Christ the King Parish was born in 1947 when Bishop Eugene McGuinness saw the need for a new parish in the northwest area of Oklahoma City. The new pastor was the dynamic and personable Rev. Charles Buswell, then an assistant pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. Vacant land at Elmhurst Avenue and Dorset Drive was purchased for $15,000. On Passion Sunday of 1949 Bishop McGuinness broke ground for the building of four classrooms and a multipurpose room, which could serve as a temporary chapel. The campaign for financing was called "Building Generations." Christ the King began with 125 families.

The parish school was a high priority. The final church building was postponed in favor of classroom construction. The urgency and importance of education was so great that the school began in 1949 in a rented four room framed cottage. The Benedictine Sisters were the teachers, and by 1954-55 the school encompassed all eight grades and enrollment had grown to 362.

Since its beginnings the church has occupied three locations. The first was the site of the current parish offices, and the second location was the present school cafeteria. After 15 years of work, planning and sacrifice the parish finally had a permanent church, which was dedicated on September 16, 1962. Fr. John Walch designed the stations of the cross, the canopy over the altar and the baptismal font. The bell tower contains three bells imported from Amsterdam, Holland. The bells were named in honor of the first three bishops of the diocese: Victor (Reed), Eugene (McGuinness) and Francis (Kelly). In 1982 the new Family Center was added.

From the beginning music was seen as an important part of the liturgy, and Fr. Halpine started a small men??hoir with the help of volunteers. A full-time professional church musician was hired in 1962, and women were then allowed to join the choir. Throughout the years the choir has performed many notable works such as Amahl and the Night Visitors and Mozart's Requiem Mass, among others. In 1986 a women's bell choir was established. In 1993 the choir toured Italy singing in St. Peter's Basilica.

After Vatican Council II lay people were called upon to take a more active role in caring for the needy. The first Social Ministries Board worked with Neighbor for Neighbor. In 1972 poor boxes were installed at the doors to support foreign missions in Guatemala and Peru. In 1989 the parish began serving meals for the homeless. Christ the King parish has a long history of working with the many charitable organizations in our community. In every area the parish has grown and developed ? from the school and the youth ministries to the Share and Care Club and other programs for senior adults ? from the preschool religious education program to adult bible study and the RCIA program. Through the support of its parishioners and various boards and committees, Christ the King continues to expand the ministries it offers to its members and the community.

Throughout the decades many have generously contributed their time, energy and money to build and sustain the parish, but no one has contributed more of the spirit of God to our parish than the wonderful Pastors and Associate Pastors.

The Pastors
Rev. Charles Busewll, Rev. Msgr. James Halpine, Rev. Charles Conley, Rev. Ernest A. Flusche, Rev. Clement E. Pribil, Rev. Gerald Mayfield,
Rev. Joseph Ross(current)

Associate Pastors
Rev. Msgr. James F. Halpine, Rev. Charles J. Johnson, Rev. David L. Jones, Rev. Robert J. O'Brien, Rev. Lawrence Courtright, Rev. Joseph LaBarge, Rev. Francis D. Colavechio, Rev. A. G. MacAulay, Rev. John A. Petuskey, Rev. Thomas Dowdell, Rev. Gary C. Aultz, Rev. James J. Mickus, Rev. Philip Creider, Rev. Thomas L.P. O'Toole, Rev. Mark Mason, Rev. John R. Metzinger, Rev. Jospeh Vas, Rev. Victor J. Van De Walle, Rev. Joseph R. Ross, Rev. Duanne D. Mallon, Rev. David A. Cowden, Rev. John D. Carl, Rev. James A. Goin, Rev. James Kastner, Rev. Balasamy, Rev. Francis Nguyen.