Pastor Steven W. Carlson was called to be the Mission Developer in Marshfield, Wisconsin by the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Synod of the Lutheran Church in America on June 2, 1982. Pastor Steve and his family moved to Marshfield and resided at 100 North Adams. (Their home served as the church office for five years.) To plant the seed of God’s mission, Pastor Steve literally went door-to-door telling people about the new church which had been named Good Shepherd. Ads were place in the Marshfield News Herald announcing the new church and counting down the days until the first worship service. On November 14, 1982, the first worship service was held at Grant Elementary School Gymnasium, 605 West Kalsched.
A charter was signed in February 1983, by 104 confirmed members and 74 children, representing 56 families. (Fingerprints were used for children who could not sign their names.) On October 23, 1983, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was formally organized. (This date is recognized as Good Shepherd’s official birthday.) On December 4, 1983, Pastor Steve was officially called as pastor.
One year later, the Good Shepherd Family had completely outgrown the Grant School gym. On December 4, the congregation moved to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 714 West 14th Street, Marshfield. This was a perfect arrangement. The Seventh Day Adventists worshiped on Tuesdays and Saturdays; Good Shepherd needed worship on Sundays.
The congregation grew rapidly, and a land search was in progress. June 1, 1986 kicked off Good Shepherd’s first fund appeal “Faith In A Seed” and commitment to build. On West McMillan Street 2.8 acres of land were purchased. Outdoor summer worship services were held on the property. On August 16, 1987, Pastor Steve led a car parade up Central Avenue to 307 West McMillan, where groundbreaking ceremonies were held.
Dale Langfoss of Architecture/Environs, Lindsey, Wisconsin, designed the Good Shepherd building. Meco Construction of Marshfield built the building. Russ Burg, Rene Grall, Dick Peters, Jeff Peterson, Ed Raatz, and Linda Schreiber served on the Building Committee. On April 13, 1988, Good Shepherd celebrated Dedication Day with a special worship service, banquet, and community open house.
A second building fund appeal, “Faith Taking Root”, was launched in May 1988.
On December 13, 1988, Pastor Steve announced to the Good Shepherd Family that he had accepted a call in Portland, Oregon. His last worship service at Good Shepherd was February 5, 1989. For the next ten months, Chaplain Dennis Olson, from Saint Joseph’s Hospital, served as supply pastor. On October 15, 1989, Good Shepherd unanimously voted to call Pastor Mark E. Hall. Pastor Mark was installed at Good Shepherd on December 10, 1989. Pastor Mark served at Good Shepherd until August 31, 1995. During his ministry, the congregation established a firm governing structure; held its third capital fund drive, “Faith In Bloom” in 1992; and expanded its music ministry with the addition in 1993 of Phyllis Ann Huber as Music Ministry Director. In 1994, the congregation raised funds to have Freeman Weiher design and construct the beautiful glass window in the sanctuary.
A new chapter unfolded at Good Shepherd when Pastor Peter J. Ruggles accepted the call to ministry and began his service on September 1, 1996. Pastor Peter brought stability and healing to the congregation through acceptance and a purposeful teaching of God’s forgiveness and love. His ministry has seen the congregation through its “teen years” with steadfastness and a sense of humor. His devotion to ministry at Good Shepherd has included revamping of the worship/music ministry structure; a celebratory 20th Anniversary event; and a successful and committed confirmation program.
In 2008, the congregation began a remodeling project which included an addition to the Fellowship Hall; repainting of the interior; some new carpeting; restyling of the Narthex; refurbishing of the “bells”; new siding and windows; bathroom addition; and parking lot repaving and landscaping.
Good Shepherd has found a consistent pattern of worship and community engagement. Outdoor worship has been a long-term feature and has served us well even into Covid 19 summer of 2020. We became debt-free in October of 2018 and have been collecting a separate offering for community programs every month since. We call it the “pass-around” offering. We are looking forward to the end of Covid-19 restrictions to apply what we have learned about digital worship and the encouragement of personal sacrifice for community service as worship.
Pastor Peter retired in spring 2021. On July 1, 2021, Interim Pastor Steve Rutter began ministering at Good Shepherd. Pastor Katie Anderson was called and started on June 15, 2022.
Timeline
June 2, 1982 Pastor Steven W. Carlson was called to be the Mission Developer in Marshfield, WI by the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Synod of the Lutheran Church in America.
November 14, 1982 The first worship service was held at Grant Elementary School Gymnasium, 605 W. Kalsched.
February 1983 A charter was signed in by 104 confirmed members and 74 children, representing 56 families. (Fingerprints were used for children who could not sign their names.)
October 23, 1983 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was formally organized. (This date is recognized as Good Shepherd’s official birthday.)
December 4, 1983 Pastor Steve was officially called as pastor.
December 4, 1984 The congregation moved to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 714 W. 14th, Marshfield. (The Good Shepherd Family had completely outgrown the Grant School gym.)
June 1, 1986 Kicked off Good Shepherd’s first fund appeal (“Faith In A Seed”) and commitment to build. 2.8 acres of land were purchased on W. McMillan Street. Outdoor summer worship services were held on the property.
August 16, 1987 Pastor Steve led a car parade up Central Avenue to 307 W. McMillan, where groundbreaking ceremonies were held.
April 13, 1988 Good Shepherd celebrated Dedication Day with a special worship service, banquet, and community open house.
January 1988 The former Lutheran Church in America became the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). They became Good Shepherd’s “parent” in the sense of carrying the building loan.
May 1988 A second building fund appeal, “Faith Taking Root”, was launched.
December 13, 1988 Pastor Steve announced to the Good Shepherd Family that he had accepted a call in Portland, OR.
February 5, 1989 Pastor Steve’s last worship service at Good Shepherd.
October 15, 1989 Good Shepherd unanimously voted to call Pastor Mark E. Hall.
December 10, 1989 Pastor Mark was installed at Good Shepherd.
1992 The third capital fund drive, “Faith In Bloom” is held.
1993 Good Shepherd expanded its music ministry with the addition of Phyllis Ann Huber as Music Ministry Director.
1994 The congregation raised funds to have Freeman Weiher design and construct the beautiful glass window in the sanctuary.
August 31, 1995 Pastor Mark’s last day at Good Shepherd.
September 1, 1996 Pastor Peter J. Ruggles, who had accepted our call to ministry, began his service.
October 23, 2003 Good Shepherd celebrates its 20th birthday with special worship services, party, and open house.
2008 The congregation began a remodeling project which included a new entrance and addition to the Fellowship Hall; repainting of the interior; new carpeting throughout (not the sanctuary); restyling of the Narthex; refurbishing of the “bells”; new siding and windows; bathroom addition; and parking lot repaving and landscaping.
Spring 2021 Pastor Peter retired.
July 1, 2021 Interim Pastor Steve Rutter served through May 2022.
June 15, 2022 Pastor Katie Anderson started.
June 26, 2022 Pastor Katie Anderson officially installed.