Fr. Richard Watson – Archives of Cathedral of Christ the King

Fr. Richard Watson

Born: Tompkinsville, KY, January 1, 1961

Family History:

Father: Henry Ray Watson
Mother: Mary Bobbie Dugan Watson
Siblings: Jackie R. Watson
Debbie Elrod
Children: Bethany Watson Prewitt

Education:

Gamaliel Elementary School: 1967-1975

Gamaliel, KY

Gamaliel High School: 1975-1979

Gamaliel, KY

Western Kentucky University: 1979-1981

University of Kentucky: 1981-1984

Sacred Heart School of Theology: 2008-2011

Degrees: Bachelor of Health Science UK – Aug. 1984

Master of Divinity – May 2011

Ordination:

Transitional Deacon- Date: June 5, 1999
Place: Cathedral of Christ the King Lexington, Kentucky
By: Bishop J. Kendrick Williams
Priesthood – Date: May 21, 2011
Place: Cathedral of Christ the King Lexington, Kentucky
By: Bishop Ronald W. Gainer
First Solemn Mass: -May 22, 2011 (8:45 a.m. Mass)
Cathedral of Christ the King
Lexington, Kentucky
Ministry Assignments:- July 5, 2011 –
Parochial Vicar
Cathedral of Christ the King
Lexington, Kentucky

Christ the King Parish began as a small congregation of 35 who celebrated the first Mass at St. Catherine’s Academy on North Limestone Street in 1945. In 1947 that congregation relocated to a prefabricated building on the current grounds between Providence and Colony roads. In 1951 Christ the King School opened its doors to students. By 1967 the parish had grown to about 800 families and the school had 625 students enrolled. This was also the year that the new church and rectory were dedicated. In 1988, as directed by Pope John Paul II, the Diocese of Lexington was formed and Christ the King became the Cathedral for the 50 counties in the diocese.