1868
October 1868
Springfield Presbytery - Centre Creek Congregation
Licentiate present - J.C. Shepherd

"Bro. J. C. Shepherd presented his letter of dismission & recommendation from St. Louis Presbytery which was satisfactory."

"It was moved and decided that Bros. Henderson, Rice & Shepherd be set apart to the whole work of the Ministry by ordination during the present sessions of Presbytery and that Bro, Shepherd preach his trial sermon at the hour of 10 AM on Monday. Bro. Rice at 11 A.M. & Bro. Henderson at 3 P.M. And that Bro. Garrett preach the ordination sermon & Bro. Ames preside & give the charge."

"10 oclock having arrived Presby. proceeded to hear the discourses of the Probationers for ordination which all satisfactory. After which Bro. Garrett preached the ordination sermon. Where the Presby. proceeded to their ordination.
At. Centre Creek Jasper County Mo. on the 5th day of October A.D. 1868. Springfield Presby. of the C.P. Church having received testimonials of Bros. P. A. Rice, T. H. Henderson & J. C. Shepherd as to their good moral character, of their being in the communion of the church, proceeded to take the usual parts of trial for their ordination. And they having given satisfaction as to their aptness to teach; as to their experimental acquaintance with religion, as to their internal call to the ministry and as to their proficiency in Divinity, Presby. did and do hereby _______ their approbation of all those parts of trial; and, they have adopted the Confession of Faith of this Church,and satisfactorily answered the questions appointed to be put to Candidates for ordination. Presb. did & do hereby set them the said P. A. Rice, T. A. Henderson & J. C. Shepherd apart to the whole work of the ministry by prayers and the laying on the hands of the Presby. And their names were enrolled as members of the Presbytery.

[Source: Minutes of Springfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1868, pages 290, 292, 296, 297, 298]

1869
March 1869
Springfield Presbytery - Springfield, Missouri
"On motion the stated clerk was ordered to furnish letters of Dismission & Recommendation to Bros. D. Hogan, J. A. Ward, & J. C. Shepherd."
[Source: Minutes of Springfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 1869, pages 313-314]

1872
October 4, 1872
Springfield Presbytery - Pleasant Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Wright County, Missouri
"Rev. J. C. Shepherd, who had in 1870 obtained a letter of dismission and recommendation from this Presbytery returned the same, and his reasons for retaining said letter more than twelve months, was satisfactory."
[Source: Minutes of Springfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 4, 1872, page 381]

1873
J. C. Sheppard - _______ Mo
Minister - Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 101]

1874
J. C. Sheppard - Brookline, Mo
Minister - Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 101]

1875
Directory used 1874 statistics for Springfield Presbytery

1876
Shepard, J. C., Brookline, Mo.
Minister - Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876, page 95]

1877
Shepard, J. C., Brookline, Mo.
Minister - Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 91]

1878
Shepard, J. C., Brookline, Mo.
Minister - Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1878, page 99]

1879
Directory used 1878 statistics for Springfield Presbytery

1880
Shepard, J. C., Brookline, Mo.
Minister - Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1880, page 123]

1881
Directory used 1880 statistics for Springfield Presbytery.

1882
Directory used 1880 statistics for Springfield Presbytery.

1883
J. C. Shepard - Greenfield, Mo.
Commissioner to General Assembly from Springfield Presbytery
May 17-24, 1883 - Nashville, Tennessee
Served on Committee on the Minutes of Oregon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1883, pages 6, 9 & 115 ]

1884
Directory used 1880 statistics for Springfield Presbytery.

1885
Shepard, J. C., Mansfield, Mo.
Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 137]

1886
Shepard, J. C., Pleasant Hope, Mo.
Springfield Presbytery - Ozark Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 166

1887
April 1887
Springfield Presbytery - Brookline Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Brookline, Missouri
"Stated Clerk was ordered to give to Rev. J. C. Shepherd a letter of dismission and recommendation whenever he may call for it.
[Source: Minutes of Springfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1887, page 375]

1887
Directory used 1886 statistics for Springfield Presbytery.