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Cathedral of Christ the King (Atlanta)

Coordinates: 33°49′41.09″N 84°23′13.023″W / 33.8280806°N 84.38695083°W / 33.8280806; -84.38695083
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Cathedral of Christ the King
Catedral de Cristo Rey (Spanish)
Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta
Cathedral of Christ the King (Atlanta) is located in Georgia
Cathedral of Christ the King (Atlanta)
Location in Georgia
Cathedral of Christ the King (Atlanta) is located in the United States
Cathedral of Christ the King (Atlanta)
Location in United States
33°49′41.09″N 84°23′13.023″W / 33.8280806°N 84.38695083°W / 33.8280806; -84.38695083
LocationAtlanta, GA
Address2699 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia
CountryUnited States
Language(s)English (primary), Spanish (select events & masses)
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
Membership~5,700 registered families
Websitewww.cathedralctk.com
History
Former name(s)Co-Cathedral of Christ the King (1939-1956, until Diocese of Savannah and Atlanta split)
Founded1936
Founder(s)First Pastor, Fr. Joseph E. Moylan
Consecrated1939
Past bishop(s)Wilton Daniel Gregory (2004-2019), elevated to Cardinal
Architecture
Architect(s)Henry D. Dagit, Jr.
StyleFrench Neo-Gothic
Years built1937-1939
Groundbreaking1937
Completed1939
Specifications
Capacity700
Number of spires2
MaterialsLimestone
Administration
MetropolisAtlanta
ArchdioceseAtlanta
Clergy
ArchbishopMost Rev. Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv
Auxiliary Bishop(s)Most Rev. John-Nhan Tran

Most Rev. Bernard Edward Shlesinger III

Most Rev. Joel Matthias Konzen
RectorMsgr. Francis G. McNamee
Vicar(s)Rev. Joe Wagner, Rev. Juan Carlos Villota Viteri
Deacon(s)Rev. Mr. Chris Andronaco, Rev. Mr. John McManus, Rev. Mr. Bruce Goodwin, Rev. Mr. Whitney Robicahux
Laity
Director of musicMichael Accurso
Youth ministry coordinatorChildren's: Elaine McCollum, Teens: Kate Curran, Lana Urbina


The Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Georgia (United States) is the mother-church for the one million members of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. The cathedral is located at what is popularly called "Jesus Junction" on Peachtree Road, between East Wesley Road and Peachtree Road, in Atlanta's uptown Buckhead district. At present, the parish is one of the ten largest congregations in the United States, with over 5,500 families. Christ the King School also occupies the property, with an enrollment of approximately 600 students.

History

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The parish of Christ the King was established in 1936. The congregation purchased approximately four acres of land for $35,000 and held early masses in the mansion that occupied the site. To construct the current cathedral, the parish demolished this structure and purchased adjacent land from the Ku Klux Klan which previously served as its headquarters.

Architect Henry D. Dagit, Jr., designed the sanctuary in the Gothic Revival (French Neo-Gothic) style with touches of Art Deco in the interior, especially on the stone reredos. The stained glass windows (restored in 2015-16[1] by Daprato Rigali Studios)[2] were originally works of the Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia. A 1939 issue of Architectural Record called it the "Most Beautiful Building in Atlanta".[3]

On January 5, 1937, when Pope Pius XI proclaimed that the Diocese of Savannah, organized in 1850, would now be known as the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta. Christ the King parish became the Co-Cathedral with the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah.

On July 2, 1956, Pope Pius XII split the Savannah-Atlanta Diocese to create the Diocese of Atlanta. The Co-Cathedral became cathedral of the new diocese, and Francis Edward Hyland became its first bishop.[4]

Construction of the school began in 1936, and it opened October 31, 1937, under the administration of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, with a blessing by Savannah Bishop Gerald O'Hara. In 1940, the school added a high school curriculum which operated until 1958, when students transferred to the newly formed St. Pius X Catholic High School.[5]

Like many churches all over the world, the Cathedral faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. They were forced to cancel many services and masses for a few months, and suspend others for even longer, such as the youth choir ministries, which are still not reinstated.

Mass and service schedule

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Regular Weekly Schedule
Sunday Monday-Tuesday Wednesday Thursday-Friday Saturday
7:30am Mass,

9:00am Mass, 10:30am Mass, 10:30am (children's Mass in parish gym) Noon Mass, 1:30pm Mass (spanish), 4:00pm Mass, 5:30pm Mass

6:45am Mass,

8:10am Mass, 12:10pm Mass (followed by Rosary)

6:45am Mass,

8:10am Mass, 12:10pm Mass (followed by Rosary, Adoration until 3:00pm)

6:45am Mass,

8:10am Mass, 12:10pm Mass (followed by Rosary)

8:10am Mass,

4pm Sunday Vigil Mass

Lenten Services
Ash Wednesday Fridays Holy Week
Regular Wednesday schedule with additional Masses at 5pm, 7pm, and 8:30pm Stations of the Cross after 6:45am Mass and at 7:00pm following a Fish Fry Palm Sunday: Regular Sunday schedule, with long Palm procession preceding 9:00am Mass

Holy Tuesday: Archdiocesan Chrism Mass

Maundy Thursday: Archdiocesan Maundy Thursday Mass at 7:00pm, and Tenebrae at night

Good Friday: Liturgy of the Hours, Passion Service at 3:00pm, Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm

Holy Saturday: Liturgy of the Hours, Eastern European Basket Blessing, Archdiocesan Easter Vigil at 8:00pm

Ministries

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As both the mother church of an Archdiocese and a large-sized parish, the Cathedral offers many regularly-meeting ministries. Those ministries include, but are not limited to:

Children's: Recreation (ie. Parish Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball programs), Altar Serving, and Children's Choirs

Adult Ministries: 20/30 Somethings, Adoration Guardians, Bible Study, Rosary Group, Women's Club, Men's Club, Knights of Columbus, Prayer Chain

Liturgical: Flower Guild, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Wedding Guild

Choirs: Cathedral Choir, School Nova Choir, Cathedral Evening Ensemble Choir, Summer Ensemble, Hispanic Choir, Middle School Boys and Girls Choirs

Outreach: Funeral Ministry, Sandwich/Snack Bag Making Team (MUST Ministries), Baking Team, St. Vincent de Paul Society

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "September 6 – CTK Atlanta". Cathedral of Christ the King. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  2. ^ Butterman, Eric (Spring 2016). "Church restoration a family reunion". Notre Dame Magazine. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  3. ^ Badertscher, Nancy (May 2, 2014). "Mansion move sparked by church growth?". PolitiFact. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  4. ^ "About Us: Our Story". Cathedral of Christ the King. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  5. ^ "History of CKS". Christ the King School. Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
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