Good Shepherd Baptist Church

February 14th, 1954. A date etched in the heart of Frederick, Maryland. This is the story of Good Shepherd Baptist Church. The congregation, formally organized on that Valentine’s Day, adopted the name “Good Shepherd”. They initially held services in the Staley Park Field House. But the seeds of this community were sown even earlier. In September 1953, the first service echoed through the halls of Hood College, drawing an impressive 322 attendees. Even before that, in June 1953, the Board of American Missions approved a church for northwestern Frederick. Carroll L. Boyer was called as the mission developer. A parsonage on Biggs Avenue became the first physical anchor of the future Good Shepherd. In 1955, the budding congregation acquired a building on Motter Avenue. Sunday school, a cornerstone of community life, was hosted in the warmth of three family homes. The dream of a permanent home took shape in 1957 with the groundbreaking on West Seventh Street. The culmination of years of faith and hard work arrived in September 1958 with the dedication of their church. Good Shepherd continued to grow and evolve. A kindergarten and preschool, signs of a thriving community, began in 1961. Financial independence was achieved in 1969. The Mission Board loan was repaid and the parsonage sold. A challenging chapter unfolded in 1973 with a major fire, tragically set by arson. The church faced another devastating arson fire in 1982. Despite these setbacks, the spirit of Good Shepherd remained unbroken. A series of pastoral transitions marked the following years. Dr. Henry Snyder served as interim pastor in 1983. Pastor LaVern D. Rasmussen was called in 1984, joined by Associate Pastor Bruce Barth in 1988. Both retired in 1993, making way for Pastor Robert Ruble to serve as interim. The music of worship soared to new heights in 1991 with the dedication of a new pipe organ and a remodeled worship space, a testament to the congregation’s ongoing commitment to enriching their spiritual life. Pastor Ron Reaves, called in 1994, shepherded the flock for almost two decades, retiring in 2012. A joyous milestone was reached in April 2012. The mortgage was finally paid off, securing the church’s future. Good Shepherd has consistently welcomed new spiritual leaders. Pastor Dave Simpson, the current pastor, was installed in January 2020. The church continues to serve as a beacon of faith in Frederick, a testament to the vision of those 322 souls who gathered at Hood College over seventy years ago.