Church of the
GOOD SHEPHERD/
IMMANUEL ST. JAMES CHAPEL
Church of the Good Shepherd's History
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The possibility of establishing an Episcopal Church in Shelton was first considered during the winter of 1872, when the Rev. L. B. Baldwin, then rector of St. James' Church, Derby, held Sunday evening services for a small body of church people, on the west side of the Housatonic river. Mr. A. B. Ruggles, a resident churchman, and Charles H. Proctor, a divinity student, continued the work for some time. It is said that Mr. Ruggles conducted the first service in Shelton. These services were held in a building situated on the corner of Howe Avenue and Center Street, a site which was swept by fire in 1890 and was then occupied by the Blake building.
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The work was again commenced in the fall of 1883, by the Rev. H.C. Tarrant, then rector of St. Paul’s Church, Huntington, but was given up in the spring following. As a result, however, of Rev. Tarrant’s influence, the late Mrs. Jane Shelton bequeathed $1,000 in 1884 to be used in erecting a church edifice, and $600 for two memorial windows, on condition that a parish be organized and a church built within twenty years.
The family Bible, which she had given her daughter - her only child - on her wedding day, and received again after her death she entrusted to the Rector of St. Paul’s for the future church in Shelton, with instructions that her daughter’s name be inscribed on the cover, and that it be placed on the lectern at the first service. Bishop Williams was present on the occasion of this gift.
While the work to form Good Shepherd continued on and off for several years, during the summer of 1888 the Rev. George H. Buck, Rector of St. James' Church, Derby, held services on Sunday afternoons. After a time, these services were also discontinued.
In the fall of 1892, a number of Shelton women, under the leadership of Mrs. Harriet Hotchkiss, organized for the purpose of establishing a future parish. After five years of persistent work services were again commenced, the first being held on Sunday, April 25, 1897, in Mechanics' Hall. The congregation, now permanently formed, moved to the Scattergood Tabernacle, then standing on Perry Avenue, where they remained until the fall of 1901. Frederick H. Mathison, of Berkeley Divinity School, then in Middletown, was made lay reader in charge, and after his ordination he became the first rector of the parish.
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On May 29, 1897, the Rt. Rev. John Williams, Bishop of the Diocese, authorized the formation of a Parish. The organization was affected under the name "Church of the Good Shepherd". John H. Barlow and Charles G. Burr were elected wardens.
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A lot on the corner of Howe Avenue and Kneen Street was immediately purchased by the women's organization for the site of the future church, but the growth of the parish and of the borough afterward it was exchanged for a lot on the corner of Coram Avenue and Kneen Street, the present site of the church.
​​The movement toward the building the Church was begun early in the year 1899, when the design of a church similar to St. John’s Church, New Milford CT was selected, to be built of stone. E.H. Sturges of New Rochelle was chosen as the architect.
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In 1900, a donation of $2,000 was made by members of the parish which, with additions from other sources, secured a fund of about $6,000. Mrs. John H. Barlow bequeathed $1,000 to the fund about this time.
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It was determined the selection of a design was not right, and Heins and La Farge of New York City were chosen as architects, to prepare a design for an edifice of wood and stone. Some members of the parish, however, gave largely in order that the building might be permanent, so that when final action was taken, it was decided to build entirely of stone.
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The corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies on June 14, 1902. The first service in the new building was held in the Parish Rooms, June 1903, and the formal opening of the Church occurred July 26 of the same year.
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In December, 1904, the Vestry granted Rev. Mathison a year’s leave of absence, and he left the parish for an extended tour of the Holy Land. During this interval, the Rev. Millidge Walker and the Rev. John Walker were successively in charge and the work continued to prosper.
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Rev. Mathison returned that latter part of the following year, 1905, but his health began at once to decline. After a lingering illness of several months, he entered into rest August 24, 1906. He was greatly beloved by his people, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." To his untiring zeal and devotion, under the Divine approval, the parish of the Good Shepherd owes its beautiful house of worship.
