The Church of the Ascension in Stillwater has been called the “mother” congregation of the Diocese of Minnesota and has a rich history dating back to 1846. The congregation that would become Ascension started meeting in June of that year, led by the Rev. Eleazer Alley Greenleaf, and met in various parishioners' homes. Within two years, there had been baptisms, weddings, and confirmations in this growing church family.
When it came time to build a church, the cornerstone for the first building was laid on Ascension Day in 1851. It was located just north of the current Lowell Inn, and this first church building was consecrated in the summer of 1853.
A stone baptismal font was placed in the church, having been shipped by riverboat. This original font now resides in Ascension's Margaret Rivers Chapel.
While navigating the ups and downs of the economy over the years, Ascension became self-supporting through the generosity of many families that are still familiar names in the Stillwater area. These include the Bates, Burkleo, Butts, Bronson, Capron, Conrad, Curtis, Doe, Folsom, Farmer, Hospes, Johnson, McKusick, McCluer, Register, Scott, Shaesby, Staples, Torinus, and Wheeler families.
The consecration of the second church building took place on August 26, 1875. Renovations in 1886 included the acquisition of a new pipe organ, and on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1887, a grand celebration was held in the newly restored church. Unfortunately, that same night, the church was struck by lightning, caught fire, and burned to the ground. Only a few items survived the fire, including the stone font from the original church, the brass eagle lectern (still in use today), and the lectern Bible, pulled from the flames by parishioner Matt Clark.
Reconstruction of the church began that summer on the previous foundation, and one year after the fire, the new building was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1888. That is the structure in which we worship today.
Music and youth have long been part of Ascension’s tradition. A simple building for teaching was built around 1849 (before the first church building), a girls club was founded in 1894 and a boys club was founded in 1902. Between 1910 and 1912, a men and boys’ choir of 56 singers was formed. The first parish hall opened in 1925 and it was the desire that it be open to the entire community, and especially the youth, regardless of their church affiliation. The Sunday school grew to over 100 students at this time. In the 1950, there were additional renovations to the undercroft and basement of the parish hall for classrooms and a dedicated youth space. During the 1970's additional clergy and lay leaders were commissioned to lead the growing youth ministry. Under the leadership of long-time music director Nancy Whipkey, Ascension’s youth choir numbered over 50 singers. Today, our children and youth grow as disciples of Jesus through wonder, play, and engaging the mystery of faith, and our diverse music program included the choir, instrumental ensemble, handbell choir and various musical guests.
We are proud of our building and grounds, from our beautiful Tiffany stained-glass windows to our musical instruments (a Dobson pipe organ and a 1922 Steinway grand), and from our signature bell tower to the new Erickson Plaza behind the church, a place for community gathering.
However, what we are most proud of is our unwavering faith and our enduring commitment for 180 years to ministering to the Stillwater community through Christian service. Numerous community outreach projects and organizations have their roots at Ascension.
While times have changed, our faith remains constant. We believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. We believe that God loves you—no expectations.
We look forward to meeting you!