Good Shepherd
Center
Address: 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North
Date Built: 1906
Original Architect/Builder: C. Alfred Breitung
Description: Fine example of the Italianate style embellished
with Corinthian capitals and elaborate stone work.
Original Owners: Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
Historic Seattle's Role:
The Good Shepherd Center / Photo: Historic Seattle Archives
After providing over 60 years of service to young women seeking
shelter, education, and training, declining numbers of residents
forced the Home of the Good Shepherd to close in 1973. After
the Wallingford community defeated a proposal to turn the 11-acre
site into a shopping center, the City of Seattle bought the
property in 1975 with Forward Thrust and Federal Revenue Sharing
funds and then transferred the buildings to Historic Seattle
for use as a multi-purpose community center. The project is
listed in the National Register of Historic Places and gained Offical City of Seattle Landmark
status on September 10, 1984 (Ord. # 111882).
Current and Future Uses:
The property is owned and operated by Historic Seattle and
the center currently houses nonprofit organizations and schools including the Meridian School, Neo Art School, the Wallingford
Senior Center, the Alliance Française, and Seattle
Tilth.
Historic Seattle added six live/work units for artists in
early 2002. Ranging in size from 580 to 650 sq. feet,
the artist studios are located in a space once used
for the school's dance classes and costume storage. The artist
residents are a diverse group and bring much creativity
and enthusiasm to the Good Shepherd Center community.
Current and Future Uses:
The Good Shepherd Center / Photo: Marissa Natkin
Historic Seattle also completed a small performance and
rehearsal space with a seating capacityof 100-150 in the former fourth
floor chapel. Accessible by elevator, this beautiful, two-story
space features wooden floors, columns, and stained glass.
Historic Seattle partnered with NonSequitur, a music production non-profit, who not only stages twelve of their own performances per month, but serves as booking agent for other community events and performances in the Chapel.
Learn more about meeting room rental, tenant leasing information and other frequently asked questions regarding the Good Shepherd Center.
On July 22nd, 2007 Historic Seattle held a celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of Good Shepherd Center. Learn more about the centennial celebration and download a pdf of the commemorative program (pdf).
Mark Willson left in September 2011 after serving as the Operations Manager at Good Shepherd Center for 23 years. See Mark's Farewell.