Saint David the King
Saint David the King, May 2021.
Historical Overview
Standing at 1 New Village Road is a large Roman Catholic church. This is Saint David the King. In the 1970s, West Windsor was rapidly-growing as many families moved into town. In 1972, several families formed the "West Windsor Catholic Club" to sponsor various spiritual and social activities. Early organizers included Mary Burke, Mary Ann Brophy, Helen Dalton, and Gloria Wilcox.[1] Desire for Catholic services grew rapidly, and in 1981 St.. Paul's church of Princeton established a mission in the West Windsor-Plainsboro area, called "Saint David the King" in homage to David, the legendary biblical figure. The had pastor then was Reverend Evasio DeMarcellis. At the time, there were an estimated 400 Catholics in the West Windsor-Plainsboro area.[2]
In those early years, mass was frequently held at Maurice Hawk School[3] and the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.[4] However, Saint David's growth prompted consideration of construction of a dedicated church building of their own. I fact, expansion was so great that in January of 1988, Saint David's graduated from "mission" status to become a parish of its own.[5] In 1991, the cornerstone was laid at their house of worship at 1 New Village Road,[6] under leadership of Father John F. Wake.[7] In the decades since, the church has expanded significantly, notably adding a "Great Hall" some time between 2008 and 2010.[8],[9] The church continues to serve hundreds of congregants.
In those early years, mass was frequently held at Maurice Hawk School[3] and the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.[4] However, Saint David's growth prompted consideration of construction of a dedicated church building of their own. I fact, expansion was so great that in January of 1988, Saint David's graduated from "mission" status to become a parish of its own.[5] In 1991, the cornerstone was laid at their house of worship at 1 New Village Road,[6] under leadership of Father John F. Wake.[7] In the decades since, the church has expanded significantly, notably adding a "Great Hall" some time between 2008 and 2010.[8],[9] The church continues to serve hundreds of congregants.
Bibliography
- "Club Organizing." Town Topics. May 25, 1972.
- "Mission Established." Town Topics. July 8, 1981.
- Ibid.
- "Bulletin Notes." Town Topics. January 20, 1981.
- "Way cleared for W. Windsor church." The Times. February 24, 1989.
- “Cornerstone of Saint David the King Roman Catholic Church.” West Windsor, New Jersey: 1 New Village Road, 1991.
- “Lives of Faith,” July 17, 2014. Published by the Diocese of Trenton.
- "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2008.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2008.
- "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2010.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2010.
