Christ the King Catholic Parish stands on 11 acres along Stevens Drive in Richland, Washington, serving more than 2,800 registered families in the Tri-Cities. Its roots reach back to the Second World War, when workers building the Hanford nuclear facilities first gathered for Mass in a small army tent, then in a circus tent large enough for 1,500 people. Today the parish runs a preschool-through-eighth-grade school with nearly 400 students, hosts one of the largest community gatherings in the region each fall at Sausage Fest, and offers Mass in both English and Spanish every Sunday.
A Parish Born of the Hanford Project
In 1943, the federal government took possession of Richland, Hanford, and White Bluffs to build the facilities that would produce plutonium for the war effort. The Catholics among the construction workers were served by Father William J. Sweeney, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Kennewick, who drove in each Sunday with a security badge to celebrate Mass at the Lady of the Rosary church in White Bluffs. By July 1943, attendance had grown enough that services moved to a small white army tent at the Hanford workers' camp; by October Sweeney had secured a 1,500-seat circus tent that served as a theater by week and a church on Sundays.
Father Bernard Schiller joined Sweeney as assistant in May 1944, and at the peak of construction more than 50,000 workers were housed at Hanford. A frame church was finished in Richland in time for Christmas 1944, blessed by Bishop Charles White on February 11, 1945, and dedicated under the title of Christ the King. The parish separated from St. Joseph's on July 1, 1946, with Sweeney as its first pastor. In 1951, Christ the King became part of the newly created Diocese of Yakima, and the parish bought its land and buildings from the government in 1954.
Through the 1970s and 1980s the parish expanded in step with the Tri-Cities. An elementary school and convent opened in 1954. The first Sausage Fest was held in the fall of 1977 as a joint project of the school and parishioners, and it has since drawn 25,000 to 30,000 guests each year, making it the third-largest community event in the Tri-Cities. Pope Paul VI elevated Father Sweeney to Monsignor in 1976; he retired in 1978 and served as Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1996 after 36 years as pastor. The original church was replaced by the current round church building, with the first Mass celebrated there on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1981. Father Richard Wuertz led the parish from 1983 until 1997 and was followed by Father Thomas Champoux, who was elevated to Monsignor by Pope Francis on May 20, 2017, the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Monsignor Champoux now serves as Pastor Emeritus of the parish.
A 1999 capital campaign funded new parking, additional classrooms, and a large Gathering Space adjoining the church, completed in 2006. Five new permanent deacons were ordained for Christ the King by Bishop Carlos Sevilla on September 25, 2010, briefly bringing the parish's diaconate to eight. The parish now counts 74 organized ministries spanning charity, education, visitation, liturgy, and spirituality, and is embarking on a preschool construction project.
Mass and the Sacraments in Two Languages
Daily Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., with an additional 5:30 p.m. Mass added during Lent. Saturday brings an 8:00 a.m. daily Mass and the Sunday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. during daylight saving time, with the vigil moving to 4:00 p.m. during standard time. Sunday Masses are at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in English, with a 1:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish. The 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass and the Saturday Vigil are livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel.
Reconciliation is heard on Saturdays beginning at 3:30 p.m. during daylight saving time and 2:30 p.m. during standard time, as well as on Thursdays between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., and by appointment. Eucharistic Adoration is held on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. until noon, closing with Benediction, and again from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., when priests are also available for confession. Anointing of the Sick can be arranged by calling the parish office, and an anointing Mass is celebrated twice a year.
Christ the King Catholic School
The parish school, Christ the King Catholic School, serves students from preschool through eighth grade and is home to nearly 400 children. Daily prayer, weekly school Masses, Advent ceremonies, and special Lenten liturgies shape the rhythm of the week. The school is known for its high academic standards, frequently winning District Science Fair awards, and its graduates have included National Merit Scholars and student body presidents at both Richland and Hanford High Schools. Before- and after-school care is available. The school office can be reached at 509-946-6158.
Faith Formation from Three Years Old Through High School
The parish offers age-by-age faith formation that begins with Early Childhood Religious Education (ECRE) for children age 3 through first grade, meeting during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass in the school. Elementary Religious Education gathers children in grades 2 through 5 on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the school, using the Spirit of Truth curriculum. Students in 2nd and 3rd grade prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion, with First Communion typically celebrated in April or May. A Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) program serves students in grades 4 through 8 who have missed a sacrament of initiation; a parent or guardian attends Wednesday classes with the student.
