West Springfield, Massachusetts

Church of the Good Shepherd         214 Elm Street,

West Springfield, MA 01089 USA

Located in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, the town of West Springfield borders the western shore of the Connecticut River. Originally established as a farming settlement in 1636 it was incorporated in 1774. Formerly, it was an extension of Springfield on the East Side of the river. Today, West Springfield is a mature and stable community with a population of over 28,000 residents that geographically encompasses over 17 square miles.

West Springfield is an ethnically diverse community with a growing population of immigrants from Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, South America, and the countries that formed the former Soviet Union. In 2000, West Springfield elected the first mayor of the town, having previously been governed by town council. The socioeconomic stra are also diverse with a predominance of the middle class. Over half the population owns their homes and the majority of those are single-family. The median housing cose in West Springfield is $129,000 and the average cost through the end of 2001 was $149,500.

West Springfield is convenient to three major routes that provide easy access to the wide assortment of opportunities available in Boston, Hartford, and New York City. Even though there is easy access to major highway systems, traffic is by in large free of congestion within the confines of West Springfield. The Massachusetts Turnpike (Route I-90) runs east to Boston and west through the scenic Berkshires of Western Massachusetts to New York State.

Commercial air transportation is readily available at Bradley International Airport which is only 25 minutes south of West Springfield. Amtrak trains service the Boston to New York corridor and are used to economically visit the attractions in these major cities. Also, a bus terminal in the city of Springfield provides transportation to all the major cities in the Northeast.

The climate offers a pleasant and gradual transition throughout all four seasons. January is one of the colder months with the average temperature being 28.5 degrees. Summers are temperate with the average temperature being 74 degrees.

Twenty-four houses of worship represent the religious community. The Church of the Good Shepherd has prided itself on being a cooperative congregation within the larger Christian Community and is a member of the West Springfield Parish Association.

Excellent medical facilities such as Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Hospital are situated in nearby Springfield. Other reputable hospitals and specialty clinics are located in neighboring communites in the Greater Springfield region. West Springfield is a smoke-free town, which bans smoking in restaurants and other public institutions.

The West Springfield public school system begins educating children with a NAEYC accredited early childhood program that is located with the kindergarten program in the John Ashley Early Childhood and Kindergarten Center.

There are six elementary schools, one middle school, one senior high school, and one parochial elementary school. Over 4,000 students are offered a curriculum of courses and programs that are consistent with the Massachusetts Curriculum education. Many of the finest colleges and universities are located in New England. In the regard, residents of West Springfield are very fortunate to have easy access to a variety of educational opportunities.

The region's economy is not dependent on any one industry. There is a diverse business and economic base for residents to seek employment. Major corporations that have corporate offices in the region are Spaulding, Inc., Mass Mutual Insurance Company, Milton Bradley, and Partt & Whitney. Residents of West Springfield primarily work in the wholesale and retail trade, service industry, or manufacuring sectors.

West Springfield is home to the famous Eastern States Exposition (Big E), which hosts the New England regional fair in September. It is one of the nations largest agricultural fairs. Storrowton Village, a recreated village of colonial America, is a permanent attraction at the Big E fairgrounds. Other cultural activities in the area include the Theatre Project in West Springfield, the Springfield Symphony, and City Stage, both of which are located in Springfield.

In West Springfield Mittneague Park provides many outdoor activities. There are three swimming pools, tennis courts, and several skating rinks in the community, which are open to families in season. The overall region offers excellent trails for hiking and outdoor enjoyment, for example, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains of Vermont, or even closer the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts are common weekend excursions. Golf is a popular seasonal sport that is enjoyed by many because of the availability of well-maintained public courses. New England is proud to be the home of many of the finest ski resorts in the country where skiing and snowboarding are popular.

Directions to the Church 

Take Massachusetts Route 20 West to Elm Street. Bear right on Elm Street. The Church can be found about 1 mile on the right.