Christ Our King and Savior, Greensboro

Established:	June 20, 1996
Address:	6341 Lake Oconee Parkway Greensboro, Georgia 30642
Phone:	706-453-7292, 706-485-0102
Fax:	706-453-7095
Web site:	www.cokas.org
City:	Greensboro
County:	Greene
Deanery:	Southeast

The image of Christ as our King and Savior is depicted in a stained glass window high above the church's sanctuary. The window is 11 feet in diameter. Photo by Michael Alexander, The Georgia Bulletin

Parish History

The parish of Christ Our King and Savior is a consolidation of Christ Our King Mission of Greensboro, Georgia and Christ Our Savior Mission of Eatonton, Georgia, according to the Decree of Establishment issued on February 22, 1996.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Catholic population in Greene and Putnam counties was approaching 100 and growing. They were attending mass in Madison, Milledgeville, and Athens. In early 1992, the Glenmary order of priests responded to requests regarding setting up a Catholic mission in the area. Brother Dennis Craig visited and confirmed the need and the first pastor, Father Chet Artysiewicz, arrived in August 1992. Father Chet and Brother Craig were assigned the responsibility of forming Catholic communities in Greene, Putnam, and Hancock counties.

The first mass in the Greensboro community, “Christ Our King,” was celebrated at George and Mildred Stiffler’s home in October 1992. The first public mass was held on November 1, 1992, at the Church of the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Greensboro, Georgia with approximately 90 people in attendance. The first mass celebrated in Eatonton, “Christ Our Savior,” was held at the Eatonton Presbyterian Church on January 3, 1993, with 71 people in attendance.

In 1993 Brother Curt Kedley was assigned to establish a mission in Hancock County. Hancock County, with no industry and nearly 500 miles of dirt roads, is one of the poorest counties in Georgia. Brother Curt along with a Baptist minister formed the area’s first ministerial association, “Clergy United.” Their first successful project was establishing a chaplain service at a local hospital. Brother Curt and fellow volunteers also created ‘Helping Hands,” a crisis relief center patterned after the Salvation Army. Brother Curt worked in Hancock County until 2003.

To encourage Hispanic involvement, one reading at each mass was read in Spanish. The first Spanish mass was celebrated in Greensboro on March 22, 1993 with about 45 Hispanics and 15 Anglos in attendance. Starting on November 6, 1994 a weekly Spanish Mass was offered at the Harmony Fire Fighters Hall.

A cast bronze statue of the "Welcoming Jesus" is located on a circular island in front of the new Christ our King and Savior Church, Greensboro. The six-foot tall statue, weighing 600 pounds, was cast by the Demetz Art Studio, Italy. Photo by Michael Alexander, The Georgia Bulletin

Archbishop John F. Donoghue officially recognized the Mission of Christ Our King as a parish effective on June 20, 1996. Christ Our King parish was to serve the Catholic population of Greene County. Christ Our Savior was to remain a mission serving Putnam County.

In September 1996, Father Chet was transferred to Washington, D.C. and Brother Dennis to Hartford, Kentucky, and Father Serge Ward was appointed new pastor. Father Ward’s first duty was to create one parish from the two communities. Thus the parish Christ Our King and Savior was born. On March 30, 1997, an Easter sunrise service was held in the parking lot of the new building. In July 1997, Father Ward set the steeple on the church and the new church was blessed on October 7, 1997 by Archbishop Donoghue.

In December 1999, Father Ward was transferred to Gainesville, Georgia and Father Bill Williams was appointed pastor. Father Williams served as pastor until October 2001 when he was transferred to St. John Neumann in Lilburn, GA. Father Patrick Kingery replaced Father Williams as pastor. In June 2003, Father Kingery was transferred to Holy Cross Church in Tucker and Father Fernando Molina Restrepo was installed as pastor on August 30, 2003.

In March 2000, the first Planning Committee meeting was held and after studying the demographics and growth of the Lake Oconee area, it was quickly determined that the present church facility would not be adequate with the growth and needs of the Catholic community. In February 2001, approval was given by the Archdiocese of Atlanta to begin planning for a new church. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 21, 2003 with Archbishop Donoghue presiding.

In October of 2004, the first mass was celebrated in the new sanctuary. It was attended by approximately 600 parishioners. In April 2005, Father Fernando was transferred to Doraville, Georgia and Monsignor Bill Hoffman became the interim pastor until June 2005. Father G. Philip Ryan became pastor June 15, 2005.

Edited September 27, 2010