THOMASVILLE — The Church of the Good Shepherd, 511 N. Oak St., will celebrate its 125th anniversary with events Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday at 4 p.m., the lives and legacies of Margaret Catching and Father Robert Perry will be remembered. Refreshments will be served afterward.

Catching was born in Thomasville in 1913. She received her early education in Thomasville and advanced educational training at Albany State College in Albany. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Camilla and Jesup.

Catching taught at Good Shepherd Episcopal Parochial School. The parochial school educated many of Thomasville’s African-American children until the public school system made provisions for them.

Father Robert Nathaniel Perry was born in 1881, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and attended Johnson C. Smith University. He was a vicar of the Church of the Good Shepherd, where he served for 32 years. He was a leader in the black community in Thomasville from the 1930s through the 1950s.

Perry convinced Catching to work with him at Good Shepherd School after his wife’s health was failing. Together, they worked to keep the school’s doors open.

Catching wrote continuously to the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia requesting funding and support to keep the school open. After many unsuccessful attempts, Catching finally got the bishop/diocese’s attention. In doing so, she secured necessary funding for supplies and books.

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church was organized in 1893, 28 years after the conclusion of the Civil War. When the church opened, a group of 27 African American Episcopalians were its congregants.

Said Lauretta Gibbs Hadley, church senior warden, “It’s truly a joy for me to see Good Shepherd observe 125 years of stewardship, discipleship and service to this community. I’m proud to be a very small part of its long and distinguished history. I look forward to celebrating with our friends, neighbors, and congregants.”

The anniversary celebration continues on Sunday morning at 9 with Holy Eucharist. A community picnic will take place on Sunday afternoon at 4.

All events are open to the public.