From the Beginning, an Active Youth Group
The first Shepherd of the Hills Youth Group was formed in the Autumn of 1963. Among the original members were Mary Sweet, Judy Walker, Mike Hawkins, LeRoy Knoppfle and his sister Stephanie, Gilber Eisley and Michele Walden. Our meetings were held in the Ballet Studio on Willow Lane, fondly known as “The Little Green Cathedral” because of its color and the number of windows. Subsequent locations included the home of the Youth Leaders, Wendell and Margaret Kemp, and in the basement of the house purchased for Christian Ed, across the street from Vivian Elementary. We were very pleased to have a permanent home in the basement of the new church building at 20th and Simms, in a room below what is now Charter Hall.
 Remembrance by: Michele (Shelly) Colarelli At Age 14, Youngest Charter Member |
Throughout those years, we enjoyed many evenings and afternoons full of fun and fellowship in Christ. We studied the meaning of each line of The Lord’s Prayer, and we read, studied and discussed the Bible and how the teachings fit into our lives at that time. Remember, this was the mid-sixties, a time of change and rebellion for many youth in our world. We went on hayrides, had Christmas parties and went caroling, and took field trips to other denominations to get the greater picture of how Christ worked in everyone’s lives. The first Youth Group at Shepherd of the Hills forged the model for future groups, in bringing Christ and his teachings into the lives of so many young people during the first 40 years.
 Our First Youth Group |
 Youth Hayride |