In 1891, at the urging of Father L.A. Brosseau, in charge of the parish at Gervais, Oregon, Archbishop Gross wrote to Mother Catherine Aurelia, foundress of the Precious Blood order, inviting the nuns to come to Oregon.

The first Precious Blood sisters arrived from Canada early in 1892. In June of 1892 they left Gervais and moved to Portland where they found carpenters still working on their new Monastery. On June 24, 1892 the first Holy Mass was celebrated in their new monastery chapel by Father Brosseau. According to an agreement made with Archbishop Gross the chapel of the new monastery was to serve, for a time, as the new parish Church. This would appear to be the first Mass offered for parishioners of what was to become Ascension Parish.

On March 28, 1909 the new Ascension Parish Church and School was dedicated on Passion Sunday, with the parishioners moving their services from the monastery, which had served as the parish headquarters for 18 years and 9 months. Pastor at the dedication was Father P.J. Fitzpatrick of the diocesan clergy, who had been named in August of 1908, when the preparations for the new church and school were begun. Up to this time, the monastery had been the setting for the parish church services and for the small school which the sisters of Mercy conducted.

The arrival, in 1915, of Father Aegidius Herkenrath was only the beginning o f a tremendous array of Franciscan Friars to serve at Ascension Parish. It was so fitting that in 1991 we would conclude our 100th year with the first Ordination of one those young Friars to take place in our Parish Church.

May Ascension Parish continue to be a witness for Christ and the presence of St. Francis kept alive through the many services we offer to the Southeast Portland Community.