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An association member of Concordia Lutheran School and Mount Rainier Lutheran High School |
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140 East 56th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98404 253-473-4848 |
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www.goodshepherdluth.com |
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GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH |
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and Little Lambs Preschool |
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Church History |
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A call was sent and accepted by Pastor Harold G. Johnson, who grew up at Zion, Tacoma. He was called from Coffeyville, Kansas, and was installed as the first resident Pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in 1951. He and his wife, Maxine, with their two small sons, supplied the youthful enthusiasm for God’s Kingdom to grow. Slowly, the congregation grew. Sunday School, Christmas pageants, fellowship and family nights, picnics, and a strawberry festival, helped this growth. The Lord blessed the Johnsons with the birth of a daughter during their stay at Good Shepherd. |
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In 1953, the congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church, located at Harrison and East “G” Streets was without a pastor. At that time, the decision was made to merge with Concordia. This merging increased the membership and brought new and dedicated workers to the area. The merger also brought additional children for the Sunday School. The joint membership voted to change the name of the congregation to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. |
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Looking ahead, the congregation purchased the present site of the corner of East 56th and “B” Streets, with the dream of a future permanent church home. Ground was broken on June 7, 1953, for a facility that would also include a parsonage. Soon, the cornerstone was put in place. On June 6, 1954, the building was ready for dedication. |
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On November 13, 1955, Pastor Johnson accepted a Call to Bellevue to help with a mission established in that area. A Call was then sent to Pastor Harold J. Gieseke, who accepted and was installed as the second pastor of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. He, with his wife, Irma, and three daughters lived in the chapel church-parsonage. Under his guidance, growth continued both spiritually and physically. |
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The Concordia School building was again used for additional Sunday School rooms. At this time, a group of members was released to begin work in the Summit area. As the church continued to grow, so did Pastor Gieseke’s family, as the Lord blessed them with another daughter and a son. In 1962, Pastor Gieseke accepted a Call to Eugene, Oregon. |
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The third pastor of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd was Delbert C. Schroeder, who was installed on Sunday, September 9, 1962. He and his wife, Thelma, with their four daughters and son, came to us from Kennewick, Washington. It was during Pastor Schroeder’s ministry that the congregation began to feel the need for more space..A three-phase building program was outlined to meet the congregation’s future needs. The first phase was the construction of a new parsonage. This was completed and occupied by the Schroeder family in November of 1965. The old parsonage space was then used for Sunday School classes. |
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The next phase of the expansion program had to be delayed when Pastor Schroeder accepted a Call to serve as the Executive Secretary of the LCMS Northwest District in Portland, OR. He departed Tacoma on June 18, 1967. The vacancy was partly lessened by the coming of the first of the vicars employed by the congregation. Vicar Terrance Borchard and his wife, Kathy, occupied the former parsonage rooms and helped the congregation during the vacancy period. |
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A Call was extended to Pastor Roland A. Koch of Spokane, WA, who accepted the Call and was installed as the congregation’s fourth pastor on November 26, 1967. Pastor Koch was joined by his wife, Hilda, and their three children. Pastor Koch was immediately confronted with the congregation’s desire to proceed with its expansion program with the construction of a new house of worship. |
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On February 11, 1969, the congregation voted to proceed with the building of the new church as soon as possible. A little over a year later, during the week of March 8-15, 1970, the new church was dedicated. At this time, the name of the congregation was officially changed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. |
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Pastor Koch retired from the full-time ministry and served as Visitation Pastor for a number of years to follow. Pastor Robert E. Banken from Grants Pass, OR, was installed as the fifth pastor on August 22, 1982. Pastor Banken, his wife Gloria, and their four children were warmly welcomed. |
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In November 1985, our “Operation Thanks-Giving” program was started. Operation Thanks-Giving is a free meal program which reaches out into the community providing food, clothing, and spiritual direction to many. November of 2010 celebrates the 25th anniversary of Operation Thanks-Giving which is still serving hot delicious meals all year round, every Tuesday at 6PM. |
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Richard D. Johnson was called to serve as Minister of Education, Youth and Families in the fall of 1994. He was installed in November of that year. He joined us with his wife, Tierney, and their two daughters. |
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On January 17, 1996, Pastor Banken accepted a Call and was commissioned to serve as Pastor of the Congregation of the Good Shepherd in Beijing, China and to serve as a “Missionary at Large” to the expatriates living there. |
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In May of 1996, ground was broken for a new addition to the church building. The new space provided two classrooms, a larger narthex, a nursery, member mail boxes, and a coffee station. It was dedicated on November 13, 1996. |
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Pastor Daniel J. Gerken, who was serving in Walla Walla, WA, became the seventh pastor to serve at Good Shepherd. He was installed on January 19, 1997. He and his wife, Ruth, and son, were welcomed at a reception. Pastor Gerken is the current pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. |
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On September 24, 2000, a sculpture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd was dedicated and placed on the north side of the church building exterior. The sculpture was carved by a local master carver, Don Church, and assisted by Art McKellips. In 2003, DCE Rick Johnson resigned his position in order to enter the Seminary and train for the office of the holy ministry. In July of 2005, Ken Norton was installed as the new Director of Christian Education. He served in that position until the end of 2009. |
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The year 2000, marked our 50th anniversary as a congregation. September 12, 2010, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the first Sunday worship service held back in 1950. As we look ahead to the future, there are still many challenges and opportunities that face us. We continue to seek to share the life-changing and life-saving message of Jesus, our Good Shepherd: “I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) |
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“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a corner-stone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” |
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On June 13, 2010, the Rev. Bradley Varvil was installed as an Assistant Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran. This is part-time position since he is still employed full time in a secular job. Pastor Varvil will be working with the youth groups and preaching once a month. |
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At the beginning of September of 2005, we opened the doors to Little Lambs Preschool for the first time. On September 11, 2005, we dedicated the preschool to our Lord and Savior with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Bonnie Jean Huset is the Preschool Director. Three & four year olds are welcome! Please visit www.littlelambstacoma.com for more information. |
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A nearly completed Concordia Lutheran School building, a developing area of new homes, a vision to sense a fertile mission field, eager volunteers, and a Vacation Bible School all meshed together in the summer of 1950 to form the beginnings of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Because the response and attendance to the Vacation Bible School program was encouraging, a plan to start a new mission congregation was put into motion. Under the direction of Pastors Arthur W. Schelp of Zion Lutheran Church and Winfred A. Schroeder of Grace Lutheran Church, both congregations voted to approve this new mission. A small nucleus of 35 members from Grace and Zion were released to work in this area. The first worship service was held on the first Sunday in September of 1950. It was followed by Sunday School. Pastor A. W. Schelp conducted the service. They met in the basement of the school. Praying for God’s guidance and direction, little did that small group, then calling itself the Concordia Lutheran Mission, realize how abundantly God would bless this mission. |
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Concordia Lutheran Mission held its first service at the school in September of 1950 |
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First Official Picture of the congregation of Concordia Lutheran Church |
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Groundbreaking Ceremony |
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Dedication |
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On September 9, 1984 Pastor Virgil R. White was installed as Associate Pastor. He and his wife, Marsha, had three children. Pastor White accepted a Call to Abbotsford, B.C., leaving in January of 1994. |
