Ascension Lutheran Church

Did you ever hear of a church service where slinkies play a role? Right here at Ascension Lutheran Church in San Diego, they offer just that. Their unique “Slinky Service” provides each attendee with a rainbow-colored slinky, encouraging them to bring it back every time and “use it as the Spirit leads”. Ascension Lutheran Church isn’t your average church. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation. Ascension Lutheran Church started as a dream. In 1957, local Lutherans, supported by the National Lutheran Council, envisioned a community church in Allied Gardens. Their first service was held on March 10, 1957, not in a traditional church building, but in the Sparkletts Warehouse on Mission Gorge Road. Imagine, water bottles being shuffled around every Sunday to make room for a collapsible altar. This unconventional start speaks volumes about the church’s adaptability and community spirit. That same year, fifty adults and forty-nine children became charter members. Ascension Lutheran Church’s journey didn’t end there. After years of searching for a permanent home, they leased a portion of First Baptist Church’s property on Greenbrier Avenue for a mere dollar a year. Here, architect Robert E. DesLauriers designed a demountable A-frame structure. This innovative solution allowed the church to be relocated later. The A-frame served as their sanctuary until 1963 when they purchased land on 51st Street and Zion Avenue. In a spectacle that captured media attention, the entire A-frame was moved intact to its current location. Ascension Lutheran Church has been led by a succession of pastors. From its first pastor, Ralph Carlson, who oversaw the church’s early years, to its current leader, Richard Fry, each pastor has contributed to its unique character. Ascension Lutheran Church is deeply committed to serving its community. It offers a variety of programs. These include food distribution, holiday meals, music programs, Christian education, a quilting group, a Healing Touch Ministry, and a Children’s Center. It also provides meeting spaces for various support groups, the Allied Gardens Community Group, and the San Diego Children’s Choir. Since 2006, Ascension Lutheran Church has extended its service beyond San Diego, partnering with Bethlehem Lutheran in New Orleans for a rebuilding ministry after Hurricane Katrina. In 2008, the “Sounds of Ascension” program brought renovations, a new organ, and a baby grand piano, enriching worship services and allowing the church to host regular musical events. Ascension Lutheran Church’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and dedication to community service. From a warehouse to a demountable A-frame, and finally to its current home, it continues to evolve and serve, offering a welcoming space for all.