History of Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was originally built in 1951. An addition was made in 1997 to accommodate a growing congregation. Before our church was made there was Pastor Gustav Poetzsch who served St. Matthew’s, Spruce Grove and Immanuel, Rosenthal from 1915 until 1935. He was approached by members of the Rosenthal church to establish a congregation in the town of Stony Plain. Pastor Poetzsch agreed and began conducting Bible studies and worship services in the homes of member families shortly before he left the parish in 1935. Pastor Julius Bergbusch (1936) continued the work in Stony Plain. Soon attendance increased and it soon became necessary to seek larger worship facilities. A deal was struck with the United Church in Stony Plain whereby the fledgling Lutheran congregation could use the United Church’s facilities for the sum of $1.50 per Sunday. When the desire of having a place of their own the congregation became a legally constituted entity. On March 20, 1938 the meeting was held under the leadership of Pastor Bergbusch and the name, “Evangelische Lutherische Gemeinde zum Guten Hirten” (The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd) was chosen with a church council elected. It became formally incorporated on May 8, 1938 with a charter membership of 14 families. At the same time the congregation negotiated the purchase of property on 52nd avenue owned by Christian Barth for the sum of $265.00. Mr. Barth, who was using the building as a cabinetmaking shop, had originally bought the property from the St. Oswald’s Anglican Church. The building which was originally dedicated as a house of worship, was once more to be used for that purpose. Many people and churches donated time, skills, money and furnishings. Untold hours of labor were given by the members in an effort to make the little church a fit place of worship. The new congregation became the third church in a three-point parish consisting of St. Matthew’s, Immanuel and Good Shepherd.
German remained the main “church” language until 1947 when Pastor Bergbusch voiced (and council agreed upon) conducting three worship services a month in English, as well as confirmation instruction. The following year (1948) a possibility of a new and larger church was discussed to accommodate the growing congregation. A committee was made in 1949 to look into what it would take. The exceptional leadership qualities of Pastor Bergbusch was recognized and appreciated, not only from Good Shepherd, but from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Western Canada and he was elected as their new president. Next to serve our church was Pastor Wilke, who was the first Canadian-born and Canadian-educated pastor to serve the congregation. He continued with the decision to make room for the growing church and after much planning, budgeting and discussion construction began in the spring of 1951. Among the contractors were 30 men and women from Good Shepherd’s congregation that donated their time to help build. Pastor Wilke attended numerous meetings and appointments and spent many late hours to get everything in order and keep it all going. The old building was bought by United Church and moved to Holborn district until June of 1967 when the Holborn congregation merged with Stony Plain United.
The ministry of Good Shepherd in the years following the building of the new church focused on nurturing the members through worship, administration of sacraments, study and fellowship. Many pastors have lovingly served the Good Shepherd congregation and their history and pictures can be found inside the Church History book within the church.
In the spring of 1989 another addition made way and was described as “a joy to witness the dedication and devotion of all the congregation.” Everyone helped with what they could, even elderly ladies by keeping the workers fed with cookies and goodies to keep their spirits up. However in 1992 funds were depleted and the decision was made to leave the basement unfinished. In the spring of 1997 someone had found wallboard for little cost. Then someone donated flooring, and soon enough the entire basement was completed by the Lord’s provision and people’s willingness to help. With the heart of the congregations being centered on Christ through all of these years, the church of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was made and kept by “faith and love in action.”