A Detailed History of Christ the King

Christ the King Catholic Church traces its roots to the early 1980s, when a group of Catholics from the Word of God community in Ann Arbor began gathering regularly for Mass and fellowship under the blessing of Bishop Kenneth Povish. These early celebrations gave rise to what was first called The Catholic Fellowship of the Word of God—a spiritual home for Catholics within the growing Charismatic Renewal movement.

In 1986, the fellowship was recognized by the Diocese of Lansing as a Lay Association of the Faithful and given the name Christ the King Catholic Association. Over the next several years, the community continued to grow in worship, formation, and service, guided by dedicated chaplains and lay leaders.

By 1991, Christ the King became a personal parish of the Diocese of Lansing—meaning its membership would be defined not by geographical boundaries but by shared faith and spirituality. Fr. Frank McGrath was appointed as pastoral administrator, and later succeeded by Fr. Ed Fride, who became our first pastor when Bishop Carl Mengeling granted Christ the King full canonical parish status in 1997.

For many years, our parish family met in rented spaces, until finally, in August 1996, we moved into our permanent home near Domino’s Farms. Our first church was dedicated in June 2001, and a few years later we expanded into the neighboring Spiritus Sanctus Academy building, which now serves as our Parish Center.

Today, Christ the King continues to draw members from across the region who share a love for Jesus and a desire to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Rooted in our charismatic heritage, we remain committed to worship, discipleship, and evangelization—building up the Body of Christ in our parish and beyond.