Found on University Avenue West and McKay is one of the more often overlooked churches in the city, the Anglican Church of the Ascension.
The church as seen today was built in 1927, designed by local architects Nichols, Sheppard & Masson. It was built using only the foundations and tower walls of the first Church of the Ascension that was built in 1907, and destroyed by fire December 22, 1926. Within a year the church was redesigned, rebuilt and rededicated.
The photo above is from the Border Cities Star, September 27, 1927:
Construction work has been slow, but appreciable progress is shown in the picture above. Only the roof of the old structure is to remain as it was, as new windows will be utilized, and a pillar effect will be given to the interior of the nave.
The parish hall, now used by the congreation for services, will be considerably enlarged when the work is finished. Another structure, to replace the present rectory will be added later.
From the Border Cities Star, December 3, 1927:
Anyone out there have any memories, or stories about this place?
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There are a few churches along University West that are very nice. Hopefully you can follow up with the others as well.
Sorry but I have no info on this one but it has always been well maintained.
Didn't this church have an extensive roof fire a few years ago? Something to the tune of $500,000 damage.
LOL- slow construction... I'd like to see a church like this built in just over a year nowadays.
I worked in that church a few years ago, repairing the pews and various other things.The heat from the 2nd fire dried out a lot of the wood.The pipe organ is an amaising piece of work.I had a chance to go in the the pipe room and look it over. There is a giant bellows in the basement to feed the pipes. The cieling in the sanctuary is very high and very expensive to heat. After the 2nd fire the roof was open to the sky but the cross from the roof was not destroyed. It now hangs on the outside wall at the side door.
i always give this church an eye when driving down university. it really is one of the nicer churches in the city.
This city must have been hopping in 1927 with all the construction going on. I wonder if it was difficult for the builders to hang on to their workers?
I was married in that church. It's been 20 years since the fire: January 14th, 1990. During reconstruction, we were all given small pieces of salvaged floorboards with a candle in it as remembrance.
Wow Amazing.......
I used to play as a kid along the walls of that church.
We lived on McKay and knew everyone on that block.
The people who lived in the house right behind the Church were good Friends.
My memories of that Church are almost mystical. I was Never actually IN that Church though.
Just used to play on its grounds and always felt wonderful doing it.