About Us

Parish History

1973
November

Good Shepherd is founded and Masses are celebrated at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery Chapel, which is home to Good Shepherd until June of 1977. The original number of families is 159.
 
December 3

The parish of Good Shepherd is officially established. Father Frank Niehaus is appointed as first pastor on December 6th by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin.

1974
August 27

Father John L. Rea is appointed co-pastor.
1975
May

318 families pledge to support construction of a new church.
1976
April 18 - Easter Sunday

Ground is broken for a new church facility situated on approximately 24 acres of land at the corner of Weller and Kemper Roads.

December 25 - Christmas Day

The first Mass in the new church is celebrated at midnight. There is no heat and make-shift temporary lighting is utilized. 1,250 parishioners bring lawn chairs and use flashlights to see.
1977
June 12

Dedication Mass for the new church is concelebrated by Archbishop Bernardin and co-pastors Niehaus and Rea. Our community now has 960 families.
1979
October

Father Niehaus accepts assignment as Pastoral Consultant in Parish Development for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Father John L. Rea is named pastor.
1982
May

Father Rea dies suddenly.
 
July

Father Louis J. Guntzelman is appointed pastor. There are now 1,500 parish families.
1986
November 23

An addition to the building, doubling its size, is dedicated by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk.
1990
September 30

Our parish family grows to 3,009 families.
1994
July 5

Father Guntzelman completes twelve years as pastor and Father Thomas R. Axe is appointed Good Shepherd’s fourth pastor.
2002
April 1

A second addition to the building is completed bringing our facility to a total of 90,000 sq.ft. Our parish family grows to 4,342 families.
2003
November 1

Father Robert E. Schmitz is appointed Good Shepherd’s fifth pastor.
2007
January

Our parish family is comprised of 11,740 parishioners and 4,128 households.
2008
November 29

Good Shepherd celebrated its 35th Anniversary with a special Mass followed by a reception. Soon after, the Parish Pastoral Council expanded to form the new Assembly of Parish Leaders.
2009
July 1

Reverend Terry Smith is appointed Parochial Vicar of Good Shepherd.
2010
July 1

Presently we have over 11,379 parishioners in about 4,069 households.
2011
May - June

Parishioners are saddened by the deaths of long-time liturgical vocalist Larry Kinley and former pastor Fr. Lou Guntzelman.