According to the first recorded minutes, Sandor Bors, Matthew Kish, Gergely Csete, aand Paul Bvendes, Sr. were among the prime movers in organizing the church. Of course, there were others, but they are the ones mentioned in the recorded minutes, dated October 8, 1908.

The first worship service was held October 11, 1908, with Reverend Gyula Boczko of Cleveland conducting the service in the Magyar Reformed Church, at that time located on the corner of Easton Avenue and Hamilton Streets. Following the service, a meeting was held at which time the congregation was organized, taking on the name of �The New Brunswick First Magyar Augsburg Evangelical Church.� The following officers were elected: Sandor Bors, vice-president; John Varga, treasurer; Matthew Kish, secretary; also the following councilmen: Andras Nemes, Sandor Simon, Geza Vig, and Gabor Kormendi.

This organizational meeting was soon followed by another on October 18, 1908, at which time it was decided to prepare a membership roll, and to set the amount of the monthly dues.

The group kept on meeting, even without the services of a pastor, for they were determined to become a congregation of Hungarian Lutherans. At the next meeting, held on December 6, 1908, in the auditorium of the German Lutheran Church, it was decided to invite Reverend Ruzsa of Cleveland Ohio to conduct communion services either on Christmas or New Year�s Day. The service was held on New Year�s Day at the appointed place at one o�clock.

At this time, attention was called to the fact that there were a number of persons in South River who had indicated an interest in becoming members of the church, and so a committee was appointed to visit them, consisting of Geza Vig and Gabor Kormendi.

There were ten �collectors� at this time who had the task of calling on members of the congregation for their church dues.

Meeting after meeting was held as the small group moved forward. A meeting was held on April 4, 1909, at the German Lutheran Church, whose minutes refer to the Reverend Gyula Boczko as the pastor, for whom a monthly salary of sixty-five dollars was voted.

Apparently things did not always move along smoothly for there are indications of dissention at the meeting held on June 21, 1909, although what the problem was is not indicated.

The first reference to a social function, a �bal� (dance) is made in the minutes of August 1, 1909. Also, reference is made for the first time to Hungarian Lutherans in Bonhamton (Baromta).

It seems that the first regularly called and ordained pastor of the church was the Reverend Karoly Bela Nemeth, who came from Pape Hungary. He was elected by the congregation on April 5, 1910, and by August 7th he was presiding at the regular monthly meeting of the congregation, held in the German Lutheran Church. Services were now held every Sunday at 8:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. A committee of three was elected for the purpose of purchasing a lot on which to build a church.

On September 4, 1910, the building committee was authorized to purchase two lots on Plum Street. Bids were let for construction of the church on October 2nd. The contract was awarded to Imre Szabo ( a member of the congregation) and his partner, Andor Czahan. The construction of the church cost $2,925, not including the altar, pulpit and pews.

The cornerstone dedication took place on October 30, 1910, on Reformation Sunday.

At a congregational meeting held on December 4, 1910, the pastor announced receiving bids on new pews from the American Seating Company. For 20 pews, each 12 feet long, the cost would be $273, delivered and installed. It was approved. (Today one pew alone costs as much.)

An altar; pulpit, and pulpit chair were contracted for with Imre Szabo for a total of $100.

The dedication of the church took place on December 26, 1910. At long last, the congregation had its own place of worship. Of particular interest in connection with it is that, on the day of the dedication, the members of the congregation, along with the delegations from various fraternal organizations, met at the corner of Neilson and Washington streets (where so many Hungarians lived at the time), and accompanied by musicians and carrying banners, they marched along Neilson, George, New, Kirkpatrick, French, Prospect and Somerset Street, down Plum Street to the new church!

The Congregation was now a fully established church. And it seemed to be a relatively simple thing to become a member of the church, as indicated by the announcement that �Paul Balla desires to be a member of the parish, whereupon he was extended greetings by all.�

The minutes of May 7, 1911, indicate that Kalman Buthy, Sr. was the �hymn leader� (enek-vezet), for which he received two dollars a month. A picnic was planned for the day after Pentecost in the Milltown Park.

Various social functions followed one after the other to help the finances of the church. A play (szindarab) was given on September 10th in the Columbia Hall, which netted $97.35. A grape festival was held on October 14th, which netted $9.35.

It was not until November 5, 1911, almost one year after the church was built that it was suggested a gas heater be installed in the church.

To help with the finances of the church, some members solicited donations from fellow workers at their places of work. One such member was Esther Domonkos who raised $100 dollars that way for the church. Then someone, who wished to remain anonymous, offered to carpet the floor of the church.