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Mr. Heyn, a student at the Berkeley Divinity School, was appointed acting lay reader in charge. Visiting clergymen supplied the parish from time to time so that services were regularly maintained and parochial activities continued.​
February 17th, 1907, the Rev. Charles G. Clark began his duties as the second rector of the parish. During the years 1906 and 1907 the entire debt of the church was cancelled and the church building completed by the erection of the tower-the generous gift of Mrs. Louise W. Plumb. The seating capacity was also enlarged by the addition of six new pews.​
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On Saturday, June 22, 1907, the church was formally consecrated and set apart to the worship of Almighty God, by the Rt. Rev. Chauncey B. Brewster, Bishop of the Diocese, the rector and eighteen visiting clergymen assisting in the services.
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Ground was broken for the rectory November 7th, 1907. The Rector, in the presence of a few of the parishioners, turning the first sod; and it was completed September 1st, 1908. The Rectory is a ten-room house of Colonial design, with all the modern improvements of the day. The architects were Mr. Brown & Mr. Von Beren, of New Haven. The carpentry and mason work was done by the C.F. Wooding Co., of Wallingford CT, who sublet the mason work to R.J. Hall, of Ansonia. The plumbing and heating contract was awarded to D. H. Kelly of Derby. The house is steam heated and was lit by both gas and electricity, the fixtures being furnished by the Bradley & Hubbard Co., of Meriden. The window shades were furnished by the Howard & Barber Co., of Derby, who also secured the contract for the decorating. Various offerings and gifts were made for the Rectory by parish organizations and by friends of the Rector and Mrs. Clark. It is with these generous offerings that allowed the successful completion of the rectory.
In 1908, the parish sustained a heavy loss in the death of Mr. John H. Barlow, one of the founders of the parish and senior warden from its inception. His death occurred on June 16th, 1908. Wise in counsel and faithful in every deed, Mr. Barlow was ever a tower of strength, and the parish can never cease to mourn his loss.
In 1910 a two-manual electric pipe organ was installed. After a fruitful rectorship of five years, Rev. Clark resigned to accept work in his native diocese of Long Island.
In these twenty-five years of services; the communicant list of the parish grew from 337 to 566 and the Sunday School from 185 to 263.
The Rev. Frank Morehouse was called to succeed Rev. Charles Clark. He assumed his duties as rector February 6, 1913. Under his leadership the drive to complete the installation of the Tiffany windows was completed. The dedication service was held November 22, 1914. After twenty-two and one half years of service, following the death of his wife, he accepted a call to serve as the rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in New London, CT November 1st 1935. The rectorship of Rev. Morehouse was one of accomplishment. He took prominent part in civic and public affairs, serving as chairman of the Shelton board of education and as president of the Shelton Kiwanis Club.
The Rev. Louis Perkins answered the call to serve in Shelton on January 1, 1936. His years of service were noteworthy for the tremendous amount of missionary work he accomplished among the unchurched in the community. He left on July 1, 1943 to accept a call to serve a parish in Auburn, N.Y. and also to aid in service the prisoners in Auburn State Prison.
The Rev. Fred Perry Sutton, a leader in Episcopalian education in New Jersey, answered the call to Shelton on November 1, 1943.
On December 28, 1957, an electrical fire destroyed almost all the interior of the 56-year old church despite herculean efforts by eight companies of volunteer firemen from three communities in the lower Naugatuck Valley. Shelton Fire Chief Leslie Bauer estimated the loss at approximately $200,000. Nearly a dozen firefighters were injured or suffered smoke inhalation. Two required treatment at Griffin Hospital, Derby. Neither was admitted, however. The general alarm fire sent massive clouds of black smoke, visible for miles around, into the gray afternoon sky. Hundreds of spectators were attracted to the scene, as the tragic Christmas Week fire ruined the stone edifice. The original magnificent Tiffany glass windows were destroyed during the blaze. Heat from the fire had caused lead in the windows to melt. When a fireman threw a rock through the window to let smoke out, all the glass fell out in a shower.
