Above is a historic look at Ascension from 1888.

 Church History

     In 1855, Episcopal families met in the home of Judge F.P. Stevens on the corner of Delaware and Barker Street to worship God. These families determined to establish a parish on the north side of the city limits on North Street. Directly facing Franklin Street, parishioners erected a primitive frame chapel and began worship on the first Sunday in February. On April 9, 1855, the Church of the Ascenison is incorporated. In 1898 the church constructed a rectory on Linwood Avenue for the cost of $3,600. On May 9, 1872, on Ascension Day, the Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe lays the first corner stone of the Brownstone Church. The building cost was about $37,000. (This is the present day church). April 13, 1873, services are held in the new church for the fisrt time on Easter Sunday. The original pipe organ was purchased in 1876 from Hook & Hastings. July 1, 1920, the first corner stone is laid for the parish House. (Present day Parish Hall). In 1934 the present day pipe organ was purchased from the W.W. Kimball Pipe Organ Company of Chicago. In 1955, the church basement is renovated into the kitchen and dining rooms used today known as Broughton Hall. 

A complete history of the Episcoal Church of the Ascension will be on display during the Open House and periodically through out the year.   

This is a picture of the chancel as it looked in July of 1889.