Cathedral of Christ the King (Atlanta)

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 Way and Peachtree Way, 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.

Cathedral of Christ the King
Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta
Location in Georgia
Location in United States
33°49′41.09″N 84°23′13.023″W
Location2699 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia
CountryUnited States
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
Websitewww.cathedralctk.com
History
Founded1936
Consecrated1939
Architecture
Architect(s)Henry D. Dagit, Jr.
StyleFrench Neo-Gothic
Groundbreaking1937
Completed1939
Specifications
Capacity700
MaterialsLimestone
Administration
ArchdioceseAtlanta
Clergy
ArchbishopMost Rev. Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv
RectorMsgr. Francis G. McNamee

History

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 E. 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]

See also

References
  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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