1960s
In 1960, the Lutheran Church in America Missions Board committed to developing a presence near the Research Triangle Park in rapidly growing Cary, NC (Pop.: 3,600). Rev. Henry R. Sink was selected as Mission Developer. In 1962, the mission acquired a 5.3 acre farm on Walnut Street and a separate parsonage for the development of a future church. Following a house-to-house survey, Rev. Sink and forty-two people met in December 1963 to select Christ the King as the mission’s name.
Mission Development
1960-1963
First Worship Service Held
at Cary High School
1964
On January 5, 1964, at the mission’s first service, forty-seven people turned the Cary High School cafeteria into a worship space by carrying in an altar, candlesticks, and hymn books. Sunday School classes began the following week. During the year, a vibrant Luther League (e.g. youth group) began and put up the first Chrismon tree on the church property. The Lutheran men cleaned the church lot for an Easter sunrise service followed by breakfast. The Lutheran Church Women held monthly home meetings. In August 1964, an evening week-long Vacation Bible School averaged fifty-seven attendees. The following Sunday two adults and eight children were baptized.
Christ the King Lutheran Church formed with:
62 confirmed members
and 41 children
CTK Officially Chartered
12/13/1964
Rev. Henry Sink Officially Called as First Pastor
1965
Officially Recognized as a Congregation by Lutheran Church in America
1966
First Building Constructed
at 600 Walnut St.
1967
Christian Community in Action Established
(Today: Dorcas Ministries)
1968
In June 1968, Christ The King joined with other small area churches of different races and denominations to establish Christian Community in Action, CCA. From 1968-1975 CCA operated a free kindergarten until kindergarten became part of public schools. CTK members shared in driving children round trip to teaching spaces, preparing meals, and providing teaching resources. CCA brought a Public Health Clinic to Cary and offered Literacy classes. CCA was known for offering gently used children clothing in large bags sold for 10 cents each. Outgrowing a church closet, a first rented thrift shop named for Dorcas (Acts 9:36) grew resulting in a series of larger rented thrift shops. CCA then owned and outgrew a brick and mortar location and now owns a mall that extends the Dorcas Thrift store and gives room for essential community services including a large Food Pantry. CTK members have volunteered in the Dorcas Thrift Store and donated goods since bagging items for the church closet and continued volunteering and giving at each growing shop to today’s location. In 2008, CCA renamed itself Dorcas Ministries.
The Rev. Dr. John Nagle, Pastor Emeritus, was newly ordained when he began his pastoral work on July 1, 1969 at Christ the King. Pastor Nagle led the congregation through decades of growth and change before retiring on Easter Sunday 2005.
Rev. John Nagle Called as Pastor
1969
1970s
CTK Preschool Opens
with 8 Students
1970
CTK's Preschool began as Christ the King Kindergarten in September 1970 with an initial enrollment of 8 children. (1976-1977 cohort pictured above). Since then, thousands of children have helped bring a joyful noise to the preschool hallway! From one room in the building to classes both upstairs and downstairs, the preschool has continued to grow and change over the years while holding our core belief that all children deserve a loving place to learn and grow.
CTK Congregation Starts Refugee Sponsorship
1975
Following the fall of Saigon, Christ the King, in partnership with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, welcomed two refugees; Coung, a teenage boy, and Muc, a man in his late twenties. CTK members prepared and furnished an apartment, provided transportation, assist with overcoming language barriers, and helped provide navigation through American culture and society. The resettlement and support of refugees continues to be an important part of CTK’s
outreach ministry.
In the early 1970s, the young CTK congregation was already outgrowing the capacity of the original sanctuary. Plans were quickly drawn up to expand the church. In 1976, a new sanctuary with room for 350 worshipers was dedicated along with a second building connecting the new sanctuary with the original sanctuary. This connector building housed church offices, a preschool area, a multipurpose room, and a parlor. The original sanctuary was rededicated as Luther Chapel.
