Historically speaking, the origin of Good Shepherd American Lutheran Church is closely related to that of Christ Lutheran Church now located at 5356 N. Hillside .
In the Spring of 1954 a committee from Christ Lutheran Church studied the possibility of holding services in the South Wichita area. Easter Sunrise services were already held jointly at the Rainbow Drive-in Theater by this National Lutheran Council Churches of Wichita . It was determined by Christ Lutheran to continue these services during the summer months.
In June, Vicar and Mrs. Merrill Clark (later missionaries in New Guinea ), came to Wichita to serve in a canvassing ministry in the south side area. The Drive-in theater services coupled with the canvassing efforts culminated in the organization of Good Shepherd American Lutheran Church . It was to be located 8.5 miles southwest of Christ Lutheran. On November 21, 1954 Christ Lutheran Church transferred 37 baptized members and 18 confirmed members to its sister congregation, Good Shepherd Church as the official organization took form. There were 29 charter members at the onset who met at South Riverside School under the leadership of Pastor Busse, serving in supplement to his pastorate at Christ Lutheran until the arrival of Pastor Arthur Schardt who was installed in September of 1955. The new congregation approved ?Good Shepherd? as the official designation of their congregation and formulated a constitution. A council was elected with Jack Kester as president, Vito Petruzzelli as secretary, Dale Helmer as treasurer, M.M. Harbarger as Sunday School Superintendent, Ollie Gray and Fred Henschel as elders, Edwin DeBuhr and Ronald Dubro as deacons.
In April of 1955 the present tract of five acres was purchased as a permanent site for our church building after the congregation became the recipient of the 87th Package Mission Loan from the American Lutheran Church . A note of interest is that Christ Lutheran Church was the first Package Mission of the American Lutheran Church .
A parsonage was purchased immediately and was conveniently located directly across the street from the land site at 47th St. South and Ellis.
On September 2, 1955 Pastor Arthur E. Schardt accepted a call from Good Shepherd Church and became the first resident pastor. He and his wife, Martha, and their three children, Ronald, Beth and Karen became a part of our community at his installation September 11, 1955 followed by the dedication of the parsonage on September 27 attended by District President of the Central District, Dr. Erwin Fritschel.
The first phase of the building program was initiated with the ground breaking ceremony on August 12, 1956. Due to winter weather and steel shortages, construction wasn?t completed and dedication possible until March 10, 1957. Present at the dedication service were Donald Hollis, architect and A.B. Hungerford, the builder.
Pastor Schardt led the congregation for eight years ministering diligently and faithfully before assuming new duties at Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove , Nebraska .
Pastor Robert L. Haycraft responded to our call in March 1964 and served the congregation until his departure to Salem Lutheran Church in Toledo , Ohio June 1969. During Pastor Haycraft?s first six months a 10-year celebration was planned to the glory of God and in honor of Good Shepherd Church which had grown from 29 charter members to include 241 baptized members and 137 confirmed members. A reference from that celebration stated the ?transiency of the city proved a severe hindrance to development. Nonetheless, the spiritual quality of a people is more important than the quantity of people and in this respect, this congregation is exceptionally gifted in terms of courage, faith and solid spiritual character.? Also, during this span of time, the Good Shepherd emblem was painted on the church sign by church member Charles Sanderson, artist and instructor. The church baptismal font which we use presently was designed by David F. May with workmanship by Jack Kester. The font was consecrated July 26, 1964.
Summer of 1964 saw plans materialize for building of fellowship hall, kitchen facilities and class rooms. The planning committee on this project consisted of Henry Ayers, Jack Kester and Don Keller. It was moved to borrow $13,000 to finance the unit. Ground breaking took place one year later and the unit was constructed and dedicated the following January 1966. Air conditioning and a used tractor-mower were added in 1967 as improvements to our facilities. The Pastor recommended our program to the District as a model for future mission congregations in 1968 due to the work and organization shown in putting together a functional fellowship hall and classroom area.
