Church of the Good Shepherd

Hidden within San Diego’s northern communities, the Church of the Good Shepherd has a story to tell. In 1970, Bishop Leo T. Maher recognized the burgeoning growth of Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos, and Scripps Ranch. He established the Church of the Good Shepherd to serve these communities. The first Mass was held on June 14, 1970, in the Rancho Penasquitos Shopping Center. Imagine the parishioners gathering, their voices echoing with hymns in the unlikely setting of a shopping center. The church’s journey began humbly. Homes were purchased to serve as a rectory and temporary chapel. The Daughters of Divine Charity used another home as a convent. They provided religious instruction to the parish children. The community’s vision expanded beyond temporary spaces. Ten acres were purchased for a Church/Multi-Purpose Hall. This building would become the heart of the growing community. This hall seated 600 for Sunday Mass and housed daily Mass, classrooms, and a parish hall. On Christmas Eve 1972, the first Mass was celebrated in the new hall. The community had raised an impressive $300,000 over 40 months. This demonstrated their dedication and generosity. The formal dedication by the Bishop followed on March 25, 1973. The Church of the Good Shepherd continued to evolve. In 1978, more office and storage space was added. A separate building was constructed for the expanding CCD classes. A rectory was built in 1981 to house the three assigned priests. The Good Shepherd School opened its doors in 1982. Staffed by Sisters of Mercy from Ireland and dedicated lay teachers, the school initially served grades one through three. As Rancho Penasquitos and Scripps Ranch established their own parishes, the Good Shepherd community embarked on another ambitious project. By 1984, a new Building Fund Drive aimed to raise funds for the current church building. Over 1,000 families contributed $800,000 in four years. The Diocese of San Diego matched this amount as a loan. Construction of the present church began in January 1988. Many parishioners and organizations contributed to the interior furnishings. The new church could accommodate 1,150 people for each of the six weekend Masses. This served over 3,500 registered families at that time. Since its humble beginnings, the Church of the Good Shepherd has grown to nearly 6,000 registered families. It supports numerous ministries and organizations. A 29,000-square-foot Parish Center was built in 2010 to meet the growing needs. This center houses school offices, meeting rooms, a preschool, and a gymnasium. The Church of the Good Shepherd now holds eight Sunday Mass celebrations each weekend. It serves a diverse community, welcoming all who enter its doors. The church’s journey reflects the dedication and generosity of the community it serves.