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Category: Local Events Local Events
Published: 27 October 2014 27 October 2014

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd will hold its 110th Annual Bazaar on Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 9:00am to 1:00pm in the church Parish Hall on the corner of Texas and Arizona Streets. The Garage Sale part of the Bazaar, held in the garage next door to the church, will open at 8:00am!

The Bazaar, or as it used to be called, the "Fair," of the Church of the Good Shepherd has run every year since 1904 and, sporadically, even earlier than that. According to the Silver City Enterprise, November 25, 1904, "The ladies of the Episcopal Guild will give a holiday tea on Saturday, December 17, from 4 to 9 pm at the Palace Hotel. In addition to the tea, there will be an exchange at which homemade bread, cakes, pies, and doughnuts will be on sale." In another Enterprise article, dated November 1, 1929, the guild advertised for a bazaar to be held on December 7 in the Masonic Hall. "Fancy work, home-canned foods, a grab bag and quilts" were on the list of items for sale. Even farther back, in an article found in the Silver City Enterprise, dated November 26, 1886: "The Ladies Working Guild of the Episcopal Church will give a fair on Tuesday evening, December 21, 1886."

In the beginning these Bazaars were billed as "Teas" and "Sociables" with homemade items, mostly food items, being on sale. Most of the proceeds from these early events went to build and furnish the new church building. However, one interesting event in April 1906 was a Bazaar in which the proceeds of $302.55 were sent to the "San Francisco Sufferers."

From 1945 through the 1960s there were three guilds at Good Shepherd; the Mary Guild, the Martha Guild and the Elizabeth Guild. During this period the Bazaar was co-sponsored by these guilds and the proceeds went to the upkeep of the rectory, the yard maintenance, articles for the church, and money for mission work with the Indians of New Mexico. These Bazaars were held, for the most part, in the Murray Hotel and each guild dispensed its proceeds as it saw fit.

In the 1970s, the Bazaar became an "All Church" affair. The men and children became more involved and the proceeds became more widely distributed in the community. This year's Bazaar will feature a wide variety of baked goods, handmade crafts, Nancy Wyatt's unique and very popular pottery, Bazaar collectibles and antiques, all sorts of books, and, of course, the ever popular Garage Sale in the Good Shepherd House garage. The Bazaar has become known for its brunch, offering omelets, desserts, ham and turkey sandwiches and homemade soups. Come for breakfast and stay for lunch!

All proceeds benefit the community, support youth activities, world missions and church ministries. For 110 years the Bazaar has brought the church and the community together for the service of all.

See you there!