A History of the Church of the Good Shepherd

CHAPTER ONE: In the Beginning

" ... through the unwearied exertions of the sound and judicious zeal ... " --The Rev. Dr. Frederick Dalcho

The Church of the Good Shepherd lifts its heaven-pointing spire high above gothic windows and bold turrets on Blanding Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. The old brick Episcopal edifice has stood there, a bulwark of religion, since the turn of the century when the quiet thoroughfare was in the fashionable heart of the city.

However, this house of worship was not always on Blanding Street amid formidable residences with wide verandas and polished brass. In the early nineteenth century Columbia Episcopalians worshipped at the very beautiful Trinity Church across Sumter Street from South Carolina's Capitol building. But in 1858 because of a need to serve Episcopalians in the northeast section of the city , Christ Church, a large and handsome edifice of gothic structure and form, was organized and erected on the corner of two attractive streets, Blanding and Marion. Shaded by luxuriant oaks and elms, Christ Church presented an inviting appearance and was ranked as one of the most beautiful places of worship to be found in the state. However, after only seven years of outward prosperity as well as gratifying evidences of spiritual life and energy, this elegant building was reduced to ashes in February 1865 by Sherman's intruding army. Christ Church was gone, but its spirit and purpose was to be re-embodied a generation later in the Church of the Good Shepherd.

While Trinity Church with its deep roots and distinct traditions encompassed people of means or at least a comfortable portion of worldly goods, there continued to exist in the northeast section of the city a community composed of worthy people of limited resources -- machinists, mechanics and other railroad employees -- persons ready to receive the message of the Gospel and respond to it.

Because of the social prestige of Trinity and its remoteness to the area, it was then thought that this community could best be served by a church within ready access — drawing its congregation from the ranks of humble men.

In the latter part of 1882 the Rev. Harvey Orrin Judd, assistant rector of Trinity Church and a most capable, zealous and faithful worker, conceived a plan to hold cottage services and lectures in various private homes of the neighborhood. He intended to divide his time and attention between the thriving parish of Trinity Church and this invisible congregation of unknown men and women.

Inspired with courage and zeal, this tall slender man halfway through his middle years worked diligently filling the homes with an ever growing congregation. Attendance was good, interest manifest. A Sunday School was organized under the leadership of Miss Kate Hampton, Miss Lucy Pride Green, Mrs. Peter B. Glass and other devoted women from Trinity Church; Colonel George Russell Talcott, a dedicated layman, became superintendent. The Trinity congregation rallied to go forth in the name of the Lord to carry the Gospel to their neighbors in the northeast section of Columbia. Enrollment in the Sunday School increased rapidly and soon the small cottages became inadequate and meetings were held at the Columbia Male Academy, a school for boys located one block west on land donated by John Taylor, one of Columbia's first families.

At this time an Industrial School for women and girls was established in the neighborhood. This proved immensely successful and by the close of 1883 there were twenty-three scholars, having increased from an average attendance in the beginning of only six. Workers associated with the first few years of the school's history were Mrs. John E. Bacon, Mrs. Mary Norton and Mrs. J. S. Coles who were succeeded by Miss Lucy P. Green, Mrs. John B. Palmer and Mrs. R. A. Southgate. Subsequently, the school passed into the hands of Sister Marianna (Miss Anna Fickling) under whose management it continued until 1889.

The cottage services, the Sunday School and the Industrial School working in harmony had produced such marked results that toward the end of 1882 the need for a central church building became evident. A lot on Barnwell Street between Richland and Lumber (now Calhoun Street) was granted by a number of heirs in perpetuity by the former owner, Colonel Thomas Taylor , with the stipulation that the adjacent Taylor Burying Ground receive oversight and care by the church authorities. The tiny cemetery remains today — a monument to the family who granted land to the Church of the Good Shepherd and who had also given, in 1786, two square miles on the east bank of the Congaree River for the capital city, Columbia.

The design of the church building and the supervision of construction as well as the scheme for raising the necessary funds were to be under the care of Colonel Talcott. The Columbia, Charlotte and Augusta Railroad Company, along with a few individuals, contributed chiefly toward the erection of the church. In the spring of 1883 the Rt. Rev. William Bell White Howe, Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Judd laid the cornerstone. Today, this cornerstone rests upon a shelf in the church parlor of the present building on Blanding Street in downtown Columbia. During the summer of 1883 the superstructure of the building was added.

For most of 1883 and 1884 the Rev. Mr. Judd served this congregation, ministering to their divers needs through personal service and sincerity of heart, but toward the close of 1884 Mr. Judd returned fulltime to Trinity Church becoming rector in 1886 following the death of the Rev. Peter J. Shand. A plaque on the wall of the sanctuary of the present church commemorates the Rev. Harvey Orrin Judd as founder of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

From November 1884 until May 1885 the Rev. Dr. Israel Foote, of Rochester, New York had charge of the infant church. During this period the Rev. Dr. Foote greatly advanced both the spiritual and material interests of the parish. He began earnest pastoral work among his people. The congregation increased; an excellent choir was organized. By his influence he was able to secure valuable assistance from abroad toward the completion of the chapel. In May 1885 the Chapel of the Good Shepherd was completed and furnished with grace and simplicity. Full Sunday services were then celebrated with the Sunday School and the Industrial School in successful operation. Devoted communicants from Trinity rendered most valuable assistance. The music of the chapel was under the management of an accomplished musician and most devoted churchwoman, a Mrs. Schott, who gave earnest and self-sacrificing service in the early development of this mission work.

On October 1, 1885 a young man, destined to do great things promoting mission churches in the outlying areas of South Carolina walked with quickening step toward the tiny chapel. He stood for a moment looking at the simple gray structure, the gothic windows, the white picket fence. Then, with hat in hand he walked through the gates, up the wooden steps and entered the church. Alexander Robert Mitchell, ordained to the diaconate ten days earlier, September 20, 1885, had just been appointed vicar of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.