Our Location

As a Christian community, our life is based upon and bound up in the reality of the Incarnation—that in Jesus Christ, the Word became flesh and in Eugene Peterson’s words, “moved into the neighborhood.” God entered into time and space, and even more, took up all the concrete particularities of a human body, a human story, in a particular place, among particular people. The implications of this reality are manifold, but at a very basic level, the incarnation offers a deep affirmation of places, peoples, and stories in all of their particularity. Part of what that means for us as a church is the recognition that we are stepping into a history that predates us, and as we do so, we are seeking to be attentive to what has come before us and seeking to gently step into and participate in what is already happening around us. 

Theologian Willie James Jennings argues that inherent to Christian identity is the recognition that “we have been brought into another people’s story.” Rightly understood, this means that there is a deep connection between our discipleship and the places we live and inhabit, a perpetual invitation to nurture a curiosity and humility that resists centering ourselves and instead situates ourselves as participants in an already unfolding story. In Jennings’ words, much of this is dependent upon our ability to “become better storytellers of the places we inhabit.” As a new church plant, we recognize that we are tenants in the spaces and places we occupy, and we desire that our presence be one that is gentle, honest, and that seeks to partner with and nurture the life of the people and organizations already present in a given place. 

Toward that end, as Church of the Good Shepherd takes up residence in the historic Ridge Street church we do so with humility, excitement, and not a little trepidation. Begun in 1883 by the congregation of the Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, this church was their home for more than a century. Soon after Emancipation, the congregation of Mt. Zion broke the bonds of white oversight and committed to fostering the gospel of Jesus among those finding their way through the early years of Freedom. In 1992, they successfully listed this building on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2002 they built a much larger church building on Lankford Avenue and sold their building to the Music Resource Center (MRC), whose mission is to empower tomorrow’s community leaders through the universal language of music. Working specifically with kids from Buford Middle School and Charlottesville High School, the MRC provides a safe place for these kids to achieve their music goals while promoting positive relationships and personal growth. This landmark building has witnessed generations and generations of people bearing witness to the power of the gospel and seeking the flourishing of this community. As the opportunity and invitation to inhabit this building has come to fruition, it is our hope to continue that legacy. 

As a new church community here in Charlottesville inhabiting this historic space, Church of the Good Shepherd is grateful to be stepping into and participating in the gospel witness begun by Mt. Zion by speaking the truth, listening and learning, and acting in partnership with our neighbors for the flourishing of our community. We wish to do so especially attentive to the legacies of racism in Charlottesville, learning from and empowering our many members whose lives and vocations are at the forefront of these conversations. If you are attending worship with us on Sundays, we invite you to join us on this journey.

It was an honor to have Rev. Dr. Alvin Edwards, pastor of Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, lead us in a prayer and blessing on our launch day. You can read that prayer here.