Middle school youth meet Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Gathering Space for faith formation, and on Sunday evenings for "Pericope & Pancakes," a Bible study using Lectio Divina followed by a pancake supper in the Kramer House. "Flock Nights" gather middle schoolers from the parish and the school three times a year for an evening of fun and faith led by high school students. High school youth group meets Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Space, using the Life Teen curriculum. The high school program is intentionally directed toward vocational discernment, exploring how friendship with Jesus is lived out in marriage, priesthood, and religious life, with visiting speakers throughout the year. For teens who have not yet received Confirmation or another sacrament of initiation, preparation is woven into the youth group.
Each summer, Vacation Bible School runs for a week in June, with mornings of songs, games, and Bible stories open to children of the parish and beyond. Adult volunteers are welcomed.
Sacramental Preparation
Parents baptizing a child at Christ the King must be registered parishioners for at least four months. At least one godparent must complete the parish baptism class, held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Bride's Room next to the Gathering Space. Baptisms are celebrated communally on a Saturday once a month, and a $40 honorarium is suggested.
Confirmation preparation is a two-year process beginning in 7th grade, with Confirmation in 8th grade, and includes diocesan requirements for classes, faith formation, a retreat during the second year, and service projects. Couples wishing to marry at the parish should contact a priest or deacon at least four to six months before the wedding to begin paperwork and preparation. Adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another tradition, or returning to the Church after an absence are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and the Coming Home program. Men discerning priesthood or the permanent diaconate can speak with Father Lalo Chavez or reach the Diocese of Yakima's vocations office.
Music and the Liturgical Life of the Parish
Music Director Cathy Exarhos leads the parish's music ministry, and the celebration of Mass relies on a wide circle of lay ministers. Altar servers must be in at least fourth grade and have received Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Eucharist; training is offered throughout the year with schedules built around school sports and family vacations. Lectors proclaim the Scripture readings at Mass, with both adults and high school students invited to serve. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, ushers and greeters, sacristans, masters of ceremonies, and members of the Liturgy Environment team (flowers and seasonal decoration) all support the Sunday and weekday liturgies. The parish also prays the Liturgy of the Hours as a community, with the priests and deacons available to help newcomers learn the rhythms of the Divine Office.
Pastoral Care and Visitation
The Visitation Ministry reaches parishioners who cannot attend Mass because of illness, injury, or age. Volunteers bring Holy Communion to the homebound, offer fellowship, and provide grief support where needed. Visits are made to residents at Brookdale Meadow Springs, Brookdale Richland, Brookdale on Torbett, Guardian Angel, Prestige/Richland Rehab, Richland Life Care Center, and Bonaventure, and to patients at Kadlec Hospital on request. To arrange a visit, parishioners may call the parish office at 509-946-1675 during business hours, the emergency line at 509-539-9972 after hours, or email visitation@ckparish.org.
Charitable Outreach
The parish supports a network of local and regional ministries. The Angels of Mercy Fund offers assistance with medical and other urgent needs. Catholic Charities of Central Washington, the Central Washington Catholic Foundation, and Elijah Family Homes extend the parish's reach into the wider community. The Knights of Columbus run the KC Help equipment-loan program, and the parish partners with St. Vincent de Paul, the Tri-Cities Food Bank, the Volunteer Chore Services program, and PREPARES, which supports families during pregnancy and early parenthood. Giving is available online through the parish's OSV Hub account, and the Annual Catholic Appeal supports the wider work of the Diocese of Yakima.
Adult Formation and Spiritual Life
Adults at Christ the King can continue growing in the faith through Bible studies that meet at various times during the week and throughout the year, a Benedictine Spirituality group, the Lay Carmelites, the parish library, and the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life. The Coming Home program offers a gentle path back to the Church for those who have been away. A range of parish organizations meets regularly, including the Knights of Columbus, the Young Ladies Institute, the Serra Club, Couples for Christ, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille, and Scouts. The parish gift shop carries religious items and books.
Safe Environment and Parish Stewardship
All staff and volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults must pass a background check, complete safe environment training through VirtusOnline, and adhere to diocesan policies on abuse prevention. Students in the religious education programs and the school receive age-appropriate personal safety presentations. The Diocese of Yakima maintains a sexual abuse reporting hotline at 888-276-4490. Parishioners can register online, request prayers through the parish prayer chain, follow announcements on Facebook and YouTube, and contribute to the parish through online giving or by signing up for stewardship.