The presence of the Episcopal Church in
Webster City is first noted in the early 1920's when Dr. Francis
Drake, the priest for St. Mark's Church in Fort Dodge, would come to
Webster City and conduct services in the homes of the faithful, and
later in the club rooms in the basement of the Library.
In 1951 a serious effort was undertaken to discover if
enough people could be found who would be interested in forming a
mission of the Episcopal Church in Webster City. By 1953 this
missionary effort was confirmed by the Diocesan Convention when the
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd was admitted as a mission to the
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. Groundbreaking ceremonies for a new
building were conducted in 1955 on land donated to the Church by John
W. and Marjorie H. Evans. On October 26, 1956 the new building was
dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Gordon V. Smith, then Bishop of Iowa.
Since that time the members of Good Shepherd have sought to maintain
their part of the Christian witness to the citizens of Webster City by
faithful participation in the community in which they live. St.
Margaret’s Guild, a service organization of the church, provides
financial support for several community charitable projects, including
Hospice/Respite Care of Hamilton County, the Ecumenical Human Needs
Committee, the new chapel at Southfield Care Facility, and contributes
to families in need. We have an ongoing collection for the Upper Des
Moines Opportunity Food Pantry. Our worshipping congregation has
nearly tripled within the past ten years, and at this time, plans are
underway for redesign of our church building.
Good Shepherd celebrated 50 years in this
building in October 2006 with an "Oktoberfest" style evening (complete
with an accordion player), and a festival worship service on Sunday
morning. Plans for renovation of the chancel area and
modernization of the restrooms are currently underway. We love
our church and style of worship and are always glad to have visitors
join us.
