HISTORY OF MT PISGAH AME

History of Mt. Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church

Princeton, New Jersey

(September 18, 2003)

The first church established in Princeton, NJ, Mt. Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1832 by Samson Peters, a local preacher of Trenton AME church. The first place of worship was in a little frame schoolhouse on Witherspoon Street near the present location. The church was built on land purchased from Samuel Bayard in 1839 for the sum of $75. There is a strong possibility that the agreement for the purchase of the the land was in effect as early as 1835 and payment was completed in 1839. The corner stone bearing the date of “1835” was purchased by the Reverend Richard Robinson.

Ministers who pastored Mt. Pisgah between 1832 and 1900 are:

Rev. Willis Nazrey (elected 5th Bishop of the AME Church in 1852)

Rev. Alexander W. Wayman (elected 7th Bishop of the AME Church in 1864)

Rev. Jabez P. Campbell (elected 8th Bishop pf the AME Church in 1864)

Rev. John Wesley Cooper (Presiding Elder)

Rev. Junius Crowley Ayler (Presiding Elder. Admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1894)

Rev, John Quincy Johnson D.D.

Rev. Peter Emmanuel Mills, A.M., D.D.

Rev. Henry Hammond Pickney (Editor of the Christian Recorder in 1900 and 1908)

After a fire,the present church was rebuilt. The foundation was constructed under the jurisdiction of Reverend Spencer Logan. Reverend Theodore Gould was the pastor in 1860 at the time the church was completed.

The first parsonage purchased in 1877 was located on Jackson Street. The Trustees purchased this property for the sum of $1000. It is believed that the Reverend T.M. Steward was the pastor when it was purchased.

In 1908 the parsonage property on Jackson Street and the church property were mortgaged for the sum of $4000 to secure money for building. The mortgaged was transferred to the builder. The Sheriff purchased the mortgage. Then the Sheriff held a sale and both properties were purchased by Mr. William Moore. In 1923 the Trustees repurchased the properties for $1 from Mr. William Moore’s heirs.

On January 12, 1923 the deed for the property next to the church was purchased for $3700.

Rev. J. O. Vick was the pastor in 1929. An agreement was made by the Trustees to sell the Jackson Street property for $1600. The sale of the parsonage on Jackson Street necessitated the building of the present parsonage at 10 Maclean Street that same year..

The earliest tombstone for the “colored” bears the date 1852 is in the Colored Cemetery across the street from Mt. Pisgah on Witherspoon St.

Rev. John W. Johnson Sr. pastored at Mt. Pisgah from 1947-1957. During his tenure repairs were made to the church and an organ was purchased.

During the pastorate of Rev. A.D. Tyson in 1963, a new wing was built on the ground level-the Bates Wing. The Wing was named after a former church school worker Pearl Nelson Bates.

Rev. Marion F. Stokes pastored Mt. Pisgah from May 1966 to September 1971. A new floor in the main sanctuary was installed, and a new organ was purchased. The parsonage kitchen was remodeled and many worthwhile programs were initiated during this time.

In September 1971 Rev. Leon Gipson, Sr. was appointed pastor of Mt. Pisgah by the late Bishop John Douglas Bright, Sr. During his tenure carpeting was placed in the Pastor's office and a glide chair was placed in the church to aide those who had difficulty climbing stairs. The kitchen was renovated, and a new range and refrigerator was installed. The parsonage was completely restored inside and out.

The home of a deceased member, Bro. Joseph Harmon, 158 Witherspoon Street was purchased and completely renovated. This home provided income for the church as well as housing which the neighborhood needed. In 1975, the Mercer County Nutrition Program needed a facility to serve meals for a nominal fee, and Mt. Pisgah met the requirements. Senior citizens of all races and creeds continue to particpate in the fellowship. .

On May 7, 1978, Mt. Pisgah celebrated the burning of its mortgage. 

Rev. Dr. Fred D. Tennie, Jr. "Princeton Pastor" was assigned pastor in May 1981. He gave progressive programs of leadership in Mt. Pisgah as well as in the community at large.

Under Rev. David Cousin, Sr. (June 1986-March 1991), plans for renovation was initiated. The kitchen was refurbished with new cabinets, installation of padding for the pews, air conditioning, and new carpeting in the main sanctuary. A van was purchased to provide transportation to and from Sunday services.

Two important projects were undertaken and completed during the administration of Rev. Jonathan Wade from March 1991 to September 1992. First, the roof of the Bates Wing was repaired and then both restrooms were completely restored.

From November 1992 to 2007 Rev. Vernard R. Leak shepherded Mt. Pisgah through over  $300,000 of restoratorations to church property without borrowing. His specific focus, "Making our Lives a House of Devotion through a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing renewal prevalent within our walls and elsewhere."

When Rev. Leak became a Presiding Elder in 2007,  Mt. Pisgah was served briefly by Rev. Harvey Sparkman. History was made at Mt. Pisgah in 2009, when for the first time, a female, the Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Brooks was appointed Pastor of Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Princeton by the Rt. Rev. Richard F. Norris, Bishop of the First Episcopal District of the AME Church. 

Following the Pastorate of Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Brook, the Rev. Tamoya Buckley-David was assigned to Mt. Pisgah by the Rt. Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram. At the First Episcopal District Planning Meeting in June 2019,the Rev. Dr. Deborah K. Blanks was appointed to serve Mt. Pisgah.

This is not the end of the story. Mt. Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church of Princeton, New Jersey continues its end time preparation, with a thirst for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 

We praise God for those who will allow the work of the Lord in their lives.

This information was originally compiled by Bro. Raymond Fleming, New Brunswick District Lay Historiographer  

(It has been edited in 2010) Thank you also to Sis. Charline Johnson