633 sligo avenue, silver spring, md 20910
633 sligo avenue, silver spring, md 20910
The Church of the Ascension is a multicultural community committed to bringing the Good News of Christ to our neighbors.
To cultivate the gifts of all the faithful and to nurture God's Kingdom in East Silver Spring and beyond.
At Church of the Ascension, a joyfully diverse and inclusive community finds common ground in Eucharistic worship.
Together we deepen our relationship with Christ through spiritual practices. We grow through prayerful exploration and education for all ages. We pursue justice, freedom, and peace for all people and preserve the resources of the earth. We strive to be responsible stewards of our communal blessings.
Nurtured by God's constant love, we hold arms and hearts ever open as we deepen and expand our welcome to friends, neighbors and strangers.
The Reverend Dr. J. Henning Nelms, the rector of Grace Episcopal Church, felt there was a need for a church within Silver Spring proper. He suggested to Mrs. Mary Deffinbaugh, who conducted a private kindergarten in her home, that she gather children of the community for a children's choir. The Children's Church soon had a choir of 65 children.
With the approval of the Bishop of Washington, the church became known as Holy Innocents Mission. At first, the mission meetings were community services attended by people of all faiths.
At first, the mission church met in the armory (now the firehouse on Georgia Avenue). Soon, the congregation became so large that a building of its own was needed. U.S. Senator Blair Lee and his sons, Blair and E. Brooke, gave three lots on Silver Spring Avenue for a church building. The Diocese of Washington then purchased three adjoining lots on Sligo Avenue.
A white frame structure was built on the location of the current parish hall. Dr. Nelms had hoped the church would be named Holy Innocents, since it was started for and by children. Members of the mission, however, chose the name Ascension as a memorial to Dr. Nelms, who had been a rector at Ascension, D.C.
The first service was held in the mission chapel on Sunday, June 23, 1929. The church bell which was first rung for this service hangs today on the church sign on Silver Spring Avenue.
The frame chapel soon became inadequate for a growing congregation, so the Diocese decided to erect a building on the lots facing Sligo Avenue. Groundbreaking took place on June 8, the cornerstone was laid on July 2, and the first service in the new building was held on Thanksgiving Day, November 27.
Ascension became an independent parish in the Diocese of Washington in 1938.
The rectory was built in 1949. In 1998, it became known as Ascension House and is now home to the parish offices as well as various parish activities.
The parish hall, which was built in 1954, is of the same architectural design as the church. Classrooms, a nursery, and a general purpose hall are located here.
To provide space for growing church programs and improve accessibility to the church and parish hall, the parish drew up architectural plans for renovations and expansion of the parish hall. Groundbreaking took place in December 1998, and the renovations were completed in the fall of 2002.
The Church of Ascension today is a growing, vibrant parish of over 300 people of all ages and backgrounds. The worship includes traditional and contemporary services. The parish is committed to Christian formation for all ages as well as ministries to serve the needs of the neighborhood and the world.
Within the diocese: The Church of the Ascension is part of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States and is in the Diocese of Washington, Region IV.
Within the parish: The Vestry is the parish governing body.
At the Annual Meeting: Other elections held at the Annual Meeting include delegates to the Diocesan Convention, who are elected every other year. During the meeting, key items such as parish budget are presented to the parish.