• Founded in 1895 by Father Nicholas M. Reinhart, the Church of the Ascension remains exactly as it was built in testament to his legacy to the parish. What followed in 1905 was the construction of the Ascension School, orchestrated by Monsignor Edwin M. Sweeny at the cost of $12,000. By 1904 there were over 5,200 parishioners with 226 baptisms in the previous year. 

• The Pastors throughout the years

  Father Nicholas M. Reinhart, 1895-1900
  Monsignor Edwin M. Sweeny, 1901-23
  Bishop Joseph P. Donahue, 1924-59
  Monsignor James A. Quinn, 1959-68
  Monsignor Richard B. Curtin, 1968-70
  Monsignor James J. Wilson, 1970-82
  Monsignor John B. Sullivan, 1977-81
  Father Donald J. Johnston, 1982-94
  Father John P. Duffell, 1994-2012
  Father Daniel S. Kearney, 2012-present
• To learn more please consider purchasing Upper West Side Catholics by Thomas J. Shelly in our rectory.