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.

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.

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.

Concordia Lutheran Mission held its first service at the school in September of 1950

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.

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.