Our History

In August, 1951, the first Lutheran worship service was held in Gilroy under the leadership of the Reverend Milford Brelje, a young seminary graduate who had been placed in Gilroy to begin a Lutheran presence in the communities of Gilroy and Hollister. The first service was held in a renovated funeral chapel purchased from the Habing Family Funeral Home. That facility, now converted to the Tasso's Old House Restaurant, served the needs of the small and growing parish for 18 years.

Pastor Brelje served Good Shepherd congregation until 1955 when he took another position. The Reverend William Schreyers succeeded him as pastor in 1955 and served the congregation until 1970 when he retired. The Reverend William Anderson was called to serve in 1970 and remained at Good Shepherd until 1978. The present pastor, Reverend Ronald E.Koch has ministered continuously from 1978 until the present.

In 1969 the congregation built its current church and social hall buildings on land that had been purchased at the west edge of Gilroy at 1735 Hecker Pass Highway. In 1982 the congregation built a classroom building to house the Vineyard Christian Preschool, which had been using the church social hall for classes. The Vineyard Preschool was established by the church in 1975 to serve the needs of preschoolers in the growing Gilroy area. It has a reputation as the highest quality preschool program in the community. The enrollment is 96 children with 8 staff. Each of the four sessions has 24 students and a long waiting list.

The congregation under its current pastor, has become involved in many social ministry areas in the community. St. Joseph's Family Center Ministry in Gilroy and Lutheran Campus Ministry at U. C. Santa Cruz & Cal State University at Monterey Bay are two of our mission outreach projects. Good Shepherd has served as an alternate homeless shelter to the Gilroy Armory for weekends in the winter months. Pastor Koch participates in the Gilroy Ministerial Association, and together with other local churches, Good Shepherd members have been active in gaining community support for the city council to allow for a permanent transitional shelter to be built. On four days of the week, Narcotics Anonymous uses the social hall for meetings. The Cub Scouts meet once per week during the traditional school months. The Gilroy High School music program uses the sanctuary for recitals of the solo and small group competitors. In 1990 a pipe organ was installed through donations of members, and in 1996 a grand piano was added to meet the needs of the church's fine music program. English Handbells ring at most services during the traditional school year.

For the 50th anniversary celebration, Good Shepherd has invited the founding Pastor , Reverend Milford Brelje, to be the preacher at a special afternoon service on September 23rd at 4pm. After worship we will gather for a tri-tip barbeque to celebrate God's blessing of this congregation and its ministry in Gilroy. Renovation and redecoration of both the interior and exterior of the property is currently in progress to show the church's commitment to continue its ministry to the community.