"Beautiful inside and out", were the spoken words of a partitioner comparing the physical beauty of…read morethe church due to the capital campaign for continued renovations to the internally spirit filled, loving congregation and church leaders. Yes indeed, it is aesthetically beautiful inside and out and a loving, compassionate and spirit filled place of worship was felt as well.
The Lutheran Church of the Ascension is on the National Register of Historic Places and sits on the NE corner of Wright Square in the historic district. The name is inspired by the large, beautifully imposing stained glass window, above the alter, depicting the ascension of Christ. It has remained an active Lutheran congregation since its founding in 1741.
There are two Sunday worship services at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. with classes for all ages at 9:45 a.m.
Church History:
An intriguing history that begins with The Edict of Expulsion, on October 31, 1731, by Archbishop Leopold von Firmian that began the immigration of Salzburg Protestants from Austria/Germany to the new colony of Georgia.
The history of Lutheranism in the colony of Georgia began in 1734 when some of these Protestants arrived in Savannah in search of religious freedom. They initially settled at Ebenezer, up the Savannah River from the British in Savannah. This was approximately 13 months after General James Oglethorpe landed in Savannah.
On April 14, 1741, Johann (John) Martin Bolzius, who as pastor of the Salzburgers at Ebenezer New Jerusalem Church and in charge of Lutheran work in the colony of Georgia, organized the congregation that would become The Lutheran Church of the Ascension. As Savannah grew the Lutheran pastor began conducting worship services in Savannah, and Salzburgers continued to arrive seeking religious freedom.
In 1756 the current site was purchased by members of the congregation. In 1844, a new Greek Revival brick church was built in the place of the original wooden structure, and in the 1870's the growing church remodeled and enlarged. During this renovation the sanctuary was moved to the second floor, the steeple raised to a height of 225 feet, and the beautiful stained glass of the Risen Lord ascending into heaven was put into its current place above the altar. It was in 1879 that the church took the name "Ascension" as it had become known due to the lovely stained glass window.
Some interesting Civil War facts are that the church pew cushions were used as beds by soldiers during General Sherman's invasion of Savannah. Additionally, the church was turned into a hospital for sick and wounded, and the church pews were used as fire wood.
On April 14, 2016, The Lutheran Church of Ascension celebrated its 275th Anniversary. Currently, during this mornings service, August 18, 2019, the announcement was made that the first phase of renovations are complete, and they will begin phase two.
I write this review in honor of my Lutheran Yelp friend, from Germany, and his lovely wife, Klaus-Dieter R. I hope one day you will visit this beautiful church!
