Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Christ the King Catholic Church

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

1. Christ the King Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. Founded under the direction of Father John Flaherty, the “little stone church” was dedicated in June 1928.

Destroyed by fire in January 1948, the interior was rebuilt by Father Otto Butterbach and dedicated on the Feast of Christ the King, November 1949.

In 1972, Father Thomas Reynolds lead the construction of a new church to better serve the growing parish.

Having served our church community in various ways since 1972, the “little stone chapel” was restored through the spiritual inspiration of Father Tom Elliott and re-dedicated under the direction of Father Kevin Atunzu in October 2011.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1928.

Location. 35° 21.88′ N, 94° 24.253′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It is at the intersection of South Greenwood Avenue and South S Street, on the right when traveling south on South Greenwood Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley,

in the Cherokee Heritage Region,

and in Osage Territory.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oak Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Harold Adams Office Building (approx.

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0.8 miles away); Immaculate Conception Church in 1906 (approx. 1½ miles away); Texas Corner in 1958 (approx. 1.7 miles away); The New Theatre in 1911 (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Towson Trail (approx. 1.7 miles away); First Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Great Cyclone at Fort Smith (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Also see . . .
1. Christ the King Church (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the chapel, which was listed in 1982. (via Arkansas Heritage) (Submitted on August 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. About Us. A three=part history of the church is at the bottom of the page. (Christ the King Catholic Church) (Submitted on August 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

2. Christ the King Catholic Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.