The mission Church of the Good Shepherd was dedicated by Archbishop John Cardinal Farley on March 26, 1903.

Prior to 1862, Catholics is the area near Rhinecliff had to cross the river to attend services at St. Mary's in Rondout.

[4] Originally the intent was to build on the northwest corner of Livingston and Mulberry Streets in Rhinebeck, but the lot was sold when the residents of Rhinecliff objected.

In 1863 George Rogers of Tivoli bought six acres in Rhincliff from Charles H. Russell and deeded them to Father Skully for a church and cemetery.

The church, built in 1864,[2] was designed by local architect George Veitch, with John Bird as master mason.

The symmetrical five-bay double-height church has a three-stage tower fronting its forward gable, supporting a shingled needle spire.