Our original home.
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THE FIRST FREE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN RALEIGH_____________
The Church of the Good Shepherd was formed as the first free Episcopal Church in Raleigh in 1874. Until then, the only general house of worship in Raleigh for Episcopalians was Christ Church, where pews were owned by the various families composing its congregation. At Good Shepherd, all pews were open to whomever wished to sit in them. For its time, this was an act of radical hospitality in the Episcopal Church, and firmly established Good Shepherd as an inclusive community of faith: a reputation we strive to uphold still to this day in all its expansive truth.
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OUR FIRST RECTOR AND CHURCH BUILDING__________________________
Rev. Rich
In January of 1874, the Rev. Edward R. Rich was called as rector of the newly-formed church. He conducted the first service in February of 1874, assisted by the Rt. Rev. T. B. Lyman D. D.
By spring, a site at the corner of Hillsborough and McDowell streets was purchased and construction of the church began on Sept. 24, 1874. Services were often held in the Hall of the House of Representatives of the Capitol while the church was being built.
On Easter Day, March 28, 1875, the congregation held its first service in the church's present location. The new parish was admitted to the Diocese at the annual convention held in Wilmington on May 21, 1874.
By spring, a site at the corner of Hillsborough and McDowell streets was purchased and construction of the church began on Sept. 24, 1874. Services were often held in the Hall of the House of Representatives of the Capitol while the church was being built.
On Easter Day, March 28, 1875, the congregation held its first service in the church's present location. The new parish was admitted to the Diocese at the annual convention held in Wilmington on May 21, 1874.
OUR CURRENT CHURCH BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED________________
Rev. Pittenger
In 1896, the Rev. Isaac McKendree Pittenger, D. D., fourth rector of the church, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While there, he chose a block of marble quarried near Jerusalem and shipped it home as the cornerstone for a new and larger church building.
The cornerstone was laid in October 1899, but the building was not completed until 1914. The original church then became the Parish House and was used for that purpose until 1954 when a new Parish House building was completed. While the construction on the existing church structure was completed in 1914, the construction of the stained glass windows took place over the next 60 years.
The cornerstone was laid in October 1899, but the building was not completed until 1914. The original church then became the Parish House and was used for that purpose until 1954 when a new Parish House building was completed. While the construction on the existing church structure was completed in 1914, the construction of the stained glass windows took place over the next 60 years.
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The altar depicting The Last Supper and the wainscoting and paving inside the altar rail are made from Italian marble and are typical of churches in Northern Italy. It is said that the work was done in Italy and the masons came from there to install it. |
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NEW BEGINNINGS AND BRIGHT PROMISE_____________________________
2004 brought with it the completion and opening of the Duncan-Giersch Parish Life Center at Good Shepherd. Designed to complement the 1914 stone church building, the Parish Life Center is located next to the church. The granite used on the exterior comes from the same quarry as the granite used to build the church 100 years ago. The first floor is home to clergy and staff offices, the choir room, a parlor and a nursery. The second floor contains classrooms and meeting space for our Youth programs. The top floor contains a small chapel, kitchen and Shepherd's Hall - a large meeting area that is used for fellowship programs and recreational activities. Shepherd's Hall can also be rented for meetings and receptions.
The ground floor houses the Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen, which was founded in the early 1980s by Good Shepherd parishioners and is now supported by volunteers from Good Shepherd and the greater Raleigh community.
Throughout the 2010s, Downtown Raleigh underwent a renaissance which continues to transform the city center as we enter the 2020s. This revitalization has brought with it extensive development making our neighborhood a popular 24-hour live-work-play destination. As a result, Good Shepherd once again finds itself sitting at the heart of a vast mission field we are ready to serve. Echoing the spirit of our founders, we are so excited for the gift of entering into beloved community with our neighbors, welcoming and affirming one another as we seek to meet and serve Christ in ALL people and glorify God in our words and actions.
In August of 2019, we called our 12th and current rector, The Rev. Imogen Rhodenhiser, thus setting the stage for us to enter this next chapter ready to go forth into the world in peace and love to serve God in Christ and rejoice with all people in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
The ground floor houses the Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen, which was founded in the early 1980s by Good Shepherd parishioners and is now supported by volunteers from Good Shepherd and the greater Raleigh community.
Throughout the 2010s, Downtown Raleigh underwent a renaissance which continues to transform the city center as we enter the 2020s. This revitalization has brought with it extensive development making our neighborhood a popular 24-hour live-work-play destination. As a result, Good Shepherd once again finds itself sitting at the heart of a vast mission field we are ready to serve. Echoing the spirit of our founders, we are so excited for the gift of entering into beloved community with our neighbors, welcoming and affirming one another as we seek to meet and serve Christ in ALL people and glorify God in our words and actions.
In August of 2019, we called our 12th and current rector, The Rev. Imogen Rhodenhiser, thus setting the stage for us to enter this next chapter ready to go forth into the world in peace and love to serve God in Christ and rejoice with all people in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Shepherd's Hall
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The Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen
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PARISH LIFE AT GOOD SHEPHERD GET CONNECTED. STAY CONNECTED.
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Weekly Service Times
---Holy Eucharist--- 8:00 a.m. Sunday - In person 10:15 a.m. Sunday - In person & Livestream Watch us live or on demand Online across our digital channels ---Christian Formation for All Ages--- 9:00 a.m. Sunday mornings - In person View the Parish Newsletter for details. 
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman III, XII Bishop of North Carolina
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, Bishop Suffragan |
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