Timeline of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

• 1970: A small group of Episcopalians begin meeting at First Christian Church. The Rev. Hume Reeves, administrator at nearby Camp Crucis, serves as priest-in-charge.

• 1972: The Diocese of Dallas recognizes the group as a mission.

• 1974: A historic structure in Acton was purchased and restored to serve as the sanctuary. Fr. Reeves continues to serve as Vicar.

• 1975: The Rev. Michael Merriman was appointed Director of Camp Crucis and Vicar of Good Shepherd. He served there until 1981.

• 1981: Good Shepherd becomes a Parish of the Diocese of Dallas. Official name is The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

• 1982: A Parish Hall was built across the road from the church.

• 1982: The Rev. Charles A. Hough was called to be Rector. The Parish continued to grow. Good Shepherd was cited nationally by the Episcopal Church for its innovative outreach program, known as People Helping People.

• 1988: The Rt. Rev. Clarence C. Pope, assisted by Bishop Davies, dedicated a new church building, built across the road from the historical building, which would now be used as a chapel.

• 1989: Fr. Hough accepts a call to St. Alban’s in Arlington. The Rev. Bradley Barber becomes Rector of Good Shepherd.

• 1992: The Rev. Jarod Foster assumes the duty of Rector. Granbury ISD began to use the upper floor of the Chapel for STARS Academy, a program designed to help students complete their high school education.

• 1998: After Fr. Foster’s retirement, The Rev. Bill Stanford served as Interim for 2 years.

• 2000: The Rev. Edward Kresowaty becomes Rector. During his tenure, the sanctuary was refurbished and a pipe organ obtained. He serves Good Shepherd through 2005.

• 2006: The Rev. Stuart Smith becomes Rector. The Parish worked together as tensions rose between the Diocese and the National Church.

• 2008: After the Diocesan Convention takes the first vote to leave The Episcopal Church, a group of faithful Episcopalians begin to meet to plan for the eventual split. While they continue to attend Good Shepherd, they also meet for Morning Prayer, and they prepare.

• 2009: The Right Rev. Leo Jack Iker leads the Diocese out of the National Church and aligns with The Southern Cone. Later, his group would align with ACNA (Anglican Church of North America), not recognized by the Anglican Communion.

• 2009: On the Sunday following the split, the faithful remnant meets for services at the Concert Hall of the Langdon Center. After a few weeks, they begin meeting at the Wednesday Women’s Club building.

• 2009: The Rev. Frank Reeves, son of the first Vicar, came out of retirement to be our Supply Priest for 6  years. During this period, we-The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd-came to realize that the church is the people, not the building. Services and Outreach continued, as did the lawsuit with the former Episcopalians. 

• 2011: The Seventh Day Adventist Church agreed to let us rent a portion of their building and to let us have Sunday services in their sanctuary.

• 2015: Following Fr. Frank’s retirement on his 72nd birthday, The Rev. Dr. Suzi Robertson came to be our Priest-in-Charge. Our church began to grow again. 

• 2019: Construction is completed on a new building, consecrated by The Right Rev. F. Scott Mayer on September 28, 2019. We get to enjoy the building for 5 months.

• 2020: During the Covid Pandemic, we worshiped in the parking lot, transmitting the service on the radio. Parking Lot Church was challenging, but the parking lot was always full.

• 2021: Dr. Suzi retires. The Very Rev. Doug Travis becomes our Interim Priest. 

• 2022: A Search Committee is formed to find a new rector.