Christ the King Parish is the youngest Catholic Parish in the Illinois Quad Cities. In 1965, the Diocese of Peoria purchased a 9-1/2 acre site on JF Kennedy drive between Moline's 28th and 32nd Avenues. On September 7, 1967, the most Reverend John B. Franz, D.D., Bishop of Peoria, issued a decree establishing Christ the King parish, and on October 1, 1967, Reverend Sylvester E. Jesiolowski was appointed its first pastor. Our parish began with approximately 450 families who attended Sunday Mass at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School.

Under the leadership of Father Jesiolowski, things began to move very rapidly. Trustees were appointed, a new parish board was formed, and an architectural firm was employed to develop a new plan. In February of 1968, the board approved plans for a new liturgical center and, on May 12, 1968, ground was broken for the center. Mass was offered in the newly constructed parish liturgical center for the first time on February 16, 1969.

On October 7, 1969, ground was broken for the rectory which was completed in May 1970. With a new worship center, educational facility, and rectory completed, our new parish began planning for future goals and growth.

Father Jesiolowski was reassigned to St. Anthony's parish in Spring Valley in 1979 and Father Dick Bresnehan was named pastor.

Because of our continued growth and increased demand for offices and meeting space, the rectory was converted to a parish center in January 1988. It was also becoming evident that we would soon be in need of additional worship space as well.

In June of 1991, the worship area was moved to the parish hall and in August, ground was broken for the new worship space. The long awaited transition mass took place November 1, 1992, on the Feast of All Saints with a procession from our temporary worship area in the parish hall into the new and permanent worship center. Three weeks later, on the Feast of Christ the King, the Most Reverend John Meyers, Bishop of Peoria, celebrated the opening and dedication of the new worship center.

Fr. Richard Barcliff was assigned as pastor in 1994. On June 10, 1998, he was reassigned to St. Patrick's in Andalusia.

Fr. Donald Levitt was appointed pastor on June 10th of 1998, he was reassigned from St. Mary's parish in East Moline. Fr. Don is one of five children. His father, Robert, lives in Princeton, Illinois.

In the fall of 1999, Fr. Duane Jack, Cursillo's Spiritual Director, approached Fr. Don about the parish's plans to expand its facilities. These discussions soon led to the joint effort between Christ the King, Cursillo, and TEC to build a joint community center that would meet all of the growing needs of our faith community.


A feasibility study was conducted, and a capital campaign soon followed and resulted in the formation of "Believers Together Community Center". The project cost $3.5 million. The three organizations openly supported this project and pledges continue to come in and it will be an ongoing effort to pay off the debt of this magnificent structure. All organizations especially Christ the King continue to grow in numbers and strength. If you wish to pledge, contribute or would like to get involved in any of the fundraising events, or any of the many other activities, please call Cathy Burns at 762-4634 ext. 202.

Completion of construction and the building dedication was done in June of 2002 with a blessing from our newly appointed Most Reverend Daniel Jenky, Bishop of Peoria. The building is currently available and in continual use for many activities, please go to our BTC page to learn more about it, or, contact the parish office.

After 35 years, a parish membership of nearly 1,150 and a strong faith commitment of both the parish staff and our parishioners, Christ the King has a very bright presence today and an extremely promising future in the new millennium. All are welcome to the Believers Together in this place. God has truly blessed this Parish!