CTK Expands with New Sanctuary, Additional Buildings
1976
Scott Obert Serves as
First Intern at CTK
1977
Seminary interns assisted the pastor in congregation life and work starting with Scott Obert in 1977-1978. He was followed the next year by Keith McDaniel, then Beverly Alexander. She was followed by the late Rob Martz. Danielle Kosanovich was a part time Vicar 2005-2007. Karin O’Donnell was Vicar in 2019. Justin Mauney was an intern 2019-2020 followed by Rachel Geddes from 2022-2024.
Contemporary Worship Begins with Addition of Chicago Folk Services
1977
First Youth Beach Retreat
1978
First Intern Joins CTK
1977
1980s
In early 1980, Christ the King joined with other Wake County Lutheran churches to found Pan Lutheran Ministries (PLM). Its mission was to provide housing and support for those in need. The first program established was Samaritan Inn, a complex of apartments near Wake Medical Center used by
low-income, out-of-town families who had a critically ill family member in the hospital. Services provided by PLM quickly expanded to include emergency housing and helping homeless families transition to stable housing. PLM's work continues to this day through Families Together.
Pan Lutheran Ministries Begins with CTK Support
1980
Affiliation with Agape Kure Beach Ministries Begins
1983
Eileen McClain Called
as First Associate in Ministry
1986
Recognizing the growing needs of a growing congregation, Eileen McClain was hired as the first staff member at CTK. Beginning as a Parish Worker, Eileen was responsible for Christian Education and Youth Ministry. Later her focus was Stephen Ministry, small groups, and adult education. She retired in 2003.
The Reverend Thomas E. Nelson was hired in 1988 as a part-time assistant pastor whose primary role was visiting the homebound and hospitalized church members. He became an active participant in the musicals performed at CTK as well as lending his voice to the chancel choir and as a
vocalist at the ABC service. Pastor Thom also served as our unofficial videographer. He could often be seen, camera in hand, recording worship services, cantatas and other notable events occurring at CTK.
Rev. Thom Nelson Called as First Part-Time Pastor
1988
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Formed
1988
The 1988 Youth Gathering was the first major event held after the formation of the ELCA. Held every three years, CTK youth groups have continued traveling to ELCA Gatherings including those held in Atlanta, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Dallas. Most recently, twenty three youth and leaders participated in the 2024 Gathering in New Orleans.
CTK Youth Attend First
ELCA National Gathering
in San Antonio
1988
Contemporary Worship Begins with Addition of Chicago-Style Services
1974
1990s
Terry Dorsey Called
as Full-Time Associate Pastor
1990
Recently ordained Pastor Dorsey was called as CTK growth continued. In 1991 Pastor Dorsey led a group of on a mission trip to the Lutheran Center in Mexico City. He was instrumental in organizing the contemporary Affirm, Become and Celebrate service. In 1995 he resigned to become the Circle of Grace mission developer.
Church Quilters Begin
1992
Christ the King Quilters goal is to send as many quilts possible to Lutheran World Relief. Having made over 3,100 quilts since 1992, some of the quilts go to Lutheran Families Services refugee families, graduates of the Families Together and Carying Place programs, families receiving disaster relief, and members to take on CTK national and international mission trips.
Stephen Ministry Begins
1993
Researching how to provide care for members experiencing a life transition beyond what pastors provided, a Stephen Ministry program was approved. Three people took a two-week Leadership training program to prepare bringing the program to CTK. In 1994, thirteen CTK members after individually spending over 75 hours training to provide confidential, one-on-one Christ-centered care were commissioned. Additional classes of trained Stephen Ministry members and leaders continue providing care for people needing someone to walk with them on their personal journey.
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Affirm, Become, Celebrate (ABC) Services Begin
1993
CTK began to offer ‘Affirm, Become, Celebrate’ (ABC), a contemporary, non-liturgical worship service in January 1993. It was held each Sunday at 11:00 am in the Luther Chapel. The new service style was intended to appeal to new congregants coming from a less formal tradition or those with no past denominational affiliation. Instrumentalists and vocalists used contemporary Christian music, including original compositions, in this rousing, upbeat service.
The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Ray was first called to CTK as Associate Pastor in 1995, and called again as Senior Pastor in 2005. He retired in 2015.
