Our History
We praise God for his work in us since 1843.
The Church of the Ascension began its journey on November 28, 1843, when a small group of concerned local Episcopalians met for the purpose of organizing a congregation in Westminster, which at the time was a small village with a population of approximately 500. In May 1844, the Diocesan Convention, held in Baltimore, voted to grant the formal organization of the “Parish of Ascension.” Fundraising began and in August 1844 ground was broken on our Stone Church. In May 1846, on Ascension Day, Church of the Ascension was consecrated.
Stone Church "Then"
This original building, now affectionately referred to as the Stone Church, exemplifies the Neo-Gothic architectural style advocated by the Ecclesiological Society in the 19th century. The Stone Church has been modified only slightly in the past 170-plus years, and is recognized as an historic property by the Maryland Historical Trust.
Vision Statement
Ascension is called to be a Family of Faith so reflecting the life of Christ that we draw all people to Him. We live out this vision by providing opportunities for all people to Connect with God and one another, Grow in faith and understanding, and Serve one another and the world around us, both near and far. In all this, we are guided by our core values of prayer, participation, and patience.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide opportunities for all people to Connect, Grow, and Serve in the name of Christ.
“…we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.”
(Ephesians 4:15-16).
Ascension's People
Glorify God
Since our humble beginnings in 1844, Church of the Ascension has grown from five families to over one hundred ninety active families. We are a diverse group of people united by a common desire to learn and practice what it means to be followers of Jesus in the 21st Century. We come from a variety of backgrounds – culturally, socially, politically, religiously, professionally, etc. While some of our members were born and raised in the Episcopal Church, a majority of our members were raised in other denominations such as Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. Once they found Ascension, they decided to make it their spiritual home. We are a welcoming, loving, and generous group of people; always striving to be a blessing to one another and the world around us.
At Church of the Ascension, we value and care alike for the young and old, long-time attenders and new comers, strong believers and skeptics, committed and loosely affiliated. We believe everyone who comes our way is a gift from God to enrich our lives even as we seek to enrich their lives. If you are looking for a spiritual home, please know that you are welcome at Church of the Ascension.
Join Us
We are happy to have you here!
Attend a worship service or join us at an event, ask questions, and let us show you our church and get to know you. Come and explore how you many Connect, Grow, and Serve with us. For information about becoming a member of Ascension, simply call the parish office at 410-848-3251 or email us and someone will be happy to help you establish Ascension as your new church home. Also feel free to checkout our Facebook Page on: @Ascension.Westminster