A History of Ascension Lutheran Church
by Kay Larson, charter member

August 1961, a general survey of Allouez was taken by two Lutheran seminary students which revealed a positive interest in starting a new Lutheran Church.

An initial meeting was held in November 1962 in the Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel, led by our mission pastor, Thomas Hammond. The name "Ascension Lutheran Church" was chosen at the meeting which nine people attended.

The first service in the Chapel was in January 1963. 75 people attended, mostly visitors from other Lutheran churches.

In July 1963, we moved to a small chapel on Webster Avenue across from Faith Lutheran Church. By that time, we had 17 families. We worked hard getting that chapel cleaned and painted. All 17 families helped and we had fun too.

Due to illness, pastor Hammond resigned in February 1964. A temporary replacement was a retired pastor, Sam Roth, of Neenah, who held a struggling congregation together. His faith rubbed off on all of us, and here we are today.

In June 1964, Pastor Roger Ganzel, also from Neenah, and a newly ordained minister arrived as our full-time pastor. With his leadership, we began to grow. With the help from the Board of American Missions, 6½ acres of property was purchased on Broadview and Libal Streets, where we are today. Our first unit of a new church was built in May 1965, and was dedicated in November 1965.