Christ the King Church

Was it faith, or perhaps a touch of defiance, that led those five families to petition for a church in 1927? Right here, where Christ the King Catholic Church stands today, a catechism center had been established. But it wasn’t enough. These families, led by Jose Patino, wanted more. They wanted a church to call their own, a beacon of their faith in a neighborhood where another church was actively trying to sway their community. Archbishop Desserts heard their plea and assigned the Claretian Missionaries to staff the new church. Named San Geronimo, the church wasn’t simply built by hired hands. It was built by the hands of the parishioners themselves, a testament to their devotion. Decades later, in 1954, Christ the King Catholic Church marked another milestone with the dedication of its own parochial elementary school. Archbishop Lucey led the dedication, a celebration of growth and the future of the parish. The Cordi-Marian Sisters, dedicated educators, first held classes in their convent on Morales Street. Then, as the school grew, they transitioned to the parish hall. In the following years, the need for more space became clear. Father Augustin Cubillo, CMF spearheaded the addition of more classrooms, a library, and a cafeteria in 1967. Bishop Steven F. Leven dedicated this expansion, solidifying Christ the King’s role as a center for education and community. The Claretian Missionaries, after half a century of service, concluded their tenure in 1969. The archdiocesan clergy took over. Father Larry J. Matula took the helm as Pastor. A time of change and modernization was ushered in. In 1972, following the Vatican II’s call for modernization, Christ the King Church underwent a significant redesign. The remodeled church was blessed by Archbishop Francis J. Furey in 1973. This wasn’t merely a renovation of the building, but a reflection of the evolving Church. Even after decades, the spirit of community and devotion remains strong at Christ the King Catholic Church. The echoes of those first five families can still be felt. Their legacy lives on in the very stones of this building and the hearts of its community.