Ascension Parish - Diocese of Venice

Updates and News

Rebuilding the Church of the Ascension, Fort Myers Beach

The Church of the Ascension in Fort Myers Beach was destroyed by the deadly Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022. With great joy and hope for the future, Bishop Frank J. Dewane is pleased to announce that plans are now underway for a new Church of the Ascension! See a letter from Bishop Dewane to the parishioners of Ascension Parish below and watch a recording of the livestream from the October 10, 2025, Information Session here.

Please note: While the Church of the Ascension undergoes its transformation, St. Leo the Great Parish, Bonita Springs, welcomes all Ascension Parish parishioners, and is currently serving the Sacramental needs of the Parish. Address: 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs, (239) 992-0901.

Site Plan

Fact Sheet

Floorplan


WINK News reports on the new Ascension, here.	Enjoy a virtual “walkthrough” of the new Ascension, here.

Storm surge from Hurricane Ian is seen rising inside and outside the walls of the Monastery of San Damiano of the Poor Clares on Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.
The destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian, September 28, 2022.

History of Church of the Ascension, Fort Myers Beach

Established April 25, 1962

The Church of the Ascension began as a mission of Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers in 1955 when the original church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph P. Hurley. A rectory was soon added but was damaged heavily during Hurricane Donna in 1960.

In 1962, Church of the Ascension Mission became a parish. On December 17, 1962, a fire broke out in the church. Debris was soon cleared away, and Christmas Mass was held amid the charred altar and pews of the fire-damaged church. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church were held on September 22, 1963. On January 26, 1964, the new church building was formally dedicated.

In 1972, the parish began clearing land for a new rectory. In 1975, the church grounds were renovated, and the exterior of the church building was painted and restored. The Retirement Center for Priests was also built on church grounds in 1976.

Two years later, in 1978, a capital campaign was launched to renovate and expand the church. The first official Mass for the newly renovated Church of the Ascension was held on May 24, 1979. This was soon followed by a formal blessing on December 7, 1979.

Father Thomas Goggin was appointed Pastor of Ascension Parish in 1990. In 1992, the Retirement Home for Priests became a convent for the Poor Clare Nuns of San Damiano, Monastery of St. Clare. Following Father Goggin’s death on July 23, 2002, Father William Adams became Pastor.

In 2003, the old rectory was torn down to allow construction to begin on a new rectory, which was completed in 2005. In November 2007, a beautiful marble statue of the Ascension, imported from Italy, was installed in front of the church. In 2009, Bishop Frank J. Dewane officially established San Damiano Monastery as a monastery of the Order of St. Clare.

The Church of the Ascension was destroyed by the deadly Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022, with storm surge of 10-15 feet. Plans are now underway for a new Church of the Ascension, Parish Hall, and restored grounds.

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The Rebuild