Things seemed to go along fairly well now for a while. But another crisis situation arose, as indicated by a special meeting of the congregation when Paul Bendes, vice-president of the council, �asked the pastor, on behalf of the congregation, that he remain their pastor, and not leave them. All members of the congregation expressed their greatest satisfaction with him.� Imre Szabo, a member, also spoke on behalf of the people, asking the pastor �not to forsake them, for otherwise the parish will fall apart.�

Up to this point there is no mention in the records about where the various pastors o the church lived, no mention being made of any parsonage.
However, on January 21, 1913, a special meeting was held, indicating that it was at the pastor�s (rented) residence at 96 French Street. Pastor Stiegler announced the possibility of renting 59 French Street which would provide an auditorium on the first floor, and an apartment on the second for the pastor. The rent would be $40 the first three months and $45 thereafter.

The council members agreed, since the church had no basement auditorium at the church on Plum Street. This place would provide a place for meetings, social functions, wedding receptions, and could be rented to other organizations.

A variety of social functions continued to be held to help the finances of the church. At one point three tea socials were held which netted only $35.98. The February 9th minutes show that a �Fair� had been held which netted $230.67. �Everyone was pleased.� It was at this meeting that it was decided to furnish the auditorium (on the French Street property) with 100 chairs, 4 tables and a stove, also a piano for $15.00. The minutes of the August 4th indicated that the auditorium was named �Rakoczy Hall.� A report was given on a picnic held on July 6h in the Milltown Park, which netted $41.90.

Another picnic was held August 10th at the picnic place on Hamilton Street.
Two orchestras were hired for the occasion - Mezey and Walyrus.

The finances were always a problem, so that more and more socials were held, and members constantly had to be reminded to pay their church dues.

The organization of a women�s group is first mentioned in the minutes of May 24th, when the Bishop of Elizabeth spoke to the congregation, urging the formation of such a group.

After serving the struggling congregation for almost two years, Pastor Stiegler announced his resignation, having received a call from the South Bethlehem (Zion Lutheran) to become its pastor. He promised to be of assistance to the church, as needed, until a new pastor arrived.

In view of the present situation, being without a pastor again, the congregation decided it was not advisable to build a new church on the corner of Somerset and Plum Streets ( as apparently was originally planned when the two lots were purchased), and, therefore, the lots were sold for $1,800 to Imre Szabo, a contractor and member of the church.

The church was to receive a new pastor from Hungary at this time, by appointment of Bishop Ferencz Gyuratz, but because of World War I he was unable to leave.

Fortunately, the congregation found a new pastor in Reverend Alexander Szabo. A Call was extended to him on May 13, 1915. The minutes of July 4th indicate that he had assumed the leadership of the church and presided at the meeting of the Council on that date.

The services of an architect were secured to draw up the plans, according to the minutes of May 5th 1916. There is no further mention of it in the records until September 3, 1916, when the pastor announced �inability to secure a contractor for the building project, therefore, it was being postponed until the following year.�

In the meantime, the services of the church continued on a regular basis and social activities were held, such as a �fair� on May 3. 4 and 6, which netted a profit of $575, to everyone�s pleasure.

A picnic on July 23 netted $126.15. However, there seeemed to be a need to remind the members to pay their dues regularly. In the meantime, various repairs had to be made to the parsonage, and a new stove had to be installed in the kitchen. Again, to augment the finances of the church, a �Grape Festival� was held on October 21, 1916, which netted $102.03. By now the church had a balance of $2738.32.

At the annual congregational meeting held on January 7, 1917, Pastor Szabo expressed his gratitude for the progress the congregation made during the past year, giving thanks to God for His guidance, and expressing his hope for the future. The pastor�s salary this time was raised to $80 a month.

Once again the matter of building a school auditorium under the church on Plum Street was discussed, according to the February 11, 1917 minutes. However, again it was decided to postpone it in view of the world conditions at the time. The pastor called attention to the fact that diplomatic relations between this country and Hungary may be severed momentarily because of the war.

The life of the church was in good hands now under the leadership of Pastor Szabo. At the annual congregational meeting on January 13. 1918, the pastor expressed his gratitude for the accomplishments of the past year. The church mortgage had been reduced by $564, and the treasurer reported a balance of $4,127.97.

