Have you ever wondered about a church rising from the ashes of war? This is the story of The Church of the Good Shepherd. It stands on Handen Road in Lee. This is in South East London. The Church of the Good Shepherd has a unique history. It embodies community spirit and resilience.
Originally, the area was served by St Margaret’s. The population grew with the railways. Several new parishes were formed. The Church of the Good Shepherd was established in 1881. Lord Northbrook provided much of the initial funding. It was intended as a chapel of ease. This meant it was a subsidiary chapel to St Margaret’s. Reverend F H Law wanted it to be accessible to all. He wanted the poor not to be crowded out.
Ernest Newton designed the church. He also designed other local buildings. Maides and Harper built the church. They were known for high-quality workmanship. F H Hart described it as a plain and substantial structure. It was made of red brick with a tiled roof. The interior was open and filled with light.
Tragedy struck during the Blitz in 1941. An incendiary bomb hit The Church of the Good Shepherd. The Luftwaffe likely mistook it for the nearby docks. Firefighting resources were focused on saving food supplies. The church blazed into ruins. Reverend J B Phillips and his community watched helplessly.
Despite the devastation, the parish continued. They used the parish hall built in 1892. Other parishes donated items. These included an altar cross, candlesticks, and pews. Some items came from other churches lost in the Blitz. For a time, they used Holy Trinity’s church hall for Sunday School.
Many churches destroyed in the war never recovered. The Church of the Good Shepherd persevered. Post-war shortages delayed rebuilding. It took seventeen years. The new church was reconsecrated in 1957. The rebuilding used old foundations and portions of the original walls. This paid homage to Ernest Newton’s designs.
Today, The Church of the Good Shepherd is more than just a building. It is a thriving church community. All are welcome to grow in faith. It is part of the Inclusive Church network. This means it does not discriminate. It welcomes all people in the name of Jesus Christ.
The church offers various services. There are Sunday morning services at 10:30 a.m.. These services are informal. Communion is offered most weeks. Children’s Church groups are available for ages 4 to 11. A crèche room is available for pre-school children. Coffee and refreshments are served after services. Once every six weeks, there is an all-age service. Music is led by musicians and singers. Prayer for healing is offered on the last Sunday of each month. You can even participate via Zoom.
The Good Shepherd is a center for worship. St Peter’s Hall is a center for community work. They also run a foodbank for vulnerable migrants. The Church of the Good Shepherd stands as a testament to faith. It shows community and rebirth.