Our History
If you look at the Church of the Good Shepherd’s parish list from the year 1958, there were over 140 families, every one of them residing in Wildwood.
There were a lot of Anglicans in this community in its early days! Today, the parish list of the Good Shepherd contains families from all over Calgary, even some out-of towners.
The parish began as an extension of St. Stephen’s church, conducting some of its first services in Spruce Cliff School. On February 27, 1954, the land at Lot 17, Block 2, Plan 2877 H.L. was duly registered with the City of Calgary and construction plans were drawn up. The new church building, at 408 – 38 Street S.W., was dedicated in the fall of 1958 with Canon Archie McMullen as the new minister. The new church quickly reached out to the new community with the organization of a Sunday School, an Alanon group, Women’s, Girls’ and Junior Auxiliaries, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Girl Guide groups.
During the 1960’s, the parish operated a food concession at the Calgary Stampede. “Ye Old Comfortable Pew” enabled the parish to substantially reduce its debt and, at the same time, deepen the faith and fellowship of its members.
The 1970’s brought new challenges and a period of rebuilding. In 1978, the Church celebrated the retirement of all debt with a 20th Anniversary Consecration Service on November 26. Since then the parish has been renovated twice, the last time, in 2004, when offices, new meeting rooms and an expanded Narthex were added. The parish now offers art classes in a new studio and meeting rooms to accommodate many community organizations. Installation of an elevator has allowed barrier-free access to all areas of the building. A permanent labyrinth on the front lawn welcomes all those seeking a path of peace and meditation. See our "Walking the Labyrinth" section for more information.
Newcomers find the parish to be a warm, friendly family, open and welcoming to all – a place where no one feels a stranger for long.
Please visit our Photo section to view the "Historical Photos"!
Parish Priests at the Church of the Good Shepherd 1958– Present
Canon C.A. (Archie) McMullen 1958 to 1965
Rev. R.S.H. (Bob) Greene 1965 - 1972
Rev. A.R. Thomas 1972 to 1973
Rev. E.H. (Hugh) Christmas 1973 - 1974
Rev. Gordon Dixon 1974 to 1980
Rev. Raymond Brassel 1981 to 1996
Rev. Helen Belcher 1997 to 2006
Rev. Kersi Bird 2006 to present
There were a lot of Anglicans in this community in its early days! Today, the parish list of the Good Shepherd contains families from all over Calgary, even some out-of towners.
The parish began as an extension of St. Stephen’s church, conducting some of its first services in Spruce Cliff School. On February 27, 1954, the land at Lot 17, Block 2, Plan 2877 H.L. was duly registered with the City of Calgary and construction plans were drawn up. The new church building, at 408 – 38 Street S.W., was dedicated in the fall of 1958 with Canon Archie McMullen as the new minister. The new church quickly reached out to the new community with the organization of a Sunday School, an Alanon group, Women’s, Girls’ and Junior Auxiliaries, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Girl Guide groups.
During the 1960’s, the parish operated a food concession at the Calgary Stampede. “Ye Old Comfortable Pew” enabled the parish to substantially reduce its debt and, at the same time, deepen the faith and fellowship of its members.
The 1970’s brought new challenges and a period of rebuilding. In 1978, the Church celebrated the retirement of all debt with a 20th Anniversary Consecration Service on November 26. Since then the parish has been renovated twice, the last time, in 2004, when offices, new meeting rooms and an expanded Narthex were added. The parish now offers art classes in a new studio and meeting rooms to accommodate many community organizations. Installation of an elevator has allowed barrier-free access to all areas of the building. A permanent labyrinth on the front lawn welcomes all those seeking a path of peace and meditation. See our "Walking the Labyrinth" section for more information.
Newcomers find the parish to be a warm, friendly family, open and welcoming to all – a place where no one feels a stranger for long.
Please visit our Photo section to view the "Historical Photos"!
Parish Priests at the Church of the Good Shepherd 1958– Present
Canon C.A. (Archie) McMullen 1958 to 1965
Rev. R.S.H. (Bob) Greene 1965 - 1972
Rev. A.R. Thomas 1972 to 1973
Rev. E.H. (Hugh) Christmas 1973 - 1974
Rev. Gordon Dixon 1974 to 1980
Rev. Raymond Brassel 1981 to 1996
Rev. Helen Belcher 1997 to 2006
Rev. Kersi Bird 2006 to present
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