The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd - An Historical Perspective
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is one of two Lutheran Church Missions in Eau Claire developed in the 1950’s. In 1953, land was purchased on Cedar Street, on Eau Claire’s west side, and construction began.

The first service was held on May 15, 1955 in the “original church”, which later became renovated for Sunday school rooms. 445 charter members had Good Shepherd self-supporting by that fall - a record achievement for this west-side church. Dr. E.M. Hegge was installed as the “official pastor” on November 27, 1955.

The story of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd has been a continuation of that growth in ministry. In January 1959 a new educational wing was dedicated. In April of 1970 the “current church” was dedicated, as Good Shepherd entered a new era with this beautiful new sanctuary. By the beginning of 1971 the church had grown to 1,719 baptized members, a growth curve that attracted national attention.

In September of 1998, land was purchased in order to build a retirement home under the auspices of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Foundation. In October of 2001 the Good Shepherd Senior Apartments were dedicated and a new ministry was born. In January of 2005 the most recent remodeling and expansion project of the church was celebrated.

For more than half a century - The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd has been growing and serving on Eau Claire’s west side.

We hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him; in worship and witness, in prayer and discernment, in teaching and learning, in service and outreach and in celebration.