The front entrance..

It could be in Paris!

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).