Good Shepherd Lutheran began as a mission congregation of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1993. Mission developer Rev. Clarence Mankin worked out of Wittenberg Lutheran Center on the campus of Illinois State University. The congregation was chartered as a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on February 19, 1995. Pastor Mankin was installed as the first Pastor on June 25, 1995.
The congregation worshipped at Wittenberg (1994), Ramada Inn (1994) Eastland Suites Hotel (1994-1995), and the McLean County Farm Bureau Building (Sept. 1995 – Aug. 2000). In 1998, Pastor Mankin had to step away from full-time ministry because of health reasons. During this time the congregation was served faithfully by vacancy Pastor Rev. Dymann Jirovec, campus Pastor at Illinois State.
In November 1998, Rev. Chad D. Lueck, serving at Hope Lutheran in Shawnee, KS accepted the call to be Good Shepherd’s second Pastor. He was installed on January 10, 1999. When Pastor Lueck came the congregation had an office and worshipped each week at the Farm Bureau building.
With 10 acres, purchased in July 1996, in the southeast part of Bloomington, the congregation in the summer of 1999 voted to proceed with building a $2 million church. They borrowed $1.8 million from the District Church Extension Fund and broke ground at 3516 White Eagle Drive on September 19, 1999.
Blessed by our Lord with mild winter weather the building of the church proceeded in a timely manner. On June 11, 2000 the cornerstone was put in place. The dedication of this new House of Worship was on August 27, 2000. This has been Good Shepherd’s church home ever since.
Other Important Dates in the Life Of the Congregation:
August 1995 – Daycare Center opens at Wittenberg, moved to church in 2001 and closed July 2006
September 16, 2001 – a new pipe organ was dedicated to the Glory of God
February 19, 2005 – Good Shepherd celebrates 10 years as a congregation
February 19, 2015 – Good Shepherd celebrates 20 years as a congregation (celebration dinner/worship on July 18-19, 2015)
July 15, 2018 – in a special worship service gave thanks to God we had paid half our mortgage
June 26, 2022 – dedicated to the Glory of God new stained glass windows
This is our short history that has been blessed by our faithful Lord. We pray for His blessing as we move forward preaching and teaching the Word of God. May the love and grace of Jesus Christ continue to define our history.