Church of the Good Shepherd-Episcopal (Blue Earth, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of the Good Shepherd--Episcopal
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The church seen from the west in 2016
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Moore and 8th Streets, Blue Earth, Minnesota |
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| Area | 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architect | Rev. Solomon S. Burleson |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Faribault County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004257 |
| Added to NRHP | May 23, 1980 |
The Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal is a special old church in Blue Earth, Minnesota. You can find it at Moore and 8th Streets. It's the oldest church building still standing in the area.
This church is a great example of "Rural Gothic" architecture. This style uses simple, strong designs often seen in country churches. In the 1970s, fewer people attended services. So, in 1981, the last three members gave the building to the Faribault County Historical Society.
Since then, the church has been used for many events. These include special holiday services, Christmas concerts, weddings, and funerals. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
How the Church Started
Blue Earth was founded in 1856. Many early settlers were Methodists, but Episcopalians and Presbyterians also moved there. The first Episcopal church service in Blue Earth was held on December 10, 1867. It took place in the Presbyterian church.
In 1870, Bishop Henry Whipple visited the city. He asked Reverend Solomon Stephens Burleson to consider becoming the pastor. Reverend Burleson was then serving at All Saints Church-Episcopal in Northfield, Minnesota.
On January 14, 1871, the local newspaper, the Blue Earth City Post, shared exciting news. It said that building an Episcopal church would be decided soon. Bishop Whipple offered to pay for the church if the new church group paid for a house for the pastor. This offer was quickly accepted.
The newspaper reported, "Arrangements have been nearly completed for the establishment of regular Episcopal services at this place. The pastor will be Rev. S.S. Burleson. A church parsonage (pastor's house) will also be built." Services were planned to start soon at the school house.
A Special Gift for the Church
The land for the church cost $375. This would be about $8,000 today. Just three months after Bishop Whipple's visit, the local newspaper announced a big gift. "Plans are being made for an Episcopal Church building in Blue Earth City. It will cost several thousand dollars. The money is already here and is a gift from Mrs. Auchmuty."
This generous person was Ellen Schermerhorn Auchmuty (1837-1927). She was a wealthy lady from New York. She gave the full $3,000 for the church's construction. This would be about $64,000 today.
Both Ellen and her husband, Col. Richard T. Auchmuty, came from important Episcopalian families. They often gave money to help build churches on the East Coast. Richard Auchmuty was also an architect. He designed other churches that are also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Building the Church
In 1871, Blue Earth was a small town. So, building a large church was a big deal. The local newspaper kept everyone updated on the church's progress. On August 16, 1871, the Blue Earth City Post reported that construction had begun.
The newspaper said the church would be 27 by 60 feet. It would face west and have a tower on the southeast corner. There would also be a porch in front. The church was designed to seat about 200 people. It was planned to be ready by Christmas.
Reverend Burleson had experience building churches. He had overseen three other churches in Minnesota before this one. He was even known to help with the actual building work himself.
The church's design was inspired by plans from Richard Upjohn. He published a book called Upjohn’s Rural Architecture in 1852. This book had designs for wooden churches and other buildings.
The style of these churches was simple. They had plain exteriors with vertical lines. They also featured pointed-arch windows and doors. The tower was usually plain with three sections. This simple style became known as "Whipple Gothic" in Minnesota. It made the church feel grand and traditional.
Reverend Burleson made sure each church he built was a little different. He also designed another Episcopal church in Wells, Minnesota. The Blue Earth church and the Wells church were very similar to Upjohn's plans. However, the Blue Earth church had extra supports called buttresses.
The Blue Earth City Post continued to share updates. In November 1871, they reported the frame was up. In December, cold weather delayed the work. The church's color was planned to be like "Portland Stone" with brown trim. It would be heated by a furnace in the cellar.
On February 17, 1872, the newspaper announced the church's name: "Church of the Good Shepherd." By March 2, 1872, there was talk of buying a 1,000-pound bell. Finally, on March 30, 1872, the church was ready for its first services on Easter Sunday.
Church Dedication
Bishop Whipple returned to Blue Earth to officially dedicate the church. This special event happened on August 20, 1872.
Beautiful Stained Glass
When the Church of the Good Shepherd was finished, it had a large lancet window above the altar. Lancet windows are tall, narrow windows with a pointed top. There were also smaller, plain green and white windows in the bell tower.
The window above the altar was very special. The Blue Earth City Post said it was "the first one ever brought to Minnesota." It had been used in Christ Church in St. Paul for some years. That church had been damaged in a fire, but this window survived. Reverend Burleson made sure to include unique windows in his churches.
The original stained glass window is no longer there. About ten years after the church was built, a new window was installed. The Blue Earth City Post announced, "The Church of the Good Shepherd has received a beautiful new chancel window at a cost of $125."
This new window is the one you see in the church today. It shows Christ holding a lamb, surrounded by two sheep. The words "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" are written on it. One sheep is shown holding a blue cloth in its mouth. This symbolizes the freedom to choose to follow Christ. This window's image is based on a famous painting by Bernhard Plockhorst from 1878, called "The Good Shepherd."
