The majestic stained-glass windows of Christ the King beckon. They whisper stories of faith resilience and community. Christ the King isn’t just a church it’s a living testament to a vibrant history.
Originally conceived in the roaring twenties Christ the King’s story began in Milwaukee. Archbishop Sebastian Messmer envisioned a new parish. He purchased land for this purpose. The Great Depression however delayed the project for nearly a decade. The land sat untouched until 1939.
That year Archbishop Samuel Stritch appointed Reverend Joseph Huepper as the first pastor. Christ the King officially opened its doors on October 14 1939. Its first meeting was held at Mount Mary College a testament to the community’s early enthusiasm. The building fund campaigns were successful. They raised enough to erect a school a boiler house and a permanent rectory. The rectory was completed in 1940. The school opened its doors in September of the same year.
The first mass in Christ the King’s chapel was held in that same September. It was housed on the second floor of the school building. The early years saw rapid growth. By the 1950s multiple masses were held each week to accommodate the congregation’s size.
Christ the King continued to grow and expand. A new church was constructed and dedicated in 1956. This church continues to serve the congregation to this day. The school’s enrollment reached its peak in the 1960s. It educated hundreds of students annually. The church has witnessed numerous changes in leadership over the decades. Each pastor has contributed to its rich history. A new gymnasium was added in 1964.
In recent years the parish added a K3 program and expanded its before and after-school care offerings. It also adopted the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method for its religious education programs. The congregation has gone through both challenges and triumphs. It reflects the evolution of faith within a changing community. More recently Christ the King merged with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Parish.
Today Christ the King stands as a symbol of enduring faith. It’s a place of worship a community center and a lasting legacy built on decades of devotion and growth. This is Christ the King a story etched in stone and stained glass. A story that continues to unfold.