A BRIEF HISTORY OF GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC CHURCH
Alexandria, Virginia

[http://www.gs-cc.org/vision/history.htm]

Good Shepherd parish was formed in May 1965 by Bishop John J. Russell of the Diocese of Richmond in response to the remarkable growth of Fairfax County during the early 1960's. The boundaries of the parish encompass the historic Mount Vernon Estate and most of George Washington's farms including River Farm to the north and Mansion Farm on the south. The Potomac River forms the eastern border and the historic community of Gum Springs is on the west, bounded by U.S. Route One.

Father Joseph F. Schwartz, Good Shepherd's first pastor, founded an "instant parish" of more than 900 families. The first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, May 30, 1965, in Walt Whitman (now Mount Vernon High) School. Under pressure from Fairfax County to vacate the public schools, a low-cost quick-to-build multi-purpose structure was constructed. The building, complete with an altar setting and 980 green folding chairs, was formally dedicated by Bishop Russell on June 17, 1967.

In June 1970, Father William P. Connelly was named pastor and continued building the programs of Good Shepherd until July 1971, when he was succeeded by Father Thomas J. Quinlan. During Father Quinlan's pastorate, plans were created for additional parish facilities and a fund-raising campaign was initiated. To celebrate the diverse ethnic and multi-cultural background within the community, the concept for our annual International Festival was developed.

In 1974, the Commonwealth of Virginia was split into two dioceses, Richmond and Arlington. Father Quinlan opted to remain in the Richmond diocese, and Father John P. Hannan was appointed as Good Shepherd's pastor in August 1974. During this time, the ways in which Good Shepherd interpreted the spirit of Vatican Council II, especially the role of the parish council, came under scrutiny. The severe polarization of opinion that resulted received attention on a diocesan and national level. Father Hannan was soon joined by Father Thomas F. Egan and the two served as co-pastors until 1975, when Father Egan became sole pastor. Father Egan fell ill and was replaced by Father Frank E. Mahler in December 1975. Father Mahler served first as administrator, then as pastor, until June 1979.

From 1974 to 1979, the life of Good Shepherd community was deeply affected by the struggle to find a resolution to the polarization within the parish. Bishop Joseph H. Hodges of Wheeling-Charleston was appointed Apostolic Visitator for Conciliation. Ultimately, the Apostolic Delegate and the prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Clergy became directly involved with Bishop Thomas Welsh of the Diocese of Arlington in recommending solutions to the difficulties affecting Good Shepherd Parish.

In June 1979, Father Gerard Creedon was appointed pastor with a mandate to restore unity. The theme "Building Community in the Light of Christ" inspired all efforts undertaken to reconcile the various factions in the parish. The resurgence of the International Festival in 1980 became a sign of community bonding and the resurrection of Good Shepherd's community spirit.

Plans were initiated for the construction of a church and the development of additional facilities. These plans received prompt approval from Bishop John R. Keating. On October 21, 1984, Bishop Keating dedicated Good Shepherd Church, 19 years after the parish was formed. The cornerstone was hewn from a rock quarry on the Mount Vernon estate; the mahogany altar and ambo relate to the design of an 18th Century sideboard in the Mount Vernon mansion's dining room.

Recognizing the special needs and concerns of the Spanish-speaking members of Good Shepherd parish, a monthly Spanish-language liturgy was added to the Sunday Mass schedule in August 1984. In late 1989 Father Tadeo Mich joined the parish on a regular basis for Sunday and Holy Day Spanish-language liturgies. He was succeeded in October 1992 by Father Mario Dorsonville of the Diocese of Bogota, Columbia. In February 1995, Father Fernando Cristancho of the Diocese of Istima-Tado, Columbia, became the first full-time Hispanic member of the parish clergy. In 1998, he was followed by Father Jesús Navarrete, who is incardinated in the Diocese of Madrid, Spain.  Fr. Juan Alvarez joined the parish in September 2005.  Fr. Juan is a member of the Crusaders of St. Mary.  

With full community review and support, diocesan approval was granted in September 1987 for the construction of the Good Shepherd Parish Community Center, which incorporated the original multi-purpose building, and added space for parish offices, a professional-style kitchen, a nursery and youth center and six classrooms. The building was dedicated in January 1991 and has been the hub of the parish's activities ever since. During Fr. Creedon’s tenure as pastor, Good Shepherd Parish became known for its outreach to the poor and underprivileged, both in our own community and also nationally and internationally.

Following an assignment of 12 years as pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Father Creedon was replaced by Father George Griffin, who served as Good Shepherd’s pastor from June 1991 until June 2003. Under Father Griffin’s direction, parish facilities were updated, portraits of Good Shepherd’s pastors were commissioned, stained glass windows were added to the worship space, a memorial to the victims of September 11th was constructed, and a comfortable priests’ residence was built on parish grounds. Due to Father Griffin’s superb financial management, these projects were completed without any major fundraising campaigns and all Good Shepherd facilities are mortgage-free.

Fr. Griffin also continued Good Shepherd’s outreach to the poor and needy, and its dedication to Social Justice issues. In 1992 our Emergency Assistance Program was the first church-based organization accepted by the United Way / CFC Campaign (designation number 8294). Today, through grants, direct assistance and special collections, more than 16% of our income is returned to charitable causes.

Father Chuck McCoart was named pastor in June 2003, and under his direction, Good Shepherd Parish continues to flourish as a caring and sharing community, welcoming all who share the vision of "Building Community in the Light of Christ."  Good Shepherd continues to grow in size and spirituality by living our baptismal call to be disciples of Christ and to be the people and parish God intends for each us.