The Plant
In the spring of 2017 a need arose for an orthodox Anglican church in SW Austin. A group of individuals, mostly from the Dripping Springs area, were gathered by Fr. Perry to discuss the possibility of planting a new Anglican church. The plant entered into a season of prayer and discernment in the home of Jim and Kaylynn McNabb. Word spread and a plant team was quickly gathered from the local Dripping Springs community and from individuals who had been attending other Anglican churches but desired a more local or more orthodox congregation. In the summer of 2018, Good Shepherd Anglican church launched its first services at Church of the Springs and a year later moved to The Hub in Dripping Springs.
Struggles During COVID
By God’s grace the church navigated through a difficult season during COVID lockdowns and various members of the plant team moving. A committed and faithful group of individuals ensured the church’s doors remained open. Over time the church collected a larger number of congregants and clergy from Austin.
Good Shepherd to St Patrick’s
In an effort to continue to strengthen the church, in June of 2024 God called Good Shepherd to move to SW Austin with the hopes that one day a healthy church in Austin could re-plant a church in Dripping Springs.
This was followed by another call from God for a leadership transition from our founding rector, Fr. Perry Koon, to our current rector Fr. John Tucker. Fr. Perry had been praying for the next leader of Good Shepherd and Fr. John felt called back to Austin after five years in Houston. Fr. Perry and Fr. John served together at a church in Austin from 2015-2018 and their mutual love, trust, and friendship allowed the transition to occur.
With the change in location and led by the Spirit, the church utilized a season of discernment to reestablish its core values, to determine it’s long term vision for South Austin, and to relaunch under a new name, St Patrick’s.
“New church planting is the only way that we can be sure we are going to increase the number of believers in a city and one of the best ways to renew the whole body of Christ.”
— Tim Keller, Why Plant Churches