Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd/El Buen Pastor

(Episcopal)

Ogden, Utah

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd/El Buen Pastor was built during the railroad pioneer era in Ogden, Utah, and today partners with other organizations and faith traditions to serve the community.

Photos by Deniane Kartchner/Urban City Heritage Foudation

Photos by Deniane Kartchner/Urban City Heritage Foudation

2025 Cohort

Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd/El Buen Pastor

(Episcopal)

Ogden, Utah

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd was built during the railroad pioneer era in Ogden, Utah, and today partners with other organizations and faith traditions to serve the community.

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, completed in 1875, provided a worship home, school, and cemetery for the Protestant community in the railroad town of Ogden, at the junction of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads. The chapel was designed by noted architect Gordon W. Lloyd and is considered one of the best examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture in Utah. The church features thick cut stone walls (quarried and brought 50 miles by mule-drawn wagon), stained glass windows, and a steep roof topped with a cupola and bell tower. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, around the time community members saved the building from being demolished for a downtown mall. Due to their efforts, Good Shepherd church is the oldest building in Ogden still in active use for its original purpose.

Today, the Good Shepherd congregation comprises two worshipping bodies: English-speaking and Spanish-speaking. The congregation shares their space with partner organizations for events such as meetings, concerts, and blood donation drives. Good Shepherd’s community-serving programs include Shepherd’s Bowl, which creates 180 bag lunches weekly and delivers them to eight community partners who serve those experiencing food insecurity. Although Shepherd’s Bowl began 2016 as a sit-down meal service, the congregation shifted to sack lunches during the COVID-19 pandemic. This change was successful and has stayed in place, as Good Shepherd is now able to distribute meals throughout Ogden in partnership with other organizations as well as have meals available at the church in downtown Ogden.

A National Fund grant of $100,000 with $100,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation will allow the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd to complete urgent work including bell tower, masonry, and structural repairs.

Photo by Deniane Kartchner/Urban City Heritage Foudation

Stories and Media Coverage

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