Our History
Ascension Episcopal Church is a member Parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Ascension was founded in 1961, became a Mission in 1962, and became a Parish in 1966. It since grew to establish a school in 1972. In the late 1980s the current sanctuary and parish life building was constructed. As of 2013 we are debt free and focusing our energy on great pastoral care, excellent worship, outreach to the poor, and growth in the church community.
Ascension’s history began in 1956, with the purchase of 10 acres of land near the intersection of Westheimer and Seagler roads, in west Houston. A one-half acre parcel was sold to Shell Oil Company,recouping most of the original purchase price. A petition to organize our church was signed by 17 founders in April 1961, and a mission was established on May 11, 1961 – Ascension Day. The Rev. Hubert Palmer from Holy Spirit provided pastoral care and served as Interim Rector until a rector was called. The new church initially met in a cemetery chapel while a small sanctuary and classrooms were built. The Rev. A.W. Rollins became the rector of Ascension in 1963. Diocesan council granted our petition for parish status in 1965. A new parish hall and education building were built in 1966 and a new rector, Carl S. Shannon, Jr. presided as rector. Under the leadership of the Rev. Sidney J. Gervais, the parish day school opened in 1972.
With the Rev. Albert S. Lawrence Jr. serving as rector in 1981, we constructed a 10,700 square-foot, 320 seat sanctuary. A 16,000 square-foot parish hall was dedicated in 1988. Highlighting our 2000 annual meeting was the burning of the mortgage note.
During the tenure of the Rev. Dr. Walter Ellis two generous gifts provided a passenger elevator (installed in 2001), and a covered walkway from the parking lot to the church to the Parish Life Building, which was completed in 2009. A two-tiered fountain was built in the courtyard area. A Memorial walkway was installed commemorating the Church of the Ascension’s 50th Anniversary.
The Rev. Todd Bryant was called to Ascension in 2011. He and his family bring a missionary zeal to reach out in the name of Christ to the neighborhoods surrounding Ascension. At the end of his first year, major structural renovation of the sanctuary was completed. He looks forward to leading the church into a new era of growth in worship and engagement with the needs of our community.
Ascension’s history began in 1956, with the purchase of 10 acres of land near the intersection of Westheimer and Seagler roads, in west Houston. A one-half acre parcel was sold to Shell Oil Company,recouping most of the original purchase price. A petition to organize our church was signed by 17 founders in April 1961, and a mission was established on May 11, 1961 – Ascension Day. The Rev. Hubert Palmer from Holy Spirit provided pastoral care and served as Interim Rector until a rector was called. The new church initially met in a cemetery chapel while a small sanctuary and classrooms were built. The Rev. A.W. Rollins became the rector of Ascension in 1963. Diocesan council granted our petition for parish status in 1965. A new parish hall and education building were built in 1966 and a new rector, Carl S. Shannon, Jr. presided as rector. Under the leadership of the Rev. Sidney J. Gervais, the parish day school opened in 1972.
With the Rev. Albert S. Lawrence Jr. serving as rector in 1981, we constructed a 10,700 square-foot, 320 seat sanctuary. A 16,000 square-foot parish hall was dedicated in 1988. Highlighting our 2000 annual meeting was the burning of the mortgage note.
During the tenure of the Rev. Dr. Walter Ellis two generous gifts provided a passenger elevator (installed in 2001), and a covered walkway from the parking lot to the church to the Parish Life Building, which was completed in 2009. A two-tiered fountain was built in the courtyard area. A Memorial walkway was installed commemorating the Church of the Ascension’s 50th Anniversary.
The Rev. Todd Bryant was called to Ascension in 2011. He and his family bring a missionary zeal to reach out in the name of Christ to the neighborhoods surrounding Ascension. At the end of his first year, major structural renovation of the sanctuary was completed. He looks forward to leading the church into a new era of growth in worship and engagement with the needs of our community.
