Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd history

In 1961, Conrad Raker wrote in Sweet Charity, “Now a vacant lot … soon a modern rehabilitation center.

In 1964, the program that would become known as Good Shepherd Work Services began.

Three years later, in 1967, the Allentown Rehabilitation Hospital, with the 23rd Psalm engraved around the top of its exterior, opened its doors.

On January I, 1970, the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd was officially organized with the support of both Trinity and Our Saviour congregations.

In August 1971, Reverend Richard Lind was called.

After the Agnes flood in June 1972 the five Wilkes-Barre Lutheran Church in America congregations began discussion on consolidation.

The new congregation was formed January 1, 1973 and on January 7, 1973 the congregation voted to name the new church “Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.”

After attempts to purchase property for a new church failed, the congregation voted to proceed with renovations of the South Chapel in 1976.

After 6 1/2 years of foundation building, on January 22, 1978, Pastor Lind handed over the baton to Reverend Harvey J. Jaeger.

1979 — Good Shepherd Church began as a mission congregation of the American Lutheran Church worshipping on Westmoreland Avenue in Naperville.

In August 1980, the Good Shepherd Home – Raker Center opened on Good Shepherd’s south Allentown campus.

In 1983, Good Shepherd opened a 60-bed rehabilitation hospital in Allentown.

1984 — Growing beyond the site at Westmoreland, the congregation took a step of faith and sold the building and found a new place to worship at St Procopius Abbey in Lisle.

A building committee was formed and construction began on the Fellowship Hall addition in 1985.

After many hours of work by the members of the congregation, the addition was completed and dedicated on September 13, 1987

1988 — Construction at 1310 Shepherd Drive was completed and the first worship service was held with 250 families who supported the journey.

With the explosion in population in the Howard/Suamico area in the 1990’s, Good Shepherd began to examine its long range plans.

In 1993, Good Shepherd opened the Dornsife Pediatric Center on its south Allentown campus.

Pastor Harvey Jaeger announced his retirement in 1997, and for approximately one year the congregation was served by Interim Pastor Alan Schafmeyer.

In 1999, the Church Council underwent a strategic planning session and committees were formed to address the needs of the ever-changing population.

2000 – An expanded ministry facility was constructed to provide Good Shepherd’s ministry with the needed tools to serve the greater Naperville area for God.

A capital campaign was launched in the fall of 2002, and ultimately raised $350,000 over a three year period.

In 2003, Good Shepherd opened the Supported Independent Living Apartments on its south Allentown campus.

In 2004, Good Shepherd representatives presented a plan to Allentown City Council.

Two years later, in 2006, the campus transformation was completed.

In 2008, Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a joint venture between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine, opened its doors.

In July 2009, Good Shepherd opened the region’s first pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit.

2010 – Another facility expansion enabled the vision of Good Shepherd to be supported through additional ministry space.

Pastor Beth Macha served as interim Pastor beginning January 2015.

Pastor Jen Fite began serving as permanent Pastor in February 2016.

In July 2020, Good Shepherd announced plans to construct a four-story, 76-bed inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Center Valley/Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania.