Our History
Nativity of Our Lord Church was established as a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen on July 7, 1992 by Bishop Edward T. Hughes. Father Stephen Congdon was the founding pastor. The original parish office and adjoining chapel were located in the Concordia Shopping Plaza located on Perrineville Road. Weekend Masses were held at the Applegarth Middle School.
As the area of Monroe Township began to change from a rural farming community to an active community of retired and younger families, it was decided that the parish community needed a more permanent home. The generosity of our founding families enabled the present church structure to be erected on a former potato farm. The solemn Mass of Consecration took place on November 21, 1996 - the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Nativity of Our Lord formally opened wide the door to welcome Christ as head of this household!
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In 2019, the parish embarked on an extensive renovation of the church interior. The drop ceiling was removed, terrazzo floors laid, and new mosaic stations of the cross and stained-glass windows depicting the Joyful and Glorious Mysteries were installed. A new altar with the Nativity scene depicted on the front, a new Baptismal font and ambo and a beautiful wooden reredos completed the new look.
Over the years the people of Nativity of Our Lord have answered the call to discipleship. We are strengthened in our mission and ministry as a parish family through the proclamation of the Word and as we gather around the Table of the Lord each week to receive His Sacred Body and Blood. We firmly believe that our life of service flows from our life of worship. This is clearly echoed in the mission statement of our parish: Sustained by the Eucharist, we reflect the joy of Christ’s birth to all people through love, compassion and service. Within the parish there exist various opportunities to exercise the call of discipleship through a life of Christian service. We invite all members of our parish family to use their gifts and talents for the building up of God’s Kingdom here in Monroe Township.
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