Ascension: How We Started and Who We Are

Church of the Ascension was founded in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach in 1972 by Father Robert French under the direction of Bishop Russell. This parish was founded post-Vatican II, and because of this, there was a great focus on the laity's responsibility to our faith and the Church. Initial Masses were held in people's homes, and then at Kempsville Elementary and Junior (now Middle) school. Our brothers and sisters in Christ at Kempsville Presbyterian Church and later Emmanuel Episcopal Church also invited us to celebrate at their churches.

In 1973, our Parish Mission was established and is still a guiding light today. The Mission of the Church of the Ascension, as an open assembly of Catholic believers of the Diocese of Richmond, is To Proclaim the Word of God, celebrate the Eucharist, and serve the local community. In 1975, our parish finally had a home, and Mass was celebrated on April 6 in our multifunctional worship space. We were blessed in our early years to have many in religious leadership, often being home to multiple priests and several sisters. In later years, we have been blessed to have deacons and seminarians in our community. 

From the beginning, Ascension was dedicated to our Mission, which is easily seen in our Worship, Faith Formation programs, and Social Outreach. Initially, Ascension was considered "radical" or "progressive." Our worship space was multifunctional, there were no kneelers or statues, and there were electric guitars and clapping during Mass. Ascension also had the distinction of welcoming our Jewish brothers and sisters from Beth Chaverim, who shared our worship space for ten years until they moved to their new synagogue in 1995. Ascension has never steered away from difficult topics, having forums and, where possible, taking action on issues like the nuclear arms race, racism, and AIDS, always looking through the lens of Catholic teachings.

As of Spring 2025, we have had five pastors: Fr. Robert (Bob) French, Fr. William (Bill) Dale, Fr. James (Jim) Parke, Fr. Charles (Chuck) Breindel, and Fr. Daniel Malingumu. Each pastor has led our parish family, in their unique way, to be a faith-filled community. Our current Pastor, Fr. Daniel, has ties to the Archdiocese of Tabora, enabling us to expand our "local" community and lend support on a global scale with St. Ludovick in Tanzania, Africa. Multiple parishioners have visited Tabora on their small pilgrimages. Traveling together is something Ascension has done throughout the years, either on true religious pilgrimages to destinations like Israel or Italy, or on leisure trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and US National Parks. We are a family that celebrates life together.

Ascension is known as a welcoming parish. From the beginning, we believe that it is people who are the Church, not the building they call home. Our people have done amazing things and strive to continue to move forward, led by the Holy Spirit. We were, and still are, a family working to grow in and live out our faith.