Father Chris Gillespie joins the King's community
July 7, 2025
King’s welcomes Father Chris Gillespie as pastor of Christ the King University Parish and priest-chaplain of King's University College. Most recently, the pastor of Windsor-Lake St. Clair Catholic Family of Parishes (Tecumseh, Windsor, Emeryville and Belle River), Father Chris began his ministry at King’s on July 4, 2025.
“We are pleased to welcome Father Chris to King’s and to offer him our prayers of gratitude and support,” says Dr. Robert Ventresca, Interim President of King’s. ”We are grateful to continue partnering with the Diocese of London in nurturing pastoral ministry through the special role of priest-chaplain. May this tangible expression of cooperation between King’s and the local Church find new ways of integrating the intellectual and religious dimensions of university life, in fulfilment of our mission of service as a Catholic university.”
Although born in Scotland, Fr. Chris grew up in Sarnia, Ontario. In 1997, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of London and has served at parishes in London, Stratford, Seaforth, Clinton, Dublin, and the Kent Lambton Family of Parishes (Wallaceburg, Port Lambton and Dresden).
He served as an army chaplain for 11 years, during which time he did a tour of duty in Bosnia. He served as a chaplain to the Chatham Kent Police for eight years. Fr. Chris completed a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) in pastoral theology, specializing in the New Evangelization through Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and the Angelicum in Rome. He enjoys playing the bagpipes and participating in triathlons.
Fr. Chris is pleased to begin his new assignment as pastor of Christ the King University Parish, priest-chaplain of King's University College and as a faculty member of St. Peter's Seminary.
“We are excited to welcome Father Chris Gillespie to campus! It’s a real blessing to have him join our community, with the energy, insight, and kindness he brings to support our student and campus community,” says Joe Henry, Dean of Students.
"I am very much looking forward to working together in ministry with Father Chris on campus and at our university parish. My hope is that we build upon our work in engaging the community, offering quality pastoral care, and advancing Catholic mission,” says Janet Loo, Campus Minister. Loo worked with Fr. Chris for a brief time at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica.
King’s thanks Father Peter Amszej for his service and dedication to our community since coming to join us in July 2022. We wish him well in his new ministry as associate pastor of South Windsor Catholic Family of Parishes.