Our History
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd was formally organized on November 1, 1960, through the merger of three long-standing congregations: St. Michael Evangelical Lutheran Church (Pfoutz Valley, founded in 1770), Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (Liverpool, founded in 1810), and Messiah Lutheran–E.U.B. Church (Hunter’s Valley, founded in 1845). Together, these congregations represented 455 accumulated years of ministry.
This union was not without challenge. For many years, the Liverpool Parish had been the last active six-church pastoral charge among the 4,200 congregations of the United Lutheran Church in America. Shortages of pastors, overlapping parish boundaries, and the need for more effective ministry made change inevitable. After years of study, prayer, and planning, the congregations joined hands to form a new church family under the name The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
Our building was dedicated on April 25, 1965, with a joyful service of music and meditation. Furnishings from the earlier congregations were incorporated into the new sanctuary—an altar, cross, pulpit, processional cross, and brass vases ensuring that the legacy of St. Michael, Trinity, and Messiah would live on within Good Shepherd.
In 1990 we celebrated our 30th anniversary as a congregation and the 25th anniversary of our church building. By the year 2000, our 40th anniversary, Good Shepherd had been served by seven pastors and had made significant improvements to the building, including accessibility updates, a new bell tower using the historic bell from St. Michael’s Church, and the installation of air conditioning. From horse-and-buggy pastors in the 1800s to modern worship today, the story of Good Shepherd is a testimony to God’s faithfulness through every generation.
Founding Pastors
Rev. Gilbert D. Strail (1923–1953)
Served the Liverpool Parish for 30 years.
Rev. Theodore Lindquist, Jr. (1958–1980s)
Called in 1958, he shepherded the congregations through the merger and dedication of the new church. His vision and leadership were instrumental in the formation of Good Shepherd.
(In the Picture Rev. Celo Leitzell & Rev. Donald Schaeffer)
Good Shepherd has been blessed by faithful pastoral leadership since its founding.
Rev. John McCune (1954–1957)
Guided the parish during a transitional time.
Rev. H. Lee Heber (1965 dedication preacher)
Brought the dedicatory message at the building dedication.