The first Episcopal service in the city of Twin Falls was held November 1, 1905 in a school house at the corner of Third Street and what is now Idaho Street. The city planners had held aside lots specifically for churches. When George Sprague heard of their intent, he called the Rt. Rev James Funston, Bishop of the Missionary District of Idaho to encourage him to establish an Episcopal church in Twin Falls.
Early in 1907 Bishop Funston traveled to Trinity Church in Philadelphia and solicited enough money from the congregation to build the Twin Falls church at the corner of Third Avenue North and Fairfield Street. The Rev Alvard Chamberlaine was appointed resident clergy of the Twin Falls mission in May 1908.
In its first 25 years the Church of the Ascension was served by 14 different priests. The support of dedicated lay people is credited with sustaining the mission. The Ascension Guild made up of church women met weekly for spiritual support, but they also contributed to the priest’s salary and raised money to purchase hymnals, prayerbooks, miscellaneous supplies and furnishings for the altar.
The decades of the 10’s and 20’s saw the growth of the choir and the organization of the Altar Guild. In the 30’s Martha’s Guild was formed by women who could not attend daytime meetings.
In the 40’s The Church of the Ascension progressed from the status of a mission church to a parish and the church grew substantially in the post-war boom.
While Church of the Ascension moved location, changed, and grew in the 1950’s under the leadership of Father Norman 
Stockwell, the 1960’s found us facing new challenges. The world changed with the Vietnam war, the assassination of our President, and even the hippie movement found parishioners questioning established beliefs and principles. Ascension changed priests about three times during the 1960’s. A priest who said “damn” in the pulpit shocked conservatives and vestry members’ phones rang. In 1967 Father John Riley presented for confirmation a class of 38 children and adults so obviously we remained strong in our faith. Pictures show that women still covered their heads with hats or chapel veils for all church services and events.
Under the very able leadership of Father Albert (Bert) Allen and his talented wife Helen Allen, Ascension grew and thrived in the 1970’s. While participating in fun pageants, festivals, services, and Bible study, parishioners strengthened personal spirituality with laughter and song. The Cursillo movement offered a strength of convictions to many. We baptized our children, took them to church school, and sent them to Paradise Point camp, providing a firm foundation for their faith as well. They even learned to be quiet at any gathering when the priest proclaimed, “The Lord be with you,” followed by “And also with you.” The amazing language of our liturgy kept us bound in our faith and spirituality.
For almost the entire decade of the 1980s, Ascension was led by Fr. Fred Elwood and his dedicated and talented wife Alice. Parish activities continued to thrive, with large Christian Education programs and parish social life keeping everyone involved. We shared fellowship and good times at Seder dinners, Lenten Soup Suppers, Thanksgiving Eve services with receptions and potlucks.
Outreach into the community was an important part of life at Ascension. Programs included Youth Group service projects, a growing and more organized Neighbors in Need program, the ECW (St. Martha’s) Spring Luncheon for shut-ins, the Thrift Shop and the donation of a piece of nearby land to the Twin Falls Housing Authority.
The Ascension Arts & Crafts Fair, which had taken place at Ascension since the 1950s, was redesigned as a juried show and renamed The Artisans’ Holiday Show. Besides being a whole lot of fun, AHS has played an important role in Ascension’s connection to the community through hospitality and financial contributions.
The Cursillo renewal movement expanded from just the Episcopal community to include members of many Protestant denominations in Twin Falls. So much interest was generated that two Cursillos a year was not uncommon, and much ecumenical fellowship and outreach resulted. The high-school “Happening” weekends blossomed throughout the Diocese, and very active junior and senior high Sunday School programs and Youth Groups were the result. Ascension joined forces with the Presbyterians to put on Vacation Bible School through 1987.
In 1991 Fr. Brian Thom was called to be rector of the Church of the Ascension and so began the longest tenure of any priest at Ascension. The change of leadership brought a surge of new faces to continue the active parish life and community outreach already in place. Fr. Brian introduced the Blessing of the Animals, lively adult education classes both on Sunday and Wednesday mornings, and healing services. There was new emphasis on small group gatherings, a very active Pastoral Care team, youth programs, and shepherding/newcomer activities. Outreach through the Thrift Shop and Neighbors-in-Need continued, but creation of an Outreach position on the Vestry brought a new awareness of local and world-wide needs.
Mib Kelly was ordained Deacon in Jan. 1995, the first woman ordained at Ascension. In fall 1995, Shannon Kelly began divinity school at CDSP, with the wholehearted support of her parish.
We purchased twelve acres of land in 1994 with a plan to build a new church in the future. We were all astonished when a mere two years later Albertson’s made an offer to purchase the Blue Lakes property. Plans began in earnest “Catch the Dream” and to plan a new church for the Eastland site.
As life at the Blue Lakes church continued, we designed the new building, broke ground and began construction. On Palm Sunday, 2003, we continued our journey together by walking to the new building at 371 Eastland Drive.
