The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

About this church

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd gathers in downtown Raleigh for Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Sundays. The early service uses Rite I; the later Eucharist follows Rite II and includes a Collect of the Kids. Christian formation begins at 9, nursery care for infants through age five runs from 8:30 until noon, and fellowship follows the later liturgy. The parish is one block west of the State Capitol. Accessible spaces are behind the church off Morgan Street, with a ramp to the Parish Life Center. Nearby street parking is free on Sundays, and an additional Sunday lot is available with timely QR-code validation inside the church.

Good Shepherd describes itself as an affirming community where worship leads to advocacy, direct service, and relationships. The congregation began in 1874 with a form of hospitality unusual for its era: unlike the city's existing Episcopal church, its pews were not privately owned. The first service at the present location took place on Easter 1875. Community involvement has included helping establish Rex Hospital and Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen. Current opportunities range from backpacks for farmworker families and supplies for unhoused students to Habitat builds and meals for college students. Visitors who are baptized Christians may receive Eucharist regardless of denomination; everyone else is welcome to pray, sing, and serve alongside the congregation.

Researched from the church’s official website and reviewed August 26, 2026. Sources: Official worship schedule, Eucharist rites and hours, nursery, fellowship, acces · Official parish overview, downtown location, affirming welcome, advocacy, direct · Official history, 1874 founding, open pews, early Capitol services, and Easter 1 · Official outreach page, hospital and soup-kitchen roots, backpacks, school suppl

Service times

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Location