The current phase of Good Shepherd's history began in 1997, when the Reverend Patricia Downing joined us as our fifth Rector. Her tenure has been marked by growth in membership and programs, and a successful campaign to expand and renovate our 43-year-old building.

Completed in 2002, the renovation provides a spacious sanctuary and narthex, nursery and toddler room, handicap-accessible restrooms, robing room, elevator, choir room, children's chapel, and Sunday school rooms. We are excited about this expansion of our ministry and invite you to come worship with us.

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church came into being on March 3, 1957, as a mission guided by a chapel committee. Fifty people assembled at Northwood High School, across the street from where the church is now located, to worship God in a morning prayer service. A survey by the Reverend Philip H. Robb, under the auspices of the Very Reverend Angus Dunn, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, had indicated a need for a chapel in the Northwood High School neighborhood of Silver Spring

Plans moved along quickly, including the formation of a Sunday school, altar guild, and choir. By Thanksgiving Day 1957, the congregation held a service outdoors on the future site of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. On November 29, 1959, the first service was held in the long-awaited building that had been constructed by the Diocese of Washington. The new Good Shepherd chapel had a seating capacity of 160 with Sunday school facilities in the undercroft.

Reverend Richard B. Faxon

The Reverend Richard B. Faxon served as vicar from 1957 to October 1964. When Good Shepherd was given parish status by the Very Reverend William Creighton, Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, the Reverend Alexander Livesay was chosen to be the first Rector. Mr. Livesay retired in 1967, and the Reverend Andrew M. Keady was called and remained until February 1972.

During these early years, the parish was remodeled and an extension was constructed, adding a sacristy, Rector's study, church office, and Sunday nursery. In 1964, a nursery school was established in the undercroft to serve the parish and the community. This school is still in operation. In 1971, the parish organized the Fig Tree, a consignment craft shop, housed in a trailer on the church grounds. This is also still operating, even though it has suffered two major fires that burned it down.

Reverend Alexander Livesay

Reverend John D. Chamblin

In 1972, the Reverend John D. Chamblin was called as our third Rector. He served until his retirement on October 15, 1989. During his tenure, several improvements were made to the facility. In 1975, a multipurpose room and a small meeting room named for St. Francis were added to the back of the building. A columbarium was built in the St. Francis room in 1979. In 1988, a pipe organ was purchased and combined with the existing Good Shepherd organ to greatly extend the range and volume of the instrument. Mr. Chamblin also served as a parish supervisor for two seminarians, who were eventually ordained to the priesthood.

New programs were begun under Mr. Chamblin's tenure. In 1980, the parish adopted a Cambodian refugee family and helped it get established in the United States. In 1984, using some funds from Montgomery County and a special gift from a parishioner, the parish founded and operated a group home for senior citizens called Shepherd House. This program was discontinued after three years because the house in which the group home was located was put up for sale by the owners, and the parish did not feel we could take on the financial burden of purchasing the house. Also, other options for seniors had opened up.

It was difficult for us to bid farewell to the Reverend Chamblin, who had been our Rector for 17 years. However, the parish was ably led by the Reverend Linda Poindexter, who served as interim Priest-in-Charge until a new Rector could be called. After an extensive search, the Reverend Doctor Douglas Simmons was called in 1991.

The Reverend Simmons introduced a regular healing ministry to Good Shepherd that continues today. On the first Sunday of every month, prayers for healing are offered during the services. Like Mr. Chamblin before him, Mr. Simmons served as a parish supervisor for two seminarians, who were also ordained. In May 1995, Mr. Simmons resigned to accept a call in Arkansas. Once again, Good Shepherd had to initiate the time-consuming search process.

Reverend Doctor Douglas Simmons

Two interims served as Priest-in-Charge while the search process was going forward: the Reverend Canon Ronald Swanson and the Reverend Carolyn Lundelius.