Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Cathedral of Christ the King
The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, a handsome English Gothic church in the Buckhead neighborhood that has grown alongside the city's Catholic population since 1937.
Christ the King sits on Peachtree Road in Buckhead, a neighborhood better known for shopping than churches. The parish was founded in 1936 and the current building went up the following year in a restrained English Gothic style — red brick with limestone trim, a square tower, and a steeply pitched roof. The interior is clean-lined and well-proportioned, with pointed arches, a hammerbeam ceiling, and stained glass that catches the Georgia light. Atlanta's Catholic community was small when the cathedral was built, but the city exploded after World War II, and the parish grew with it. Today it serves one of the most diverse congregations in the Southeast, with Masses in English, Spanish, and Korean.
Diocese: Archdiocese of Atlanta
Style: English Gothic Revival
What to See
The hammerbeam ceiling is worth looking up for — it gives the nave a warmth that stone vaulting doesn't. The stained glass is solid mid-century American work, and the baptismal font near the entrance is a nice piece. The grounds are well-kept and feel like a quiet island on busy Peachtree Road.
Pilgrim Notes
Daily Mass is available. The cathedral is in Buckhead, easily reached by MARTA or car. Parking is available on-site. The parish is active and welcoming, and visitors will find a busy schedule of liturgies and events.