Plan Your Visit
We Would Be Delighted to Welcome You
Visiting a church for the first time can bring a lot of questions. We want your first visit to the Church of the Ascension to be comfortable and straightforward.
Whether you have worshipped in the Anglican tradition for many years, come from another Christian tradition, or are simply curious about historic Christian worship, you are very welcome to join us.
Sunday Holy Communion — 10:00 a.m.
13941 Braddock Road, Centreville, Virginia 20120
What Should I Wear?
What Should I Wear?
When You Arrive
The Church of the Ascension worships in Centreville’s historic Old Stone Church. Our property includes both the church and the adjoining Parish Hall.
Parking is available around the circular drive and in the designated grassy areas surrounding the church. Visitors are welcome to park on the grass in the areas shown on the parking guide below.
The main entrance to the church is through the vestibule between the Church and Parish Hall. You may also enter through the Parish Hall entrance on the Braddock Road side of the building.
Visitors may park in the indicated grassy areas. You may enter at either the areas marked by the blue or yellow arrows.
What to Expect
Worship at Ascension is reverent, traditional, and centered upon the Holy Eucharist.
Our services follow the historic 1928 Book of Common Prayer, together with the Anglican liturgical tradition, and our congregational hymns are drawn principally from the 1940 Hymnal.
If you have never attended a traditional Anglican service before, some of what you encounter may be unfamiliar. There will be times when the congregation stands, kneels, and sits; portions of the service are spoken or sung together; and there will be periods of quiet prayer.
There is no need to worry about getting everything exactly right.
A service bulletin will help you follow the service, and you are welcome simply to follow the congregation around you and participate as you are comfortable. Our members remember that everyone was a visitor once.
What Should I Wear?
There is no dress code at Ascension.
You will see some members of the congregation dressed in suits, dresses, or other traditional Sunday attire, while others dress more casually.
Please come dressed as you are comfortable coming to worship. What matters most is that you are here.
Bringing Children
Children are very welcome at Ascension.
We believe children belong within the worshipping life of the Church, and we are glad to have families worship with us.
Sunday School is offered during the school year when our teacher is available. On Sundays when Sunday School is not offered, we provide “busy boxes” with quiet activities to help younger children remain occupied during the service.
Parents should not feel embarrassed by the ordinary sounds that come with bringing children to church. Children are part of the parish family, and we are glad to have them with us.
Receiving Holy Communion
Visitors are warmly invited to worship with us.
The Church of the Ascension practices closed Communion, in keeping with the sacramental discipline of the Anglican Catholic Church. Holy Communion may be received by those who have been baptized and confirmed by a bishop in the historic Apostolic Succession.
If you are visiting and are uncertain whether you should receive Holy Communion, please speak with the priest before the service. He will be very happy to answer any questions.
Those who are not receiving Holy Communion are nevertheless warmly encouraged to come to the altar rail, with arms crossed across their chest (as a sign to the priest), for a blessing.
After the Service
Our parish life continues after Sunday worship.
Following Holy Communion, we gather for fellowship and light refreshments. Visitors are warmly encouraged to stay, meet members of the parish, and allow us the opportunity to welcome you.
We will also typically have an adult study class after the service for those who wish to take part. The class may focus on Holy Scripture, Christian doctrine, Church history, or another aspect of the faith.
About once a month, usually on the first Sunday, we also recite the Holy Rosary. Participation is completely optional, and visitors are welcome either to join us or simply enjoy the fellowship and depart whenever they wish.
We hope to welcome you to Ascension soon.
Questions Before You Come?
If you have questions before your visit—about the service, bringing children, receiving Holy Communion, parking, or anything else—please feel free to contact us.
The Church of the Ascension
13941 Braddock Road
Centreville, Virginia 20120
703-830-3176
info@ascension-acc.org