Beneath the surface of this welcoming church community lies a story of faith, resilience, and service. The Good Shepherd stands as a beacon of hope in Tower Hamlets. Its roots stretch back to 1856.
The Good Shepherd’s story began with a simple act. Teachers from St Andrew’s Church wanted to keep their Sunday School alive. A workshop became their classroom. It was in December 1856 that their work became known as “The Good Shepherd School”. The school moved several times. Finally, in 1866, a new school was built on Mape Street. A day school was also established.
The Great Eastern Railway needed the land. This led to a move to Three Colts Lane. In 1872, a new school opened on this present site. The memorial stone declared it was built “to the glory of God and for the welfare of this neighbourhood”. This phrase still guides The Good Shepherd today.
In 1873, the day school was transferred. From then until 1932, the building focused on spiritual work. Children’s Christian services were popular. The annual report of 1897 mentioned that over 150 children attended Monday evenings.
The building expanded in 1934. The Good Shepherd amalgamated with other missions. These included the King Edward Institution, George Yard Mission, and Darby Street Mission. The roles of these missions changed with the times.
During World War Two, The Good Shepherd continued its work. It offered shelter to those made homeless by air raids. The borough council even asked it to supervise air raid shelters. New activities began, including the Girls’ Life Brigade and Cadets. There was also a Boys’ Brigade and Life Boys.
Sharing the Christian faith and helping those in need continued after the war. The 1958-59 annual report described the women’s meeting. Women looked forward to fellowship.
Young people’s meetings and summer camps continued into the 1970s. Re-housing caused some members to leave. The Grenfell family, who led the work, moved away. The work temporarily stopped.
Ronald Willcox from the Shaftesbury Society saw potential. He wanted to start a new work among young people. In 1980, volunteers opened a youth club. A girls club followed. A junior club for 7-11 year olds started in 1986.
Vincent Buchanan became the full-time leader in 1982. Despite opposition, some young people came to trust in Jesus. A Sunday afternoon meeting started. It included Bible Study, praise, and fellowship.
In 1989, the Sunday meeting moved to Sunday morning. The church fellowship grew. They moved from an upstairs room to the main hall.
The Good Shepherd Mission became a registered charity in 1995. In 1996, ownership of the building transferred to the charity. A Church Leadership Team formed in 1997. They wanted to provide greater accountability.
A unified leadership body was established in 2008. It oversaw all aspects of the Mission’s work.
Today, The Good Shepherd runs many activities. These include early years programmes and children’s clubs. There are also youth clubs for boys and girls. They work with young people at risk. Since 2008, they have worked with vulnerable adults. This includes a winter night shelter with other churches.
The building has been modernised since the 1980s. Funds have been raised to make it welcoming and accessible.
The Good Shepherd continues to seek opportunities to serve its local community. If you are isolated or need support, they want to hear from you.
The Good Shepherd stands as a testament to unwavering faith. It embodies community spirit and a dedication to service. As you stand here, consider the countless lives touched. The Good Shepherd continues to offer hope. It provides fellowship and practical support. The Good Shepherd truly lives up to its name.