Father Donald King was ordained to the priesthood on June 27, 1974, while studying in Rome. He served in various capacities for the Youngstown Diocese and in Rome—most recently as president of Stark County Catholic Schools.
A Canton native, he attended St. Benedict School and later Canton Central Catholic High School. He continued his high school education and began his college studies at St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati, receiving a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He progressed to the North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a baccalaureate in sacred theology and a master’s in pastoral theology.
While in Rome, he served in youth ministry. He also served as a deacon for St. Laurence Parish in Liverpool, England. He was ordained a priest in 1974 by then-Bishop James Hickey (later Cardinal-archbishop of Washington)—then serving as rector of the North American College.
Father King’s first diocesan assignment was associate pastor of St. Joan of Arc (now Guardian Angels Parish) in Canton, assuming additional duties as chairman of the prayer and worship committee for the ’76 Synod. He was transferred to associate pastor of St. Paul Parish in North Canton, in 1977, and again to associate pastor of St. Mary (now St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish) in Warren, with responsibilities as chaplain for Trumbull Memorial Hospital. In 1978, he was assigned as associate pastor of Holy Family Parish in Poland, as well as to the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, and elected to the diocesan Priest Senate. Appointed the following year as the director of the diocesan Church vocations office, he became the director of the permanent diaconate program in 1982, when he was also vice president of the Priest Senate and elected president of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors. He also served as coordinator for ministry training and on the Priest Personnel Board.
In 1987, Father King joined the faculty of the North American College— serving until 1991. He assumed his first pastorate, Blessed Sacrament (now St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish) in Warren, in 1991. During that period he was also dean for the Trumbull County Deanery and chaplain for Scouts in Trumbull County. Father King became pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Canton in 2010. He remained there until his retirement in 2019.
Since retiring, Father King has been called to serve the diocese in various capacities. Asked to step in on an interim basis as president of Stark County Catholic Schools on July 1, 2022, he was officially appointed to that position on October 11, 2022—continuing to serve in that capacity until July 1 of this year. During 2023, he assumed the additional responsibility of pro-tem administrator of Divine Mercy Parish in Massillon.
He plans to reside in Hobe Sound, Florida, and to assist at a nearby parish.
