Prince of Peace Lutheran Church​

177 Princeton Hightstown Road, June 2022.

Historical Overview

Pictured: the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 177 Princeton Hightstown Road. This congregation represents the start of West Windsor’s mid-20th century religious growth.

The Princeton Baptist Church of Penns Neck and Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church were constructed in 1812​[1] and 1816,​[2] respectively. For the next 150 years, they were the only known regular congregations worshipping in town. However, on October 14, 1955, a group of Lutherans, represented by Mercia Bachmann, made a request to the New Jersey Synod of the Lutheran Church to establish a mission in rapidly-developing West Windsor. The next October 6, 1966, they began worship services in Maurice Hawk School, officiated by Pastor John Pfisterer.​[3]

Original PoP sanctuary rendering, 1975.

​In 1967, the congregation purchased a house for use as a parsonage at 37 Nassau Place as well as three and a half acres at 177 Princeton Hightstown Road in anticipation of constructing a house of worship. That same year, various initiatives began: a Couples’ Club, monthly Pot Luck Suppers, a Sunday Mission School, a Women’s Group, an Adult Choir, crafting of Chrismons for the Christmas Tree, welfare projects, and a First Confirmation Class. Many other initiatives have been established over the decades.​[4]

In April of 1968, Prince of Peace formally organized, with John Pfisterer as its first pastor. In February of 1976, after a decade of services in Maurice Hawk School, the congregation moved into and dedicated their newly-constructed 1-story tall sanctuary with slender steeple at 177 Princeton Hightstown Road. Growth prompted expansion and in 1991, the congregation worshipped in and dedicated the new, taller wing of their church, closer to the road.​[15]

In 1995, Prince of Peace formed its “Cherry Tree Club” to provide free early childhood education to at-risk children in Mercer County. This club operated in coordination with HomeFront and served over 900 children until the club closed its doors in 2016.​[6]

"The House Next Door," July 2023.

In 1996, the church purchased an early 20th-century house next door at 175 Princeton Hightstown Road. It was renamed “The House Next Door” and has hosted retreats, spiritual counseling, and meetings. In 2016, an 11-circuit Chartres-style “labyrinth” was constructed in its backyard for the purpose of meditation and contemplation. The backyard also hosts a butterfly garden, worship space, Memorial Garden, and “Peace Garden” (vegetable garden).​[7]

Over the decades, the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church has seen many pastors and congregants come and go, but, at the time of this writing (2022), still represents the historical beginning of religious expansion in mid-20th century West Windsor Township. 

For more Prince of Peace history, visit ​https://popnj.org/history/

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Bibliography

1. Wilson, Peter. “Minutes of the William’s Burrough Baptist Church, 1812-1852.” West Windsor, NJ: Princeton Baptist Church, 1812.
2. Sesquicentennial History: 1816-1966. West Windsor, New Jersey: First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck, 1966.
3. Bachman, Mercia. “Prince of Peace Lutheran Church - A History of the First 20 Years.” Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Accessed August 27, 2023. http://www.popnj.org/PDF/PoP_history_1966_1993.pdf
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.