Parish Mission Statement
We exist to glorify God.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, and with Mary as our inspiration, we commit ourselves to the imitation of Jesus through acts of charity, works of mercy, defense of human dignity and to being a genuine community of faith, worship and service.
Our Mission - Make Church Matter
To inspire our faith community in deepening a relationship with Jesus and one another, so as to attract, invite and engage all to live a life of discipleship, and to create a community that can grow, serve and belong together as the Body of Christ.
Our History
Queenship of Mary Church was established on October 22, 1982. It is our honor to be the one parish that is dedicated under the title of Queenship of Mary, patroness of the Diocese of Metuchen which was created in November 1981.
Founded to serve the people of Cranbury and Plainsboro, it began as a mission of St. Cecilia parish in Monmouth Junction (itself a newly independent parish). The first Mass was celebrated in the Wicoff School in Plainsboro in November 1982.
Land for a church building (known as the Cooper Tract) was purchased on the corner of Scudders Mill & Dey Roads in 1984. On June 9, 1985 a Land Dedicating Mass was celebrated.
Father Frank Piazza was named the first Administrator of the new church in October 1986 and a rectory on Linden Lane was purchased in May 1987 when Father Piazza was named Pastor of the church. During this time our parish family continued to grow and so the celebration of Mass was moved to Community Middle School in Plainsboro. The parish held a Groundbreaking Ceremony on November 20, 1988 and on August 18, 1990 the new church building was dedicated by Bishop Edward T. Hughes.
Father Edward J. Struzik was named the second Pastor of the parish on October 8, 1991. A new rectory at 16 Dey Road in Plainsboro, across from the church, was purchased in May 1996 and an office complex was soon added. A bronze statue of Our Lady & Child was unveiled and dedicated on August 24, 1997 to commemorate the fifteen year anniversary of the founding parish. This statue stands as a welcome to the parishioners and visitors to our parish. Father Struzik moved to a new parish in 2001 and for a brief time Father Edward Flanagan followed by Father Michael Saharic were here as administrators.
On July 31, 2002 Father Robert W. Medley was appointed as our new Administrator and installed as our third Pastor on June 29, 2003. On September 8, 2011 the Papal Honor of Monsignor was conferred upon him.
Parishioner Hugo P. Simao was ordained Deacon in June 2010 and parishioner, he is actively ministering within our community.
On August 1, 2019 Father Gerry Paderon was appointed as our new Administrator. He was appointed Pastor on October 14, 2020.
Our church underwent major repairs to the building foundation in 2003/04, work that included mold remediation and waterproofing of the foundation, among other things. Then in January 2011 major structural roof repair required Mass and ministry gatherings be displaced for several months. Weekend Masses were celebrated at St. Joseph Seminary and weekday Mass at Walker Gordon Club House. At the same time, the parish used this as an opportunity to adapt a few things in the sanctuary. The sanctuary was tiled and the design reshaped. A ramp was added and the alcoves were extended to the floor, new pedestals were installed for the tabernacle and statue of Mary. In 2014, after enduring several years of leaks, the roof was completely replaced (the third roof given to our building in its short history!).
"In Him We Are Built Together" expressed our community sentiment as we reached our twenty-fifth anniversary. Building a Habitat for Humanity House, initiating the Guatemala Partnership, building Mary's Garden with brick pavers purchased in commemoration of loved ones and updating our photo directory were some of our wonderful milestones. On October 21, 2007 we celebrated this anniversary with Mass and a Dinner Dance.
"Giving Glory to God" through service reflects the sentiment of our Thirtieth anniversary in 2012. In celebration we came together as a community and created the tree of service. There were many pieces of fruit that filled the tree displaying the expressions of service provided to individuals and organizations by members of our parish community, giving themselves in service to other out of gratitude for what God has given us. It was a great time of faith and sharing.
In 2014 our parish embraced our mission to "Make Church Matter" and we committed to ensure all that we do is driven by our mission and is working to attract, invite and engage others into the life of our parish community (particularly those for whom Church doesn't currently matter!).
From Septmber 2017 to June 2018 our parish celebrated the 10th Anniversary of our Guatemala Partnership by "Opening a Window to Solidarity", helping us to embrace solidarity as a means to transforming lives, making history and to building a world that is brighther for all. During this celebration more than 200 parishioners came together to reflect on solidarity and we were glad to welcome 7 friends from our sister parish of Santa Cruz, Chiquimulilla as part of this celebration.
Queenship of Mary Church stands ready to serve the current and future needs of its parish families having grown in number at the start of merely 50 families to currently over 800 families.