WELCOME        The Ascension Sanctuary       HISTORY

THIS  IS  MY  STORY

(Ascension History)

by

Helen Kneten

Campus expansion - the 90's

Having paid off our debt we began to think of building a parish hall. Since the Day Care Center was housed in the original building, we were in need of space. We needed space for fellowship, Sunday School, offices and we had dreamed of a kitchen that was not a hallway. By May of 1992, the congregation authorized the council and building committee to select an architect. Duke Garwood was chosen and plans were drawn. Unfortunately, we had no idea of the time it would take to acquire all the permits the city then required. By 1994 we had plans and $300,000 but were still without permits. As we waited for the city's approval, building costs soared. In 1995 tl1e congregation voted to take on a $200,000 debt. The contractors' estimate was $593,000. Finally on April 14, 1996, we held ground- breaking and were able to begin to build. The portable buildings were donated to Lutl1eran Camping and moved off the property. A small storage building was purchased to house the Medical Lending equipment. We received a loan of $280,000 from the mission investment fund of the ELCA.  We had a fund drive coordinated by "Funds Unlimited" with Rev. Cal Frisch and Harold Bogisch to help repay tl1at debt.  January 19, 1997 we dedicated our new Parish Life Center with Bishop James Bennett officiating.
          Throughout the year we continued to furnish the building witl1 tables, chairs, kitchen supplies, etc. Since opening, the building has been used for several non-profit groups such as Girl Scouts, Voting, League of Women Voters, Sons of Norway, Life-Time Learning, etc. as well as for our own use.

WELCOME        The Ascension Sanctuary       HISTORY