The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
April 2008

Good Shepherd — Ogden

Second oldest congregation in Utah

The Rev. Adam Linton says people in Ogden know the Church of the Good Shepherd as having been on "that corner" for almost 135 years. "That corner" is Grant and 24th Street in downtown Ogden. Farms, old buildings, and a mall have come and gone in the neighborhood since Utah's original bishop, the Rt. Rev. Daniel Tuttle opened the red door of the historic church. Linton says all at Good Shepherd are aware of "what it took to build it," and "what it takes to keep it going and thriving."

As Ogden and northern Utah grew, the population shifted to residential areas and suburban towns throughout Davis and Weber counties. Good Shepherd vestries and communicants always were dedicated to stay downtown as an urban parish. Linton says the decision to stay downtown is not one just in terms of location, but in ministry. The urban outreach has been going for decades.

Bishop Tuttle and others have preached within the walls of Good Shepherd as it is the second oldest church in the diocese.

One of the most visible areas of outreach has been the Youth Impact project. Originally started as an outgrowth of parishioners and friends involved in the Ulster Project, the church-housed program became a safe and friendly place for children growing up in the Good Shepherd neighborhood. The program expanded to become a larger community wide effort with two dozen schools, a number of foundations, and Weber State all being partners. It is now independent of the church. However, parishioners are still very active in supporting Youth Impact. The Diocese also gave the program a grant to help relocate in a larger space.

The church respects its historic roots, but it sees a need to also take the next step in expansion. Church leaders are emphatic that the expansion project does not alter the old chapel, bell, original pulpit and pews. Expansion would create a larger worship space outside the original church walls. The historic chapel would be used for services not requiring hundreds of worshipers.

Additionally, The Church of the Good Shepherd is becoming more of a multigenerational and diverse church. Linton is proud that the congregation reflects the town. The church has recently responded to needs to hold a service in Spanish. He smiles that the church is also a place where military soldiers from nearby Hill Air Force Base and peace activists can share pews. Additionally, it is a place where those of other faith traditions come on the holidays of Christmas and Easter. Good Shepherd has had that reputation for years.

The Rev. Adam Linton concludes it is a privilege to be part of the historic gem of downtown Ogden—The Church of the Good Shepherd.

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