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OUR CHURCH HISTORY

The Early Years Third Pastor - Dana Knapp
First Pastor - Jack Houdeshel Interrim Pastor - Gretchen van Utt
Second Pastor - Phil Sommer Another Interrim - Bob Jewett
Interrim Pastor - Russ Butcher Fourth Pastor - Daris S. Bultena

Before we were Good Shepherd
1963 - 1965
In June, 1963, the Presbytery of Baltimore and the National Mission of the United Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., purchased the Church site and the manse in the new community of Joppatowne.

The Rev John H. Houdeshel was appointed National Missionary and Organizing Pastor. In October, 1963 the first worship service was conducted in the 'Joppatowne Theater' (that was the fancy name for the building near the model homes where they showed the promotional films for the salesmen).

In December, 1964, the first worship service was held in the newly completed Community Building located on the 4 acre plot at the corner of Joppa Farm Rd and Towne Center Drive.

In January, 1965 the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church was officialy organized by the Presbytery of Baltimore with 107 charter members. The new congregation called Rev. Houdeshel to be its minister.

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The Reverend John H. Houdeshel Years: 1965 - 1971
Jack, Skip, Ruth, Kathy, Steven, Betty

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Philip Sommer Years: 1972 - 1982
Phil, Marti, Christopher, Scott, Caitlan

May, 1980 brought the dedication of the new sanctary and office space which represented the culmination of a successful building campaign begun in December, 1978.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Reverend Russell Butcher, 1982 - 1983
Russ and Hazel

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The Reverend Dana Knapp Years: 1983 - 1996
Dana, Rita, Hugh, Erin, John

By 1991, the congregation had grown to 270 active members.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Reverend Gretchen van Utt
Gretchen and George Fisher

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The Reverend Robert Jewett
Dr. Bob and Audrey Jewett

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The Reverend Daris Bultena

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