 The Rev. Francis J. Murdoch, founder of The Good Shepherd  The Rev. Thomas L. Trott, a pupil of Francis Murdoch, was the first resident minister.  Ann, Ola Mae, and S.J.M. (Jerry) Brown. The Rev. S.J.M. Brown was the perpetual deacon from 1906 until his death in 1920. 
The Rev. Joseph C. D. Wilson served Nov. 1920 - Dec 1923
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The Episcopal Church of The Good Shepherd was founded in 1901 when the first church building was built of wood, before many of the houses in this small mill town of Cooleemee, North Carolina. The wooden parish house was erected in 1912.
The first church building burned, and the present building of red brick in gothic style was built circa 1925, the same time the present vicarage was constructed.
Good Shepherd is one of many churches founded by the Rev. Francis J. Murdoch of St. Luke, Salisbury.
The Episcopal Church has given to Cooleemee its first church building, first layman to conduct regular services, first clinic, and a missionary for Liberian service, Ethel Louise Byerly Simmons (Mrs. Harvey).