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Parish History

The story of Episcopal Church of the Ascension reflects the story of Dallas itself. Just as the city grew rapidly in the mid-20th century, our community was shaped by that era of expansion, leading us to our current home. As Dallas evolved into a more diverse and multicultural region, so too did our parish, guided always by faith and God’s presence.

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Humble Beginnings 

Our journey began in the 1950s, when new neighborhoods were springing up across North Dallas and families sought an Episcopal community close to home. In 1957, a determined group of parishioners petitioned Bishop Avery Mason to establish a mission church. The first services were held in temporary spaces, but in 1958 the mission acquired its first permanent site, a modest farmhouse at Central Expressway and Meadow Road.

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Though some worried the spot was “too far out in the country,” Bishop Mason appointed Reverend Claud Behn as vicar, and under the leadership of the Vestry, that old farmhouse was transformed into a place of worship—the beginning of Ascension’s enduring presence in Dallas.

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Challenges and Changes

By 1963, Ascension’s Vestry decided it was time to move again. The sale of the property brought such a strong return that the mission was able to purchase land and build a new church debt-free on Central Expressway, just north of Meadow Road. Parishioners first worshiped there on Easter Sunday, 1965. Under Reverend Clifford Covington, the mission became a parish in 1967. Though financial and membership challenges led to a temporary return to mission status in 1973, the congregation rebounded quickly, regaining parish status in 1975 and adding a new parish hall without debt.

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As Dallas pushed north, commercial development began to surround the church. The Vestry chose to relocate once more, selling the Central Expressway site and purchasing land nearby on Greenville Avenue. In June 1982, Bishop Donald Davies closed the old church and broke ground for the new building the same day. Just over a year later, on August 6, 1983, the parish celebrated the consecration of its new home in what became known as the “Zip Code of Hope.”

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Transition to the New Century

Father Michael Harmuth was called in 1986, and his leadership brought growth and stability to Ascension. The sanctuary was expanded by 250 seats, and the parish deepened its outreach through a new food pantry and a lasting partnership with the Austin Street Center.

As the parish grew, Ascension called Mother Kathryn “Kai” Ryan in 1999. Mother Kai strengthened Ascension’s focus on outreach and shepherded two major capital campaigns. These projects gave the parish its current organ, new pews, a children’s chapel and playground, and expanded office space and landscaping — all completed debt-free. Mother Kai was called to serve first as Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Texas, and now to Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas. 

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Following Mother Kai was a tough chore. A little more than a year after her departure, the parish called Father Paul Klitzke, a Wisconsin native who came to Ascension after leading churches in Alaska and Hawaii, to be the seventh rector of Episcopal Church of the Ascension. 

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During his tenure, Father Paul guided a capital campaign to renovate and improve our upper building, converted to the new Youth and Outreach Center. Proceeds from the campaign also served to modernize the interior of the church and the Ascension Day School, improving lighting, the sound system, and updating floors throughout the building. The updates to the Youth and Outreach Center served a great purpose on our campus, providing a gathering place for our youth, a large meeting space for parishioners as well as outside groups, and a new, greatly expanded home for our food pantry, a central part of Ascension’s outreach. 

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The improvements to the campus were finished just in time for an unexpected event: the global pandemic of Covid-19, which closed churches around the country in early 2020. Ascension was resilient, however, using our newly-purchased video equipment to transition to online worship and Zoom meetings. Parishioners joined in virtual meetings, Bible study groups, and even a virtual game night, to maintain our connection through the difficult time. 

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For nearly three quarters of a century, the “church on the hill” has been a shining light in Dallas. From our humble beginnings in an old farmhouse near the freeway, to the newly renovated and reimagined space on Greenville Ave, Episcopal Church of the Ascension has served as a diverse, welcoming home for people seeking a greater purpose and a path to salvation. To paraphrase from Matthew (5:14-15), we are the church on the hill that cannot be hid. We do not want to hide our light, but let it be a beacon to the community.

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Leaders of Episcopal Church of the Ascension

Reverend Claud Behn, Vicar

Reverend Clifford Covington

Father George Gillespe (until 1981)

Reverend Peter Ensor (1981-1985)

Reverend Michael K. Harmuth (1986-1998)

Reverend Kathryn “Kai” Ryan (1999-2014)

Reverend Paul K. Klitzke (2015-2025)


 

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Relationship with the Diocese

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During Father Paul’s tenure at Ascension, a simmering conflict with the Diocese of Dallas finally came to a resolution. In 2018, the Vestry approved a motion to allow marriage equality at Ascension, along with two other Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Dallas. The motion was presented to the General Convention, which upon approval set in motion a series of events. 

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First, Ascension and the other churches in the Diocese of Dallas that sought to provide marriage for all were allowed to do so, and were provided with an alternative bishop to oversee sacraments. Bishop Wayne Smith of Missouri was appointed as pastoral care Bishop, which also allowed for other changes to worship. 

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Second, the Dinka congregation that had worshipped at Ascension for nearly a decade chose to forgo the gender neutral marriage rites and to stay with the Diocese of Dallas. They were granted mission status, and the St. Phillips Sudanese Episcopal Church was created. In 2025, St. Phillips chose to leave their shared home at Ascension for new space in nearby Garland, Texas. 

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After seven years of alternative oversight, our belief in marriage equality has only been strengthened. Bishop Smith has been a regular visitor at Ascension, providing confirmation and other sacraments during his time as our pastoral care Bishop. Bishop Smith will be retiring from this position in December 2025, and Ascension is expected to be under the care of the Diocese of Dallas again. 

Infusion of African Cultures

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In the late 1980s, Nigerian Anglicans found a welcoming home at Ascension, enriching parish life with their culture and traditions. In 2002, the “Lost Boys” of Sudan — also raised in the Anglican faith — joined the community. Adopted by Ascension families, they learned life skills in Dallas while sharing their Dinka heritage in worship.

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Crossing cultures was not always easy, but the parish embraced diversity, celebrating each year with African Night, filled with music, food, and dance. By their 10th anniversary in 2012, the Lost Boys had become men and women with families, careers, and strong faith. A year later, the Nigerian community planted Emmanuel Anglican Church, though many families with deep roots remained at Ascension.

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A few years later, a group of African refugees from Sudan found Ascension as a welcoming home. For nearly a decade, Ascension shared space with the Sudanese refugees, as more than 100 parishioners filled the narthex with song, drums, and worship. Bishop Sumner granted the group mission status in 2018, but they continued to worship at Ascension until early 2025.

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