WELCOME The Ascension Sanctuary HISTORY
THIS IS MY STORY
(Ascension History)
by
Helen Kneten
The Beginnings - 1960
In
January of 1960, Rev. V. A. Mohr, President of the Texas District of The
American Lutheran Church, announced plans for a new church in northwest Austin.
It was to be the 220th congregation of the Texas District and would be called
Ascension Lutheran.
Faith Lutheran congregation,
Austin
(then established only nine years) sponsored the new church. Rev. W.C. Ahlrich,
Pastor of Faith, the members and church council worked together with Marguerite
Hotz, Parish Worker for the Texas District, to establish the new congregation.
Rev. David Sieberg accepted the call as full-time missionary and conducted the
first service at Gullett Elementary School on February 14, 1960.
On May 22, 1960, the Sunday nearest Ascension Day, Ascension Lutheran
was organized. This took place at
2 p.m. at Faith Lutheran. At that time Rev. David Sieberg was
installed as Pastor of the "New Lutheran Mission in Northwest Hills." During
that service 36 confirmed people (62 baptized, 17 families) were received as
charter members of Ascension. Among those were Leon and Janette Peterson and Al
Tramp.
Shortly after Ascension was organized, work began on a parsonage and
was completed that summer. Much of the work was done by the Pastor and mcmbcrs
of the congregation.
On March 9,
1961 a 3-acre site was purchased at $25,000 for a church building and
groundbreaking ceremonies were held July 16, 1961. At that time the congregation
had grown to 79 confirmed members (124 baptized, 36 families).
The building is, of course, our present day care center. The architect
was Arthur Fehr of Fehr and Granger and Chairman of the Building Committee was
Leon Peterson. The purchase of the property and construction of the building
were made possible by a loan from THC Board of American Missions of the
American
Lutheran
Church.
Cost of the building was approximately $42,000 and the address was 6300 Balcones
Trail. (There was no Hart Lane until later.) Dedication was December 10, 1961.
Many churches and church auxiliaries in the area contributed to this
new mission. Ascension is especially indebted to Faith Lutheran for their caring
support during the early years.