The Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Pitman, New Jersey is celebrating its Centennial in 2007!  To acknowledge its 100th anniversary, Good Shepherd has scheduled a yearlong series of special events and activities.  The Church is highly regarded within the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey for its active and vital congregation, as well as for having one of the largest church schools in the region. 

The history of the Church of the Good Shepherd began in 1907, when a group of twenty-three Episcopalians obtained a wooded lot donated by a local land developer.  No houses existed around the site. Therefore, the little wooden sanctuary built among the trees was affectionately called "The Little Church in the Wildwoods."  The cornerstone for the present Gothic Structure built around the original wooden form building was laid on All Saint's Day in 1908.  Good Shepherd became an official mission of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey in that year.  It took two years before a roof was in place on the Church and the frame building on the inside could be torn down.  Good Shepherd remained a mission until 1941.  During that year, the sanctuary was consecrated.  The Parish became truly independent in the year 1948.

During the next twenty years, a parish hall, rectory, and education wing were built.  In the late 1970's and early 1980's, the physical facilities went through a refurbishing program, which continues to this day.  Most recently, our renowned visual icon, the stained glass window at the rear of the sanctuary overlooking Highland Terrace, was completely refurbished and finished with a state of the art protection system so that it will last until our bicentennial.

During 2007, Good Shepherd's Centennial Committee, under the leadership of Reverend Patricia Daniels Pierce, has planned the following activities.  The celebration began on Sunday, January 7th with a Centennial Birthday Party following the 10:00 am service hosted by our Sunday School participants, featuring food, fun, and fellowship for all. Current and former parishioners, as well as new friends, are welcome to join us for these other events: 

Sunday, April 29th - Bishop George Counsell, spiritual leader of the Diocese of New Jersey, declares "Good Shepherd Sunday" and leads a special 10:00 am Holy Eucharist service in honor of our 100th anniversary.

Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 to 11:00 am - The Church will offer a Community Open House, featuring the burial of an anniversary time capsule. 

Wednesday, July 4th - The Church will offer a float in Pitman's Fourth of July Parade.

Sunday, September 16th - To celebrate the beginning of the 2007-2008 Sunday school year, a Barbeque/Pot Luck Luncheon will be offered after the 10:00 am service.

Sunday, October 7th - A Centennial Banquet dinner will be held at Nicolosi's in Woodbury.