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.
Free Summer Programs
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Free Summer Programs
July 14 - July 25, 2025
Join us for our Free Summer Programs, designed to inspire creativity and learning in children aged 4–13, with select activities available for teens up to 18. These sessions run 1–3 hours and cover a variety of engaging topics.
Programs are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from July 14-July 25.
For a detailed schedule, please click the Summer Programs Schedule
button at the top of the page.
Drama Camp
August 11 - August 22, 2025
Totally RED!
Dive into the world of theater with our Drama Camp, featuring the play Totally RED! by Dinah Toups. This unique retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" explores various theatrical styles, including melodrama, Shakespearean, '80s hip-hop, and avant-garde. The camp culminates in a final performance showcasing the children's hard work and creativity.
Age Groups:
Tiny Thespians: Grades K–3
MainStage Collective: Grades 4–9
A half-day program, where, in addition to learning a play from an experienced drama teacher, the children enjoy theme related games, music, art and other fun activities. The play is presented on the evening of the last day.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will not be offered during summer 2025.
We look forward to bringing this cherished program back in the future.
A one-week, ½ day program centered on getting to know Jesus. The curriculum involves singing, storytelling, games, videos, crafts, snacks and more.