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
Meet the Team
Mrs. Ann Fariss
Parish Administrator
Originally from Philadelphia, Ann is recently 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 past 15 years.
Our Vestry
Bryan Lance, Sr. Warden
Titus Mataban, Jr. Warden
Nancy Starner, Treasurer
Susan Considine, Registrar
Rick Reinders
Liz Lowe
Ron Cox
Donna Hansen
David Kreider
Jill Horn
Katie Corbin
Jackie Weschler