Our History
"We, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another." Romans 12:5
Since 1938, Christ the King Parish has brought people together in faith, worship, and service. Our story is one of generations sharing their gifts to build a welcoming Catholic community. As we reflect on our past, we give thanks for those who came before us and look forward with hope to the future we are building together.
Our History
Founded in 1938, Christ the King Parish was established to serve the growing Catholic community of southwest Minneapolis.
Fr. William P. Driscoll was appointed as the parish's first pastor, and before a church building existed, parishioners gathered for Mass at nearby Fulton School. Ground was broken for the church and school in September 1938, and less than a year later, on June 4, 1939, the first Mass was celebrated in the new church.
Over the decades, Christ the King has welcomed generations of parishioners from Minneapolis and communities throughout the southwest metro. In 1991, the church was renovated and expanded with the addition of the Gathering Space, continuing the parish's tradition of worship, hospitality, and community life.
Key Moments
May 1938
✦ Christ the King Parish is established. Fr. William P. Driscoll is appointed as the parish's first pastor.
June 5, 1938
✦ The first parish Masses are celebrated at Fulton School.
September 12, 1938
✦ Groundbreaking for the auditorium and school.
June 4, 1939
✦ First Mass celebrated in the new church building.
July 23, 1939
✦ The church cornerstone is laid, and the building is dedicated by Archbishop John Gregory Murray.
1940
✦ The two-story brick school building was completed.
The current church was constructed in spring of 1957.
April 21, 1958
Archbishop Brady blessed the main altar, the Blessed Virgin's altar, and celebrated the first Mass.
November 21, 1991
✦ The renovated church and new Gathering Space are dedicated by Archbishop John R. Roach on the Feast of Christ the King.
1992
Christ the King and St. Thomas the Apostle schools were merged into one program. Grades K-2 at the lower campus, located at St. Thomas the Apostle, and Grades 3-8 at the upper campus here at Christ the King.
2003
The name of Christ the King-St. Thomas the Apostle School was changed to Carondelet Catholic School in honor the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), the religious order that first sent sisters to teach at both schools.
July 1, 2023
✦
Christ the King joins neighboring St. Thomas the Apostle into a collaborative parish cluster, sharing resources and ministry to serve the broader Catholic community of southwest Minneapolis.
Today
Christ the King is a parish with a rich history and a hopeful future.
Rooted in more than eight decades of faith, we continue to grow as a community of prayer, worship, service, and fellowship. Parishioners come from across southwest Minneapolis and the surrounding metro area, bringing their gifts, experiences, and commitment to building a vibrant Catholic community.
As we look ahead, we remain grateful for the generations who built this parish and excited for the opportunities before us as we renew parish life and welcome new people into our community.
