CoGS History

A progressive, diverse, and accepting church through the ages!

Our History: Pioneers Then and Now

Our story is deeply woven into the history of the Kitchener-Waterloo region itself. For nearly two centuries, the Church of the Good Shepherd has been a place of spiritual inquiry, civic engagement, and progressive faith. Our journey began in 1833, not in a church, but in the apple orchard of Christian Enslin, a local bookbinder, at what is now the corner of King and Benton Streets. In this humble setting, a group of people gathered to study the spiritual writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, becoming not only pioneers of the soil but pioneers of the Spirit.

Laying the Foundation (1833–1901)

From our earliest days, we were committed to the welfare of our growing city, Kitchener, then known as the hamlet of Berlin. In 1842, our congregation partnered with others to construct a small building that served a dual purpose: it was a place of worship and also Berlin's very first public school. Our first minister, Rev. John Harbin, a former military surgeon, often assisted the town's first doctor, Dr. John Scott, who later became the first Warden of the County of Waterloo. Founding members also included the Ruby family; Charles Ruby would go on to become the manager of the Mutual Life Company, known today as Sun Life.

As the community grew, so did our congregation. A larger church was built in 1857 on land purchased from Joseph Schneider. This new era was guided by Rev. Frederick Tuerk, who began an incredible 44-year ministry that would span the rest of the century, from 1857 to 1901. In 1867, the same year as Canada's Confederation, the church resolved to build again. This third church, a grand gothic-style stone building at the corner of King and Water Streets, was completed in 1870 and featured a tall steeple and the community's first new organ.

This period of growth was not without challenges. In 1891, the congregation faced a difficult division over whether to operate its own school, which led to some members amicably parting ways to establish a new community. Their descendants are known today as the Carmel Church, another Swedenborgian presence in the south end of Kitchener. Meanwhile, we adapted to the changing city, transitioning from primarily German-language services to incorporating and eventually adopting English to welcome all our neighbours.

A Century of Change and Growth (1901–1960s)

The 20th century saw our church solidify its place as a leading community institution, with prominent local families like the J.M. Schneiders and the Zellers among our members. During the difficult years of World War One, our members served both on the front lines and at home, with the "Ladies Aid" group actively supporting the Red Cross and soldier rehabilitation at Freeport Hospital. The end of the war also brought significant social shifts, and for the first time, women began to assume important administrative and decision-making roles within the church.

In an incredible act of faith, our current church building at Margaret Avenue and Queen Street North was constructed at the height of the Great Depression, completed in 1935. The new church retained beautiful features from the property's previous owners, the Roos family. The original coach house still stands as the caretaker’s home, and the ornate wrought-iron railing encircling the grounds, first erected in 1888, is now a designated heritage artifact.

After World War Two, the church's influence extended into the cultural sphere when the minister's wife, Elizabeth Johnson, began organizing musical revues that would become the foundation of the renowned K-W Musical Productions. By the 1960s, as society embraced new ideas, our long-held beliefs about love and the unity of all religions earned us the affectionate nickname "the hippy church," signaling our alignment with the era's progressive ideals and the arrival of one of our most beloved ministers, Rev. Paul Zacharias—notably, the first Canadian-born minister to lead our congregation.

An Era of Open Ministry and Social Action (1970s–2008)

In the 1970s, under the leadership of Rev. Paul Zacharias, we began an "open wedding ministry." This pioneering service offered a welcoming spiritual home for couples who might not have fit the rigid molds of other churches and laid the groundwork for our fully inclusive stance on all life events today.

Our history of civic engagement evolved into a deep commitment to social justice, from sponsoring students in Africa and refugees from Central America to local action. Our members were instrumental in organizing the Out of the Cold program for the homeless and helped establish the downtown social service network that grew into The Working Centre. This work continues through our active support for St. John’s Community Kitchen, Mary’s Place, Marillac Place, the Food Bank, and Habitat for Humanity.

When we celebrated our 175th anniversary in 2008, we did so under the banner “Pioneers Then and Now.” It was a reaffirmation of our identity, a promise to continue seeking new ways to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.”

Continuing into the digital age (2008-Present)

Entering the digital age, the Church of the Good Shepherd has continued to build on its legacy of social action and community engagement. The church actively provided assistance to Syrian refugees starting new lives in Kitchener-Waterloo and sustained its annual support for crucial local shelters and food programs.

The church's music program adapted creatively during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caleb joined as the music director in June 2021, services were held and streamed outdoors, and a last-minute lockdown led to a Christmas service in a near-empty sanctuary. Despite ongoing challenges and careful planning around how the choir could sing safely, whether masked or outdoors, the church successfully found ways to continue its music ministry while prioritizing the congregation's well-being.

This period also saw transitions in ministerial leadership. For several years leading up to 2022, the congregation was ministered by Rev. Cory Bradford-Watts, who also led a prominent online Swedenborgian ministry. In September 2024, Rev. Alison Moore began her ministry as the current pastor, bringing a long-standing connection to the community into her new role. In November of that same year, office coordinator Cait joined the staff, bringing her unique background in IT and graphics to help guide the church's presence into the 2020s. From an apple orchard to a modern, affirming community, our pioneering spirit endures.

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