One hundred years ago, there was a ribbon of development alongside the river, with Bitterne Manor being the most historic area dating back to Roman times. When the first Church of the Ascension was set up in Thorold Road in 1899, the land to the east of it was woodland and farmland. The present church, consecrated in 1926, was built in response to the growing needs of the area.

Much housing development has taken place in the last fifty years, and the daughter church of All Hallows was first dedicated in 1951 to serve the areas of Midanbury and Townhill Park, the latter consisting largely of Council properties with some high rise flats.

The older parts of the parish still retain something of a village atmosphere. There is a mix of older properties (many now divided into bed-sits) and new building.

The Parish has a population of over 14,000 people, and covers an area including Bitterne Park Triangle, Midanbury, Bitterne Manor and Townhill Park. More general information about the local area can be found on the Bitterne Park website (http://www.bitternepark.info/).

Worship and Prayer
Our worship is usually ‘sacramental’: we value regular celebration of Holy Communion, using both modern and more traditional forms of services, and enjoy the variety provided by the seasons of the Churches year. At special times of year such as Passion Sunday, Pentecost and Christ the King we have special services with anointing with oil and prayer for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We take communion to the sick and housebound.  A few people like to make Confession (‘Sacrament of Reconciliation’), perhaps during Lent or Advent as part of their spiritual discipline.

We pray each weekday for the world and our local community, and on the last Saturday of the month we have 12 Hours of Prayer from noon –midnight at the Ascension Centre.

We may also have a week of guided prayer during Lent. A number of our members meet together in various groups for fellowship, prayer, and fun.

Mission
Our mission includes running Windows Café, opening our buildings for community use, and going into local schools. We value prayer healing ministry, and run ‘Healing Space’ at All Hallows each Wednesday morning, monthly healing services at Ascension Church, and support initiatives such as ‘Healing on the Streets’ led by New Community Church in The Bitterne Triangle on a Saturday morning.

We run an Alpha course at least once a year.

We participate with other local churches in a range of other activities at Christmas, Easter and other occasions, and hope to develop this in the coming year.