St. Francis Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

FROM CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION TO ST. FRANCIS

 In 1830, Donaldsonville was the capital of the state of Louisiana.  Leonidas Polk, the first Episcoopal bishop of Louisiana suggested a congregation in Donaldsonville.  During the next ten years, poor participation prompted Bishop Polk to describe the parish as "very small and weak."  However by 1851 there seemed to be enough interest for the church to be admitted to the Council of Episcopal churches and prompted Henry Johnson to donate land with a house and a school on it that was envisioned to beome the rectory and a parochial school.  Church services were to remain at the Court House.  The official membership was 19 families with a flourishing Sunday school with children from several Protestant denominations participating. During the next 40 years, regretfully there was a pattern of short terms for clergy serving Church of the Ascension or a lay reader serving the church.

Church of the Ascension moved to its current location in 1905 from Nicholls and Railroad Avenue. There were 74 communicants and the church fulfilled its financial obligation to the diocese.  Post depression and World War II era saw a decline in membership.  In 1987, Ascension was made a mission station of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Baton Rouge.  By 2012, it became clear that a congregation no longer existed and the church was deconsecrated.

The building was described as rural Gothic with decorated verge board.  From 1870 when the rectory was converted to 1884, much work was done to maintain the building; painting, new pews, new carpeting in the chancel, a new organ and communion vessels.  Ten stained glass windows, some with double-hung sashes, were installed in 1886.   They were made by Hauser Studio of Wenona, Minnesota.  The windows were removed from Church of the Ascension upon the sale of the church property and were stored at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge.

From Diocese of Louisiana - History of Church of Ascension

Note:  The windows were removed from Church of the Ascension upon the sale of the church property and were stored at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge.  The windows were donated to St. Francis after the devastating flood of August, 2016, with the intention for the windows to be installed and rededicated to adorn the new St. Francis church building.