Rev. Kenneth Ray Called as Full-Time Associate Pastor
1995
Columbarium Built
1998
Contemporary Worship Begins with Addition of Chicago-Style Services
1974
2000s
Jay Thompson Hired
as First Youth Director
2000
With 2 youth choirs, annual beach retreats with 50+ high schoolers, and a dedicated group of part-time advisors, the need for a full-time use Director was a clear necessity. Calling Jay Thompson was a natural choice, with his church background and music ability and a personality much loved.
Nagle Hall Built
2001
As the congregation continued to grow, by 2000 it became clear the church needed more space for large group fellowship and faith formation classes. Additionally, there was increased interest in contemporary worship services. The congregation undertook a major initiative to build a modern, light-filled addition, including our atrium, and a multi-purpose space that could be used for contemporary worship services. This space was eventually named Nagle Hall. Four new classrooms were also added for both preschool and youth/adults.
Circle of Grace Lutheran Church Merges Into CTK
2004
Founded in 1995 with CTK as a mission partner, Circle of Grace began with the missions first called pastor, Terry Dorsey (previously CTK's Associate Pastor). Some CTK members transferred to Circle of Grace. Many members supported the mission by reaching out to people telling them about the new church. In 2004 Circle of Grace and CTK voted to merge. A fifth service, Quest, met in Luther Café led by the COG band. The church brought people, financial assets, and a large tract of land to CTK.
Pastor John Nagle Retires;
Pastor Kenneth Ray Called as Senior Pastor
2005
CTK Adopts Current Logo, Vision Statement
2006-2008
In 2006, the church logo was redesigned by church member Barb Petty, a purple and gold cross and crown. In 2007-2008, the church mission statement “Learning, Living and Telling the Story of God’s Grace” was adopted by the congregation and was rolled out with a new five-ministry board governance model.
Danielle Kosanovich Called as Diaconal Minister
2008
Danielle arrived as part-time Vicar in 2005 while a student at Duke Divinity School. She became a staff member in 2008 as a Diaconal Minister and developed program curricula and started a young adult ministry. In 2008 she led a mission trip to Chile followed by a second Chile mission trip in 2010. She was instrumental in establishing the CareConnect program.
2010s
CareConnect Launched to Support CTK Members
2011
CareConnect has been assisting members in times of need since early 2011. CareConnect is a coordinated set of support services and ministries back by a CTK-developed software platform. Care volunteers contact the church members to determine their needs. Requests like meals, rides, greeting cards, prayers and visits go to care teams to provide the services. Pastors can track the status and provide comments. CareConnect has evolved as new services are added.
Preschool Playground Constructed
2012
Rev. Wolfgang Herz-Lane Called as Senior Pastor
2016
Pastor Wolfgang Hertz-Lane was called to CTK after serving as Bishop in the Delaware-Maryland Synod. In 2024 Pastor Wolfgang retired from CTK. He was called as a part-time pastor at Lord of Life, Garner.
Pastor Daniel Pugh Jr. Called as Associate Pastor
2017
CTK Becomes a Reconciling in Christ Congregation
2018
Reconciling in Christ (RIC) is a program that Lutheran Churches partner in to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion, especially toward the LGBTQIA+ community. RIC churches must have an inclusive wlecome statement, be open to calling LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC clergy, allow LGBTQIA+ weddings, and support the national RIC program lead by the non-profit ReconcilingWorks. CTK has proudly been a RIC partner church since 2018.
Contemporary Worship Begins with Addition of Chicago-Style Services
1974
2020s
Rev. Athena Thomasson-Bless Called as Associate Pastor
2020
CTK Begins First Online Worship Services
2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CTK shut down all in-person worship and activities beginning Monday, March 9, 2020. A technology team comprised of staff and volunteers worked together to launch streaming worship services the following Sunday, March 15. As the pandemic ended, CTK resolved to continue this digital ministry as a way to expand the ways we are "learning, living, and telling the story of God's Grace." Today, about half of CTK worshipers participate online each Sunday.
OneWake Launched;
CTK Joins As a Founding Member
2020
Rev. Daniel Pugh Jr. Called as Senior Pastor
2024
Partnership with
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
(Garner, NC)
2024
