The Founding and Growth of St. David the King Parish
The history of St. David the King Parish is rooted in the deep faith, vision, and desire of the lay Catholic leaders in West Windsor to build a vibrant faith community that would be a witness to the love of Christ in the greater community. The seeds for this parish were planted in May 1972, when the Catholic Club of West Windsor gathered to address the needs of the growing Catholic population in the area. As West Windsor began to experience significant population growth, these leaders recognized the importance of having a dedicated Catholic presence to meet the spiritual needs of the area’s expanding community.
In 1981, Bishop John Reiss recognized the need for a new parish and officially named St. David the King as a mission church of St. Paul’s in Princeton. During the 1980s, weekend Masses were celebrated in temporary locations, including West Windsor-Plainsboro High School and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Despite the challenges of being a mission church, the faith and determination of the parish community remained strong, and in 1987, a building fund was established to begin the work toward creating a permanent home for the parish.
In early 1988, St. David the King was formally named a parish of the Diocese of Trenton, and later that year, Fr. John Wake was appointed as the first pastor. Under his leadership, the dream of a permanent church began to take shape. By late 1989, the community broke ground for the new church building, and on Christmas Eve, 1991, the first Mass was celebrated in the newly constructed church. Bishop Reiss officially dedicated the church building on January 4, 1992, marking the beginning of a new chapter for St. David the King Parish.
A Period of Growth and Expansion
In November 1994, Fr. Timothy J. Capewell became the parish’s second pastor, ushering in a period of remarkable growth. The parish, which had started with around 400 families at the time of the church’s dedication, grew to over 1,700 families by the early 2000s. The deep faith and desire to witness Christ’s love in the community fueled this growth, as the parish expanded its ministries, outreach programs, and educational opportunities to serve its members.
Recognizing the need for more space to accommodate the growing community, the parish broke ground in 2008 for a major expansion project that would provide additional office, event, and classroom space, including the Faith Formation Center and the Great Hall. This expansion was completed and dedicated in 2010, further solidifying St. David the King’s commitment to being a welcoming, vibrant hub for faith formation, fellowship, and service.
Continuing the Legacy of Faith
In June 2023, after almost 29 years of dedicated service, Fr. Tim Capewell retired as pastor of St. David the King. His leadership helped shape the parish into a thriving, faith-filled community. Following his retirement, Fr. Jason M. Parzynski was appointed parish administrator with plans for him to become the parish’s third pastor, which was effective July 1, 2024. Under his leadership, the parish remains committed to its mission of building a strong, engaged Catholic community that continues to be a beacon of faith, hope, and love.
The Charism of St. David the King
One of the unique aspects of St. David the King is its patron saint—King David of the Old Testament. The name was suggested by Fr. Evasio DeMarcellis, pastor of St. Paul’s in Princeton at the time of the parish’s founding. He chose David because, in many ways, David embodies the complex nature of the human experience—he was a man of great faith and courage, yet also one who struggled and sinned. Fr. DeMarcellis described David as “a man of great faith and prayer, just, and compassionate,” someone who represents the very human nature that all people can relate to. His story speaks to the grace of God that works through both our strengths and our weaknesses, making David a fitting patron for a parish that seeks to witness to faith and compassion in the midst of life’s challenges.
As we continue to grow, St. David the King Parish remains a community founded on a deep faith, a commitment to witness Christ’s love, and a desire to serve our greater community. From its humble beginnings to its current standing as a vibrant parish, the desire to live the Gospel in action and word remains at the heart of our mission.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Founding Families
We are deeply grateful for the unwavering commitment and vision of the families whose dedication helped bring St. David the King Parish from dream to reality. Their faith, perseverance, and hard work laid the foundation for the vibrant community we are today. We extend our sincere appreciation to:
- Jane and Bud Avil
- Alice and Tom McVeigh
- Jim and Elaine Nolan
- Anne and Larry Ryan
- Gerry and Lynn Thornton
- Kay and Bill Tighe
These founding families, with their steadfast belief in the future of our parish, played a crucial role in making the vision of St. David the King a reality. Through their support, sacrifice, and service, they helped create a place of worship, fellowship, and growth that continues to thrive. Their legacy of faith and commitment continues to inspire and guide us as we move forward in our mission to be a witness of Christ’s love in our community.