Blue Earth in Faribault County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal

May 20, 2025

1. Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal Marker

Inscription. The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd was built in 1871-72 in the Gothic Revival Style. It has a steeply pitched roof and batten-and-board siding. Four buttresses brace each side and the bell tower is buttressed on the south. The Guild Hall on the north was added in 1905. On the sides of the main building are lancet windows with stained glass. Side windows in the chancel are Swiss-made stained glass. The building is essentially unaltered since it was built.

The Good Shepherd Church is one of a group of Gothic Revival churches built under the direction of Bishop Henry Whipple, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Minnesota. The Rev. Solomon Burleson designed the church and began construction in 1871 at the request of Bishop Whipple. The first service was held on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1872. Bishop Whipple consecrated the church in August 1872.

In 1982 the three surviving members of this congregation gave the building to the Faribault County Historical Society.

Reverend Burleson's infant son Henry died in the early years of the church and is buried in the churchyard near the bell tower.

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1872.

Location. 43° 38.196′ N, 94° 6.046′ W. Marker is in Blue Earth, Minnesota, in Faribault County. It is at the intersection of South Moore Street and East 8th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Moore Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blue Earth MN 56013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Wakefield House (approx. 0.2 miles

May 20, 2025

2. Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal & Marker

away); Moses Sailor (approx. 0.4 miles away); Faribault County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Faribault County Courthouse Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Exploring Southwestern Minnesota (approx. 0.9 miles away); Minnesota Agriculture (approx. 0.9 miles away); Green Giant Statue (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blue Earth.

Also see . . .
1. Church of the Good Shepherd-Episcopal (Blue Earth, Minnesota) - Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 2, 2025.)
2. Minnesota MPS Church of the Good Shepherd--Episcopal | National Archives Catalog. (Submitted on June 2, 2025.)

Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal, from the northwest image. Click for full size.

May 20, 2025

3. Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal, from the northwest

Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal, from the southeast image. Click for full size.

May 20, 2025

4. Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal, from the southeast

Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) Plaque image. Click for full size.

May 20, 2025

5. Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) Plaque

"Consecrated Aug. 13, 1872 by Henry B. Whipple, Bishop of Minnesota
Placed on Register of Historic Places 1980"

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 2, 2025.