the EPISCOPAL CHURCH welcomes you

Church of the Good Shepherd

Our History

The beginnings of the Church of the Good Shepherd date back to 1952. Recognizing that the communities around Lyndhurst needed an Episcopal parish, lay person Ralph Noblett organized a petition drive to establish a mission. The congregation soon began to worship in the chapel of Hawken School.

Services moved to the Hillcrest YMCA on Mayfield Road in 1956.

 In the winter of 1957, the members broke ground for a building of their own on Cedar Road in Lyndhurst. The first services in the current building were held on Christmas Eve, 1958. The Rev. Robert Dean was rector for 23 years until he was called elsewhere in 1976.

While the parish thrived in the 60s, membership fell in the 70s, and in 1977 the parish was on diocesan aid. During the following fifteen years, the parish grew and the Naumann Hall wing was added. Under the leadership of the Rev. Graham Smith, the parish changed in many visible ways as it experienced renewal in preaching, teaching and worship. For example, the Shepherdfolk drama ministry performed inspirational plays in our region and around the state.

During the 1990's, the emphasis on renewal combined with Anglican tradition continued. Many parishioners studied using the Alpha Course. The HeavenBound youth program became one of the most energized in the diocese. Rector David Chalk led the youth on annual mission trips to the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.

In the early years of the 2000’s, events in the national Episcopal Church caused repercussions in local parishes. The Church of the Good Shepherd maintains adherence to the Biblical standards it has had since it opened its doors. These are our cornerstone principles. Jesus is the head of the Church. All baptized Christians are ministers. The Church is the body of Christ. Our primary purpose is to serve those outside us.

At the Church of the Good Shepherd there is a lively sense of the Holy Spirit acting in our lives. Our love of Jesus is deep, and our calling to serve God is strong. During Good Shepherd’s tenure, four members have gone on to become ordained priests, several left home to become long-term missionaries, and countless people served on short-term missionary trips.

Today the parish is becoming more intentional in reaching out to the community around us. Children look for us at Lyndhurst Home Days.  A few years ago our rector, the Rev. Brad Purdom, initiated a monthly community meal.  On the last Saturday of the month, people in the area gather for lunch and for companionship. Our youth participate in activities like the 30-hour fast for World Vision and a teen music ministry.  The youth have volunteered at places, such as the Food Bank. The community has joined us in a variety of other events, like Coffee Houses and a pet blessing service. Our building is also used during the week by many self-help groups and a Montessori School.  The congregation is expecting to continue to reach out to the community in new ways and to grow in faith and friendship as well. We seek to make a difference and invite you to join us.