Pastor Richard Hutton and family joined us June of 1969 fresh from seminary in Columbus , Ohio . At the conclusion of the year as the various group reports were delivered for publication, Pastor Hutton wrote, ?The total portrait (of our congregation) is rather inspiring and yet revealing, for in one sense the portrait is expressive of our faith and in another it acknowledges our sinfulness which at times is a lack of concern for others.? He shared the concern that the mission was everyone?s privilege and calling, not just the Pastor and church council. Even though as pastor of our congregation, Pastor Hutton and family were with us the shortest length in years they encouraged involvement with others by getting involved themselves. Pastor Hutton, wife Carolyn and children Stephanie and Hans answered a call to Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fergus Falls , Minnesota in July of 1972.
During the interval between July 1972 and January 1973 the congregation was without a residing pastor. Guest speakers and men and women of the church filled the vacancy until the arrival of Pastor Robert Kloth and family. His has been a frequent reminder over the years that ?from day to day we are surrounded by God?s abundance, and towering above all that which is His daily grace, is Christ.? Our congregation has seen change and risen to meet the challenge with the help of God and the willing hearts and hands of many in the Good Shepherd Congregation.
There have been numerous improvements during the 1978-1979 years. Following sale of the parsonage in 1978, the house mortgage was cleared and remaining church debt reduced. We retained a portion of the money to modernize the church furnishings. Also, a new Conn organ was purchased and installed November 1978. Other projects involved removing the sacristy to provide a larger and better balanced altar area. The mahogany lumber from the sacristy was used to build a large pulpit, the old pulpit was redesigned to form a matching lectern, and the existing altar was removed from the wall and reused as the surface of the new free-standing altar. The cabinets from the sacristy were moved to the rear of the overflow area and storage for paraments, robes and the speaker system were incorporated into one region. These projects were instigated by Ed Wiederstein, property and grounds chairman after vote by the congregation. New carpet and upholstered pews were installed by March of 1979.
Change saw Good Shepherd Church purchase 159 copies of the new Lutheran Book of Worship and began using it in May 1979. About this same period of time we began having two services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
The year 1980 brough the opportunity for Good Shepherd to begin the Crossways Bible Studay. Pastor Kloth and Stan Lemke were to Eureka , Missouri for one week of training. The program meant a commitment for one year., Ten of use completed the program. Crossways was a learning experience and growth in God?s word.
A storage building was erected and sidewalks were installed in 1981. The annual Hog Roast was begun and has been a successful event over the year.
The Young-At-Heart complied a cookbook, Good Food, Good Fellowship, Good Shepherd, with recipes from members of the congregation. A new Kimball Studio Piano, which was donated to the church, w7as dedicated in October of 1982.
Good Shepherd has been blessed with generous members who have donated many necessary items, such as new choir robes, tractor mower and a public address system. Several gifts have also been received through memorial funds. In 1984 we installed new heating and air-conditioning and the back 1 ½ acres were sold to C.P.I. Corporation.
The congregation voted to merge and become a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . In 1987 we also burned the mortgage for the church. A building committee was then appointed to derive a plan for improving the facilities.
Pastor Kloth and Sylvia Herheim went to St. Louis for a week?s training in Stephans Ministry . The ministry was begun at Good Shepherd with seven members completing the required fifty hours of training. This training qualified these members to be placed in caring relationahips.
The new addition to our church, built by Evan?s Construction, was completed in December 1992 at a cost of $272,191.00. The addition added 6510 square feet which made a total of 10,741 square feet. The Sanctuary and overflow area will now seat 250. Dedication was April 4, 1993 with Pastor Gordon Peterson as our guest speaker.
Our new facility is being used by the Girl Scouts and our Senior Citizens group. We pray with God?s help to reach out in many ways to the people, both inside and outside of the church family.
Our congregation began through the witness of others 39 years ago. In our midst we are fortunate to commune with two of the original charter members, Mr and Mrs. Fred Henschel. They are an important part of Good Shepherd?s history along with the changes and improvement from our more recent past. By the grace of God and with the help of dedicated members Good Shepherd Church will continue to thrive as the years ahead become history.