A number of items from the original building, including the altar, pulpit and lectern, survived the flames and were refinished by congregation members. Immediately following the fire, St. James Church in Derby provided a location for church services. Rev. Sutton then conducted all the services of the church in the local high school gymnasium until Christmas Day 1958. On this day the services were held in the newly completed parish hall in the basement of the church. The first service held in the main body of the church was on Easter Day 1959. The church was consecrated anew on June 14, 1959. A new Moeller pipe organ was installed March 1962. After serving in an exemplary manner for nearly twenty-seven years, Rev. Sutton retired September 30, 1970.
On November 16, 1970, the Rev. Alfred Morris became rector of the parish. He immediately instituted a drive to complete the refurbishing of the church. On October 10, 1971, the new stained glass altar window was dedicated. On October 14, 1973 the remaining windows were dedicated and named the Chapel of the Shepherds. Suitable plaques, engraved with the names and the dates of their times of service in the parish, of all of the former rectors were mounted in the chapel. After serving 18 years as rector, Rev. Morris retired in 1988.
In October, 1989, Rev. Anne C. Seddon became rector of Good Shepherd. She served the church until June, 1997.
Around 1998, as it was no longer being used for the Reverend of the church and their family, the rectory was converted to the Good Stuff Thrift Shop. With donations from the parish and community, the shop provides a great variety of items (clothes, household goods, books, Christmas, etc.) at great prices. The income from the shop helps support Good Shepherd as well as programs for the community.
October 4, 1998, Rev. Ballard Dorsee came to Good Shepherd as the rector. He remained the rector until his unexpected death March 28, 2016. “We shall be at a loss without him, but his merry and hearty laugh (and joy) shall continue to ring in our hearts always.”
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In 2019, the United Way constructed and planted a community garden (raised beds) in the area behind The Good Stuff Thrift Shop. With the help of volunteers to plant and maintain the gardens, fresh vegetables are available free to the community.
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As has been part of the history of the Church of the Good Shepherd, this lay-oriented parish has stepped up to provide leadership and spiritual guidance to fill the gaps between full-time rectors. In January, 2020, the Rev. Canon John G. Hartnett, became a long-term supply priest for Good Shepherd. Arriving just before the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home orders that came with it, Rev. Hartnett’s knowledge of technology and desire to provide spiritual support for the congregation allowed the church to continue its worship online. Cathy Woade, Jr. Warden at the time acknowledged the contribution of the parish during this difficult time. “Thank you ALL for your help, devotion and willingness to try different ways to come together as a parish and continue our worship. We are so fortunate to have Rev. Hartnett's wisdom and guidance in these uncharted times. God bless you all!”
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March 16, 2020 -
It was determined no in-person services would be held for the foreseeable future.
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​March 29, 2020 -
With only one Sunday service missed, Rev. Hartnett provides an online Zoom live-stream service. This becomes the new normal for months.
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April 26, 2020 -​
Online bible study starts.
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November 29, 2020 -​
In-person services begin once again, while still providing the Zoom service option.
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Continuing the support for the community, April 16, 2022 brought the grand opening of the “Little Free Pantry at the Church of the Good Shepherd”. In the time it’s been open, it’s been going strong, visited a lot by both those in need and by those donating much needed items. The generosity of the parish and community has allowed Good Shepherd to provide a needed community asset.
This opportunity allows for our community to assist our neighbors by providing non-perishable food and personal items to other community members. It is available for anyone in need, or anyone who has a little extra to give. The Pantry belongs to the entire community - you don't need to be affiliated with the church to donate or take items. Located at the back of the Good Shepherd church, it's available 24 hours a day.
Immanuel St. James Church
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In September 2023, with the difficulties COVID brought, the long-standing Immanuel St. James Episcopal Church of Derby and the Church of the Good Shepherd decided to begin the process to merge their congregations into one.
In October 2024 the merger was approved at the “Episcopal Church in Connecticut's 240th Annual Convention”. The Parish is now known as Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and Immanuel St. James Chapel and worship at the Good Shepherd location in Shelton. To help the churches through this process, The Rev. Dr. Kevin O. Olds joined the parish. With the decline of church attendance throughout the U.S. across all denominations, especially post-pandemic, it is with great hope that with this merger, their once-again intertwined history, and the continued growth throughout Shelton and the surrounding communities, that this change will create a stronger, more connected community.
