Good Shepherd Episcopal Church celebrates 140 years
Pictured are stained glass windows from inside Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Ogden. The church is celebrating its 140th anniversary.
This historical drawing shows Good Shepherd Episcopal Church before it was surrounded by other structures in the Ogden area.
Light shines through a stain glass window at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden, Utah, Tuesday, September 20, 2005. (Alan Murray/Standard-Examiner)
Rev. Adam S. Linton walks down the aisle of the historic portion of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden, Utah, Tuesday, September 20, 2005. Linton hopes to expand his facility already insufficient for a growing congregation by purchasing a portion of the old Ogden City Mall site. (Alan Murray/Standard-Examiner)
The Rev. Canon Scott Hayashi with the Diocese of Chicago meets with people at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Thursday, May 6, 2010. Four bishop candidates for the Episcopal Diocese of Utah visited the church. There have been only 10 Utah bishops since 1867. (Erin Hooley/Standard-Examiner)
(JaNAE FRANCIS, Standard-Examiner) looking inside the chapel of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, evidence of a need for restoration cannot be seen.
(JaNAE FRANCIS, Standard-Examiner) This stained class window inside The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd demonstrates the need for a solid foundation in a church building.
OGDEN – The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd has much to celebrate this year.
Not only is this the church’s 140th anniversary in Ogden, but the church also has recently renovated its outside and added a Latino Chapel so church services may run at the same time in both English and Spanish, making it easier for both congregations to worship and mingle together on Sundays.
An anniversary celebration is planned for Sept. 6 at the church, located at 2374 Grant Avenue.
Tours will run throughout the day starting at 11 a.m. and every half hour until 12:30 p.m. A dinner will be held that evening starting at 6 p.m. with appetizers and drinks in the courtyard. A dinner will be held inside at 7 p.m. followed by music and dancing. The cost to participate is $35.
Diane Bunton, who oversees communications for the church, said the community is welcome and invited to tour the church, which is believed to be the oldest building in continuous use in the city – built in 1874.
“We have been very committed to being a part of downtown Ogden. Our overall history shows our commitment to the restoration and being a force for good for downtown,” Bunton said.
She added that Ogden also has given the church immense support over the years and that the relationship is a good one. “We have had opportunities to change locations, but we have always wanted to stay where we are because we love downtown,” she said.
Earlier this year an outside renovation was completed with plaster and stonework restoration along with cleaning the stained glass that adorns the building.
“Because it is on the National Historic Register, there were several special things we had to do,” Bunton said. When work was being done on Ogden High School one of the architects visited the church to offer advice and tips that were used to make the restoration complete on the church, she said.
Having the Latino services now coincide with English services, she said, also has been wonderful for the church because now all the children can attend Sunday School together and both groups can enjoy fellowship time together after services.
“This is a really big thing for us and we are so excited,” Bunton said. “We have a lot to celebrate.”
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd got its start in 1874, but its roots run even deeper.
James Lee Gillogly came to Ogden in 1870 as minister of the church and first held services in the waiting room of the railroad depot, said the history of the church. For a time, he and his wife lived in an unused freight car.
In the winter of 1871, the Gilloglys purchased land on the corner where the church stands now for $1,500 with money given by John D. Wolfe of New York City. Later, a 515-pound bell was gifted to the church and it was first rung in January of 1874.
The cornerstone of the church was laid in April of 1874 and stone to build the church was donated by John W. Hamersley, also of New York, said the history. The relics and documents are still inside the building today.
Stained glass windows were added in 1948, which depict Christ, the Good Shepherd, Saint Luke, Ruth, Saint John, Mary and Martha, Christ and the children, Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Peter and the Resurrection.
Community groups also have used the church including the Head Start Program, Migrant Council and Alcoholics Anonymous. Bunton said the church loves sharing its building with the community.
In 2010 an educational center was opened including classrooms, offices and a nursery.
For tickets to the dinner celebration or any other question regarding the celebration, call the church office at 801-392-8168.