History of the Ascension Parish
The Church of the Ascension just celebrated 169 years of service to the Fall River
community and looks forward to continuing this work through the next century. Wayne
C.Vogler, Church Historian, wrote a wonderful account of Ascension’s history. Here is a
brief extract of that accounting.
The first known Episcopal service in Fall River was held on a Sunday evening in 1835
in the Unitarian House of Worship, with Rev. James C. Richmond in charge. This
service gave impetus to the desire to have an Episcopal Church in Fall River.
Subsequently, our own parish was formed at a meeting in the Methodist Episcopal
Church on July 13th, 1836. Among those in attendance were Mr. Pratt, Rev. Mr. West,
Rev. Stephen Elliot (later to be Bishop of Georgia) and the Rev. J.P. Fenner of St.
Paul's Church, Portsmouth, R.I.
The name "Church of the Ascension" was taken at the suggestion of Bishop Alexander
Griswold of the Eastern Diocese which at that time included all of New England except
Connecticut. The Rev. Patrick Greenleaf came in a missionary capacity and was
named minister-in-charge on November 6th, 1836.
Although the parish was organized, it was not until May 1st, 1837 that it actually was
incorporated. The Rev. George Maxwell Randle, later first missionary Bishop of
Colorado, became the first Rector on July 22, 1838. He had been ordained just five
days before. He was the eldest son of Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Samuel
Randall of Warren, RI.
Other instrumental rectorships at Ascension have included; Rev. Amos D. McCoy who
was instrumental in organizing Christ Church in 1846. The Rev. A. McElroy Wiley took
a leave of absence for the summer of 1865 and went to England where he raised
pledges and donations for a new church. The Rev. Emelius W. Smith who as Rector
established St. James Church in 1884, St. Mark's Church in 1886, St. Stephen's
Church in 1896 and St. Luke's Church in 1897.
The present church building was consecrated on Ascension Day, May 23rd, 1895 by
Bishop Lawrence. On October 1st, 1963 the congregation of St. James Church (North
Main Street) merged with the Ascension. The windows, altar, and other furnishings of
St. James were incorporated in the remodeling and extension of the former choir room
into St. James Chapel. It was dedicated on May 16th, 1965 by the Rev. Frederick C.
Lawrence.
Recent years have seen the establishment of the Ascension Thrift Shop to help the
needy of the area. The Godly play room and nursery was established to nourish the
younger members of the congregation. The laity continues to support the Ascension
rectors, expand community outreach and come together as a loving and supportive
family.
The Church of the Ascension just celebrated 169 years of service to the Fall River
community and looks forward to continuing this work through the next century. Wayne
C.Vogler, Church Historian, wrote a wonderful account of Ascension’s history. Here is a
brief extract of that accounting.
The first known Episcopal service in Fall River was held on a Sunday evening in 1835
in the Unitarian House of Worship, with Rev. James C. Richmond in charge. This
service gave impetus to the desire to have an Episcopal Church in Fall River.
Subsequently, our own parish was formed at a meeting in the Methodist Episcopal
Church on July 13th, 1836. Among those in attendance were Mr. Pratt, Rev. Mr. West,
Rev. Stephen Elliot (later to be Bishop of Georgia) and the Rev. J.P. Fenner of St.
Paul's Church, Portsmouth, R.I.
The name "Church of the Ascension" was taken at the suggestion of Bishop Alexander
Griswold of the Eastern Diocese which at that time included all of New England except
Connecticut. The Rev. Patrick Greenleaf came in a missionary capacity and was
named minister-in-charge on November 6th, 1836.
Although the parish was organized, it was not until May 1st, 1837 that it actually was
incorporated. The Rev. George Maxwell Randle, later first missionary Bishop of
Colorado, became the first Rector on July 22, 1838. He had been ordained just five
days before. He was the eldest son of Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Samuel
Randall of Warren, RI.
Other instrumental rectorships at Ascension have included; Rev. Amos D. McCoy who
was instrumental in organizing Christ Church in 1846. The Rev. A. McElroy Wiley took
a leave of absence for the summer of 1865 and went to England where he raised
pledges and donations for a new church. The Rev. Emelius W. Smith who as Rector
established St. James Church in 1884, St. Mark's Church in 1886, St. Stephen's
Church in 1896 and St. Luke's Church in 1897.
The present church building was consecrated on Ascension Day, May 23rd, 1895 by
Bishop Lawrence. On October 1st, 1963 the congregation of St. James Church (North
Main Street) merged with the Ascension. The windows, altar, and other furnishings of
St. James were incorporated in the remodeling and extension of the former choir room
into St. James Chapel. It was dedicated on May 16th, 1965 by the Rev. Frederick C.
Lawrence.
Recent years have seen the establishment of the Ascension Thrift Shop to help the
needy of the area. The Godly play room and nursery was established to nourish the
younger members of the congregation. The laity continues to support the Ascension
rectors, expand community outreach and come together as a loving and supportive
family.
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