In 2016, the Pee Dee Presbytery of the PCA called Stacey Severance as a church planter to Florence. Stacey arrived in August 2016, and after six months of vision gatherings, informational meetings, and planning sessions, Good Shepherd launched its weekly public worship service on February 26, 2017 in Briggs Elementary School.
October 23, 2016: Our first Vision Gathering at Triple R Farms, when the church name was announced
February 26, 2017: Launch of Sunday morning worship at Briggs Elementary School
The church met at Briggs until March 2020, when the COVID pandemic began. After two Sundays of emailing sermons to the congregation, we began an outdoor "drive-in" worship service, which we held for seven weeks. When churches began to meet indoors again, the House of Hope allowed us to use the final weeks of their lease in the Mission Mart building on West Palmetto St. The owner of that building then allowed us to meet there in June and July (while we continued to look for a more permanent location), and in August we began to rent that space.
In the coming months, as the congregation prayed and fasted to seek God's will together for our future location, the leaders of the former Westminster Presbyterian Church approached us with what proved to be a truly amazing offer. After some discussion, they decided to dissolve their congregation, but before dissolving, the members of WPC voted to give their property and assets to Good Shepherd. This included both buildings and the 11-acre plot of land between 2nd Loop Rd. and Jefferies Creek.
GS took possession in early 2021, and after many months of renovation and preparation, we held our first worship at 2301 2nd Loop Rd. on September 26, 2021.
GS took possession in early 2021, and after many months of renovation and preparation, we held our first worship at 2301 2nd Loop Rd. on September 26, 2021.
