PRINCETON, NJ — Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church will host its Annual Community Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1 Quarry Street, bringing neighbors, families and community organizations together for an afternoon of food, music, games and conversation.
The free event is open to the entire community and is designed to celebrate the people, history and diversity of Princeton's neighborhoods while giving residents a chance to connect with one another and learn about issues important to the community, organizers said.
The day will include food, music, games, family activities, table displays by community organizations, and a series of speakers addressing Princeton's history, faith and social justice, affordable housing, civic engagement and the future of local communities.
"This Block Party is really about bringing people together," said Evan Peal, president of the Young Adult Ministry at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church. "We want to create a space where neighbors can meet one another, families can have fun together, and people can connect with the organizations and leaders working to make our community stronger. Community isn't just a place where we live; it's something we build together."
The opening program begins at 11:15 a.m. with a poem by Cecelia Hodges, followed by remarks from Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, Peal, Shirley Satterfield and Rev. Glen Misick, interim pastor of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church.
"Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church has a long history of putting faith into action and being part of the life of this community," Misick said. "This gathering gives us an opportunity to celebrate that history while also looking forward. We want people to come together across generations and backgrounds, strengthen relationships and remind ourselves that caring for our neighbors is at the heart of what community is about."
Satterfield will speak on the history and legacy of Witherspoon Street and the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, while Misick will discuss the church's social justice mission and its commitment to service and community engagement.
Following a break, the program resumes at 12:15 p.m. with a series of brief community conversations featuring Joy Barnes Johnson on the legacy of the Paul Robeson House; Rev. Eric Dobson on affordable housing; state Sen. Andrew Zwicker on the role of government and community; and Dr. Adam Hisham Hamawy on the future of families and communities across the 12th Congressional District.
The event is free and open to all ages, including longtime Princeton residents, newcomers and community organizations.
Organized in 1836, Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church has long been tied to the African American history of Princeton and the Witherspoon-Jackson community.
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