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.
Stewardship
Our Stewardship Campaign: Tell Out My Soul will continue through Sunday, November 9, when we will gather and bless our pledge cards in a special act of worship. Each week during this season, we will share reflections to help us explore the deep connection between gratitude and generosity.
The theme, Tell Out, My Soul, comes from Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). Upon learning she would bear the Son of God, Mary responds not with fear or doubt, but with a joyful eruption of praise, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord. Her song reminds us that stewardship begins not with numbers on a page, but with a grateful heart. Our giving is our own song of praise—the way we “tell out” the goodness of God in our lives.
Just as Mary offered her life, we are invited to offer our gifts back to God during the Eucharist. When we bring bread, wine, and our financial offerings to the altar, we are offering ourselves—our labor, our time, our talents, our very souls—trusting that God will bless and multiply them for the sake of the Kingdom.
The simple truth is that the Church of the Ascension cannot exist without the generosity of its people. Every hour of time, every talent shared, every dollar given makes possible our worship, our ministries, and our care for one another. Your pledge fuels our mission, sustains our sacred spaces, and keeps our community a beacon of God’s love in Westminster.
During this Stewardship season, I invite you to reflect on the blessings you have received through Ascension, and to give thanks for the generations of faithful stewards who, since 1844, have built and sustained this parish. Now it is our turn to add our voices to that chorus of generosity.
Our goal this year is 100% participation. We hope that every member of our parish family will return a pledge card. No gift is too small, and no gift is too large. What matters is your participation. Every pledge is a statement of faith, belonging, and gratitude.
Let us join our voices and our gifts together. May our collective generosity be a joyful song that supports the mission and ministry of Ascension in the year to come.
Tell Out, My Soul!
Faithfully,
Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson
