus Christ. CCD classes meet Wednesday evenings from September through May and serve students in kindergarten through 8th grade who attend public schools or home school. Registration for 2026-2027 opens July 1, 2026. Fees are $65 per student for parish members and $75 per student for non-members, with a $165 family cap; families whose parent volunteers as a catechist, assistant catechist, or volunteer all year receive free registration.
- Wednesday evenings, September–May
- Parish member $65 / Non-member $75 per student; $165 family cap
- Free for families of volunteer catechists/assistants
- Contact: Brenda, [email protected]
Sacramental Preparation
Sacramental preparation is integrated into the CCD program. First Reconciliation is prepared during the fall semester of 2nd grade; First Holy Communion is celebrated in the spring of 2nd grade. Confirmation is a two-year process beginning in 7th grade (Confirmation 1) and culminating in 8th grade (Confirmation 2). Older students who have not yet received sacraments are encouraged to contact Brenda at [email protected].
- First Reconciliation: 2nd grade, fall semester
- First Communion: 2nd grade, spring semester (Sunday, May 2, 2027)
- Confirmation: 7th-8th grade, two-year program
- Older students: contact Brenda at [email protected]
Totus Tuus Summer Youth Program
Each summer, Christ the King partners with neighboring Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish to host the Totus Tuus youth program for students entering grades 1-12. The week is led by trained missionaries (mostly college-aged and young adults) and combines catechesis, Mass, confession, adoration, prayer, games, and fun.
- For students entering grades 1-12
- Hosted jointly with Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish
- Led by trained Totus Tuus missionaries
- Includes Mass, confession, adoration, and catechesis
Parish Fellowship & Prayer Groups
Christ the King nurtures community life through several ongoing groups. The Rosary Garden Group prays the Rosary together on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (May–October in the Rosary Garden; November–April in the church). Sunday Donuts offers fellowship, donuts, coffee, and juice in Yadrich Hall after the 9:15 AM Mass on the first Sunday of each month. The St. Monica Ministry prays for friends and family members who have fallen away from active Catholic practice.
- Rosary Garden Group — 3rd Tuesday each month
- Sunday Donuts — 1st Sunday after 9:15 AM Mass in Yadrich Hall
- St. Monica Ministry — prayer for return to the faith
Rome Sweet Home Italian Festival
The Rome Sweet Home Italian Festival is Christ the King's signature annual parish event, held every 4th Saturday in September. The festival is open to the wider community and features a 5K Run, Rosary, Mass, Italian Pasta Buffet, bounce houses and kids' games, BINGO for all ages, beer and wine tents, food trucks, live music, and a fireworks display at dusk.
- Held every 4th Saturday in September
- Includes 5K Run, Mass, Rosary, Italian Pasta Buffet
- BINGO, bounce houses, food trucks, live music
- Fireworks display at dusk
Becoming a Parishioner
Christ the King invites new members to register through its online Realm system. To begin, parishioners share their information with parish staff by (1) calling or visiting the parish office, (2) printing and mailing or emailing a registration packet (available in the church narthex), or (3) contacting the parish office directly. Once registered, parishioners receive access to an online profile for updates, ministry sign-ups, donations, and event information.
- Online registration via Realm
- Paper packets available in the church narthex
- Phone: 785-273-0710
- Email: [email protected]
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach Christ the King by phone, email, mail, or in person. The parish publishes a weekly FlockNote email and text update sent on Mondays at noon.
- Church Office: (785) 273-0710
- Parish Office Email: [email protected]
- Mailing Address: 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka, KS 66614
- School: (785) 272-2220 | Early Education Center: (785) 272-2999
- FlockNote weekly update: Mondays at noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John B. Yadrich1977 (founding pastor)
First pastor appointed by Archbishop Ignatius Strecker at the parish's founding on November 1, 1977; the parish hall is named Yadrich Hall in his honor.