History
The history of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd parallels the growth and development of the Kingwood area. Regular Sunday services began in 1962 in a private home in nearby Humble and Good Shepherd became a mission church of the Diocese of Texas the following year. The first permanent church building was built in Humble and was dedicated in 1967.
With the development of the “Livable Forest” of Kingwood in the early 1970s, the congregation moved from Humble a few miles north to Kingwood in February 1973. The Diocese of Texas bought the present four-acre site from Friendswood Development Company in September 1973. The first service in the building constructed there was held August 1, 1976, and the building was dedicated in September.
Within 14 years of its beginning, the small mission had accomplished the major task of building not one, but two church facilities. In relocating to Kingwood, the church found a place to put down permanent roots and grow with the young community, from 72 families in 1973 to 199 families in 1976.
In 1978, Good Shepherd achieved parish status and the church grew substantially, numbering 346 families in 1984. A Christian education building was completed in 1983 and the Good Shepherd School soon began operations in the new facility.
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By 1987 a long-range planning committee concluded that Good Shepherd needed a larger sanctuary and additional classroom and office space. Over $600,000 was pledged toward the $1.5 million cost of the new facility, which was dedicated in November 1990.
In response to continued growth in church membership, ministries, and school enrollment, Good Shepherd stepped out in faith, raised more than $1.4 million in pledges, and borrowed an additional $1 million to build our two-story Mission Center, which opened in time for the start of the 2001 school year.
In recent years, we have seen our New Light worship service grow into our 9:15 am Sunday Family Celebration, which offers a more contemporary worship format for younger families with school-aged children. Participation in this service has grown steadily, while attendance at our more traditional worship services has maintained.
Also, during the COVID pandemic, we initiated the use of online services. This enabled us to maintain attendance, expand our ministries - including Christian education classes and small group meetings - and offer Morning Prayer weekdays at 6:30 am. The expanded use of technology to reach our parishioners has become a permanent aspect of fulfilling our mission.
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The Good Shepherd parish has been fortunate to have the leadership of five outstanding rectors over the years: the Rev. Joseph Johnson (1973-1978), the Rev. Richard Elwood (1979-1984), the Rev. Stephen R. Whitfield (1985-1992), the Rev. Dennis G. Fotinos (1993-2008), the Rev. William T. Richter Jr. (2009-2024). Currently, the Rev. Celeste Geldreich serves as Locum Tenens.