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.
Our Clergy and Staff
The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson
Rector
A native of Rochefort, France, Fr. Pierre-Henry served 5 years as a sergeant in the French Army before entering seminary. Ordained a priest on June 25, 1990 for the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Rochelle he served several parishes. In 1996, Pierre-Henry resigned his position and proposed to Sophie. They married and moved to Bordeaux where he worked for a local gas company in various capacities. Received in Episcopal Church in 2000, he and his wife planted the French-speaking Episcopal Mission Saint Martin, in Bordeaux. At the invitation of his bishop, Pierre-Henry, along with Sophie and their 3 children Raphael, Pauline, and Clement, moved to Alexandria, VA to study at Virginia Theological Seminary. After graduation in 2010, he served several churches in Maryland, Arizona and Virginia, before answering the call to be rector of Ascension and began his ministry in August 2023. The whole family became US citizens in 2018. Fr. Pierre-Henry is passionate to share the Good News of Jesus with all, and feels Ascension is where he and his family belong.
Ann Fariss
Parish Administrator
Originally from Philadelphia, Ann is retired from Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she worked as a Registered Nurse and Clinical Systems Analyst. After living in the south for 20 years, she and husband, Jim, have been very happy in Carroll County
for the last 19 years.
Donna Parker
Praise Ensemble Director
After serving in the U.S. Army and completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Donna served church communities for over 30 years as a Director of Music and Liturgy as well as serving on pastoral care teams. As a multi-instrumentalist, choral conductor, and vocalist, she has had the great pleasure of working with devoted and energetic music ministers who were focused on engaging parishes in worship and encouraging full and active participation of all members. As a retired licensed pastoral counselor and musician, Donna is especially focused on the continuing spiritual and musical growth of parish music volunteers. Donna has a bachelor’s equivalency in general music with a focus on conducting and an MS/Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in MD.
Lynn Lyon-Vaiden
Communications Associate & Handbell Choir Director
Lynn's communications skills were honed while employed in offices at Glyndon United Methodist Church and Garrison Forest School and in her current job as Executive Assistant for the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling.
Lynn began ringing handbells in 1979 when her church purchased five octaves of handbells. She has directed handbell choirs at schools and churches since 1983 and has attended many national and regional handbell festivals and directors’ seminars. Lynn has directed the Ascension Handbell Choir since 1997 and previously directed the Handbell Choir at St. Timothy’s School. (Stevenson, MD). Lynn is a member of Handbell Musicians of America.
Lynn has a bachelor's degree as well as a Certificate in Office Technology.
Mary Butler
Organist and Choir Director
Mary Butler has been a church musician since she was a child. She plays piano and organ and loves playing all types of music: classical and contemporary. She feels called to use music to help people come closer to God in worship.
She is a graduate of Loyola College and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland. She is a retired teacher and enjoys living on a horse farm in Lineboro with ponies, horses and many cats.
Travis Collins
Digital Ministry Associate
Travis Collins is a Westminster native and a graduate of Carroll County Career and Technology Center and Sheffield Institute of the Recording Arts for filmmaking. He enjoys working on films with narrative, with a particular knack for set lighting. He loves games, cats, comedy, music, and doing anything that utilizes his mind.
Suzanne Walter
Nursery Attendant
Suzanne has more than 30 years of working with children in Maryland and Iowa. She holds a Certificate in Childcare from Howard Community College. She attends to the children (ages 0-4) during the 10:15 am service and other times as needed.
Our Vestry
The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson, Rector
Kim Tompkins, Senior Warden
Gary Lang, Junior Warden
Nancy Starner, Treasurer
Deborah Rio, Registrar
Liz Lowe
Roberta Wilhelm
Beverly Baker
Diana Baker
David Anderson
Mark Howe
Melissa Leahy