Welcome!
A Little Bit About Church of the Good Shepherd...
In the year 1951 the Bishop of Connecticut, The Right Rev’d Walter H. Gray wanted the Episcopal Church to expand into more communities of Connecticut. The Diocesan Missioner, the Rev’d Donald Greene, knew of several families in Orange - principally Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Henry Thompson - and called them together at 215 Old Tavern Road, the Thompson home, and The Church of the Good Shepherd began.
Refitting the defunct Chapel of the Good Shepherd on Spring Street in the Tyler City section of Orange, a small congregation was assembled. In 1953, the first Rector was called: The Rev’d Adolph Johnson. The congregation grew rapidly and, in 1956 20 acres of land was purchased from Dorothy Pryde and in 1957 the cornerstone was laid. On Palm Sunday 1958, the new building was dedicated. In 1972 Rev. Johnson retired and on Palm Sunday 1974, the Rev’d Robert Edwin Deming began his rectorship. In 1975, construction was begun on an addition, the Sanctuary was refurbished, the Altar Rail was extended the full width of the church, the balcony was completed, and prepared for the Casavant Pipe Organ that was installed in 1984. In 2001, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary. On February 1, 2011, the Rev. Ann Ritonia began her tenure as the Third Rector of Church of the Good Shepherd. Worship that nourishes and sustains our gathered community remains a cornerstone and we continue to welcome all in the name of Jesus Christ!
Meet our Vestry:
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasurer
From the Rector:
You are about to find out what I have discovered since joining church of the Good Shepherd as the Third Rector in February of 2011. It is a remarkable place. We love to worship together, and take care of one another and our community. Church of the Good Shepherd is a place to belong, a place where all are welcome to be nourished at the Lord's table and through a variety of parish offerings. We value children and youth. Our youth group is a safe and welcoming place for middle and high school students to discover how much they they are loved by God. As the only Episcopal Church in Orange, we have had strong ties with the community since our beginning. As you will see in the following pages, we are doing God’s work within our parish family, in the greater Orange community and in the world.
This website describes the many ministry opportunities at Church of the Good Shepherd and other programs and activities that can strengthen your faith, family, navigate the complexities of life and help you build closer relationships with God and neighbor.
We strongly encourage all who are part of our parish family to become actively involved in the life of Church of the Good Shepherd. If you are visiting web site for the first time we hope you will join us!
Peace and Grace,
Ann+
The Rev. Ann M. Ritonia
Rector, Church of the Good Shepherd
rectorofcgs@optonline.net
