No, you should aim for GSs and GEs, not Priests. Whipping to size 1 is a war-tactic or a tactic for cultural-helper-cities, don't necessarily do it, as there are various circumstances, under which growing cities makes sense, like you i. e. not being at war, so that once you go to war, you can whip them down. Advantage: Units stored in population that can be whipped don't cost maintenance, but even bring in gold, when i. e. working a Cottage.
You should also always at least try, to let your capital grow to happy-cap, once the initial Settlers are out. Your capital runs Bureacracy at most times and is your most important city with probably also having an Academy, care for it.