1030 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA  70501                     (337) 232-2732

Welcome to Ascension Church!

If you are searching for a church home, we invite you to join us in our worshiping and celebration of God's love.

Sunday Services:

  8:00 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10:30 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II

  6:00 pm - Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Please explore our website to find additional opportunities for worship, study, fellowship and service with the Ascension community.

MEMBERSHIP AT CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION

     It is common in churches to have those who attend services yet are not actual members, assuming that they are members of that parish.  Ascension is no exception to this phenomenon. Currently, the church vestry is in the process of examining our membership roles to determine a fuller account of inactive members, active members and active members in good standing.  An accurate account of membership is helpful toward determining pastoral care (including weddings, funerals and baptisms) and participation in responsibilities of parish life (including parish meetings and parish or diocesan leadership).
     One becomes a member of the Episcopal Church by Baptism, Confirmation by an Episcopal bishop or Reception by an Episcopal bishop.  If you were baptized, confirmed or received at Church of the Ascension then your membership was duly recorded.  If you formally transferred your membership from another Episcopal parish or church in communion with this church then your transfer was duly recorded at Ascension.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY AN EPISCOPALIAN
     If you are a baptized or confirmed member of another Episcopal parish, you are invited to transfer your membership to Ascension.  Provide the church office with the name and place of your previous parish and we will request your letter of transfer.  A member of the clergy will contact you to discuss membership at Ascension.

IF YOU WERE BAPTIZED IN ANOTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCH
     If you were baptized with water in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in any Christian Church, you are invited to become a baptized member of Ascension.  Please contact the church office and a member of the clergy will meet with you to discuss becoming a member at Ascension.  It is expected that all adult members, after appropriate instruction, be confirmed or received by a bishop.

IF YOU WISH TO BE CONFIRMED OR RECEIVED
     "Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop" (The Book of Common Prayer, 860).  It is expected that all adult members of this Church, after appropriate instruction, make a public affirmation of their faith and be confirmed by the laying on of hands by a bishop.  Confirmation classes are offered annually at Ascension for adults and teenagers.  Persons who have been confirmed in another Christian church by a bishop in Apostolic Succession (Roman Catholic or Orthodox) are received by the bishop rather than confirmed.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED
     Call the parish office to speak with one of the clergy if you desire to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.  Baptisms are also administered to children of active members in good standing.

WHO WE ARE...

We are an Episcopal Church dedicated to our Anglican heritage and identity.  We are sacramental, evangelical, and orthodox. 

When we say sacramental, we mean that our life of worship is centered around God's gracious gifts of Himself through the Eucharist, Baptism, and other signs of His immeasurable love.  The Bread and the Cup are offered to all Baptized Christians at least four times a week at Holy Eucharist. 

When we say evangelical, we mean that we take seriously Jesus' call to obedience, to allowing ourselves to be made in the Image of Jesus, who is the Image of His Father.  We hold the Holy Scriptures to be authoritative in our lives, believing them to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

When we say orthodox, we mean that we believe in the essentials of our faith which all Christians have believed at all times.  We do not exist in a vacuum.  We read the Scriptures through the eyes of the church historical.  We cling to the ancient Creeds as guideposts for our belief and worship. 

We believe that worship is truly God's gift of drawing us into the Triune life, that life of love among Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  At Ascension, you will find worship without irreverence, liturgy without empty formalism, intellect without arrogance.  You will discover beautiful music which enhances worship, strong preaching, and a challenge to the life of discipleship to Jesus Christ.

THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION AS A LANDMARK

The physical church at Ascension is an example of significant Louisiana architecture.  It was designed by A. Hays Town, a prominent Louisiana architect and former member of Ascension.  The edifice, which is the present church building, is essentially traditional English Gothic in design and combines old-style brick, a narthex, a bell tower, a garden wall and exquisite stained glass windows.  The ceiling design typifies the early church traditions that the church was symbol of a ship or ark of salvation.  The church is considered to be one of the most beautiful in our area.