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"the friendly church"

4229 Fassett Lane;  Wellsville, New York 14895

Pastor- Rev. Dr. Carl Knitter  585-610-0893     church office 585-593-3274

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Click here to go to ELCA's home page.   

General information about Shepherd of the Valley on ELCA's web page, ...

And also a member of The Upstate New York Synod.

  Click here to go to the synod's home page.

Our History displayed with 7  tapestries, photos.

Kay Allen is president of church council. (585-593-6000)

"Milestones in our ministry"  are below the photo.

Why the name "Shepherd of the Valley"?

The Genesee River runs through the village of Wellsville. The Genesee River begins about 25 miles south in the mountains of Pennsylvania. The Genesee flows through towns and villages in Pennsylvania and New York on its way north to Rochester and Lake Ontario. Jesus is our Shepherd, He takes care and looks over us. So, the "Valley" refers to all the country side the Genesee River flows through and the people who live there are the sheep. Jesus is the Shepherd of the Genesee Valley. This name was suggested by Betty Wood in the fall of 1993.

Stained glass window located in the front of the church. Designed and created by Donna Leonard.

Milestones in our ministry

1993 a group of Lutherans seeking pastor and worship space. Pastor John Phaler provides tutelage.

The name Shepherd of the Valley is suggested.

Pastor Bruce Gamaché is called as Mission Developer.

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wellsville becomes the first place for worship and fellowship.

St. Mary’s Lutheran Church in Maryland under the leadership of Pastor and Mrs. Lee and Ann Brumbeck become our first Mission Partners.

1994 Shepherd of the Valley sponsors The Potter’s Clay –a youth choir from Family Life Ministries in Bath, NY.

1995 Reception of new members stimulate a number of social activities.

1996 the congregation moves to Worth Smith Hardware Store on Andover Road in Wellsville. Volunteers restructure the building into worship area, educational rooms, bathrooms dining room. Churches around the Synod donate furnishings.

1997 Pastor Gamaché leaves.

Mrs. Carol Stewart is trained and appointed as deacon.

Mr. Marvin Wood takes charge as leader of the congregation.

1998 Temple Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Jersey under the leadership of Pastor Jim Heckman becomes our next Mission Partner.

Pastor Paula Roulette is called as Interim Pastor.

1999 Shepherd of the Valley is formally organized as a congregation. Bishop Lee Miller recognizes the charter

with its 78 signatures and designates Shepherd of the Valley as an ELCA congregation of the Upstate New York Synod.

CALM – Cattaraugus Allegany Lutheran Ministries is formed as Pastor Roulette is called to serve both Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Wellsville and Bethel Lutheran Church in Portville. 

Mr. and Mrs. Karlton and JoAnne Brandes, members of Shepherd donate property for a future church building.

Mr. Norm Miller prepares blue prints and takes charge over the building project.

Students from Alfred State Technical College help out.

Donna Leonard designs and crafts the stained glass window.

2000 Dedication of the new building on Fassett Lane in Wellsville.

2001 A Music program is developed under the professional leadership of Virginia Vossler and Julie Tunstall-Georger.

Vacation Bible School, Bugs. Summer Meal Program.

2002  Mr. Nick Reitter develops the Web-site. Vacation Bible School, Beach Safari.

Summer Meal Program. Pastor Roulette resigns in early December.

2003 Visits from the Synod’s Conflict and Healing Team.

Trinity Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and St. John’s Episcopal Church reach out to Shepherd and provide pastoral care. The Rev. Lotta Cohén, Vacancy Pastor

The congregation experiments with interactive services both outside and indoors. 

The Rev. Lotta Cohén accepts a pastorate in Sweden.

2004 The Rev. Dr. Carl Knitter arrives as an interim pastor.