From 35 Acres to 3,300 Families. A journey of Faith and Growth.
Deo Gratias Award – 2024 / Church of the Ascension
“In less than 20 years, the Church of the Ascension has grown an endowment fund from $20K to over $1.8M.”
In 1988, Archbishop Ignatius Strecker purchased 35 acres of land, laying the foundation for what would become Church of the Ascension. Three years later, in 1991, Fr. Larry Albertson was appointed the first pastor, and the parish was officially named. At this point, the parish was small, with around 500 families, but this humble beginning would soon expand. Initial plans laid out a $4.9 million church facility, which expanded to include a K-8 school, new parish offices, additional adult and youth faith formation spaces and a sanctuary remodel, all completed by 2015.
Since its beginning, Ascension has been one of the few parishes in the archdiocese to fund their parish school through a tithing model. A preschool program was added in 2016, extending access to an early childhood Catholic education.
The parish continued to grow in 2003 when Msgr. Thomas Tank was appointed pastor. One of his first actions was establishing a perpetual Adoration Chapel, facilitating transformational encounters for the last 22 years. Since then, the parish has been blessed with many men and women called to religious vocations including two diocesan priests, one religious priest, five three seminarians, and three religious sisters.
Church of the Ascension has a vibrant sacramental life, including their daily noon Mass which is attended by people from many parishes, and on Fridays, can draw several hundred worshipers. Due to its large campus and the warm hospitality of its parishioners, the parish regularly hosts archdiocesan-wide events and conferences, including Men Under Construction.
Ascension is also known for its strong RCIA program and its wide variety of well-attended adult faith formation opportunities. Many of their parishioners are recognized within the archdiocese and nationally as apologists, speakers and instructors of the Faith.
Through their many outreach ministries, Ascension has consistently lived Christ’s call to serve those in need. The parish was also instrumental in establishing Prairie Star Ranch which hosts thousands of youth from the archdiocese every year.
In 2021, Fr. Gary Pennings was appointed pastor, returning after he was a parochial vicar there 18 years before.
Church of the Ascension established an endowment fund in 2006 with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas to provide financial support for the parish. With an initial seed of $20,000 and through continual contributions, the endowment has now grown to over $1.8M in less than 20 years.
With over 3,300 registered families now, Church of the Ascension continues to strive to live the Catholic Faith with a joy that inspires others, a patience that fosters relationships and a charity that transforms hearts.