It was at this time that the pastor recommended that there be no further delay in building plans. He also indicated that since the congregation no longer seemed to want to build at its present location, therefore, they consider the purchase of a lot on Somerset Street, 66 feet wide, and 100 feet deep (not otherwise identified as to exact location), and that a new church and parsonage be built there. The price of the lot was $2,666. The congregation gave its approval for the purchase of the lot.

Later, following the purchase of the lot, some discussion took place as to the location of the church on the new property. The majority favored placing the church in the middle of the lot from an �aesthetic� point of view. The dimensions of the church were 27 feet by 70 feet. (There is no mention here of a new parsonage.)

Plans for the new church were prepared by Alexander Merchant, and architect, of New Brunswick. In time, three bids were received. The contract was finally let to a New York contractor on July 18, 1919, fo the construction of the church at a cost of $28,079. No mention is made of a parsonage, although it too must have been in mind, for at a meeting on September 7, 1919, it was announced that the old parsonage on Harvey Street had been sold.

Under his guidance, the Sunday School, Weekday Church School, Vacation Bible School, Altar Society, Men�s Brotherhood, Young People�s Association and Hungarian language courses were started. He also introduced the first English language service, because the first American-born generation had grown up, and it was time to lead them in worship in the language they used every day.

Pastor Szabo died while serving as pastor of the church. His twenty-five years of services are commemorated by the bronzed plaque in the entry way of the church.

Sometime during the spring of 1940 Pastor Julius Szathmary was called to be the fifth pastor of the congregation. Under his leadership the congregation continued to grow as a progressive bi-lingual community conscious organization. During Pastor Szathmary�s time the Sunday School was reorganized and choirs established both for children and adults.
The church purchased the first electric organ.

Several more social organizations were started under Pastor Szathmary such as: the Altar Guild, Lutheran Thimble Guild and Senior Ladies Guild. Many improvements to the church property were accomplished during this time, especially the construction of the church office building. Pastor Szathmary resigned in 1954 after 14 years of service.

According to the annual report for 1955, the Thimble Guild, under the presidency of Rose Kalman published a very successful booklet, in great demand, �Hungarian Cookery in America.� Over 3,000 copies were distributed.

Twenty different social events were held during the year to raise the necessary funds to purchase several new office/Sunday school and church items. A new typewriter, slide projector and filmstrip projector were purchased as aswell as a new filing cabinet and fire protection equipment.
The annual report was mailed to members at a cost of one and a half cents.

George Chato, Christian service committee chair during the year 1956 commented on the lack of cooperation on the part of the congregation. �It seems that our people are completely satisfied to sit back and let the other fellow do all the work.�

The annual report for the year 1956 notes the increase in youth dances. For the very first time, the benevolence to the New Jersey Synod was paid in full. On April 23, 1956 the Stewardship committee held a special meeting because of the expansion problems with the youth and Sunday School. Committee members Messrs. Chato, Wallner and Takacs met with Mr. Gowen to see if he was willing to sell them his lot. He was not.

On youth Sunday in 1956 Stephen J. Kalman did a �very noble job in delivering the sermon.�

During the congregations first 50 years membership had increased from fifty to nearly 600. Pastor Bell resigned his call at the end of 1958.

Pastor Joseph Molar III conducted his first service as our seventh pastor on June 21, 1959. This was his first call, as he had just graduated from Gettysburg Theological Seminary in May of that year. With Pastor Molnar, the congregation called a pastor specifically to preach in English. While Hungarian language services were still offered on the first and third Sundays of the month, they were officiated by Pastor Alexander Poloskey, a retired pastor.

In 1965 the reported church membership totaled 440. New classrooms were added to the education building much to the delight of Parish Education Chair, Marianna Sandor. With the appointment of her husband, Robert Sandor, a professional teacher, the Sunday School now had a principal.

During 1966 the mortgage was finally burned and air conditionin was installed in the church. Pastor Molnar resigned his call and Vice-Gordon Folke led worship.

Council President Stephen Kalman stated, �It is my hope that we do not sit on the accomplishments of the past, but rather that we run after the challenges of the future.�

Pastor George W. Reiker, Jr. became the congregations eighth pastor on February 6, 1967. He quoted St. Paul in Colossians 1:9: �That God will fill each one with the knowledge of His will; then you will be able to choose what is best, to do what pleases Him and to be free from all impurity on the Day of Jesus Christ.� This was his prayer for the congregation and the theme for his pastorate.

On November 17, 1968 a special 60th Anniversary service was held. Pastor Julius Szathmary was the guest preacher for the three services.

During 1970 the church experienced great difficulty in keeping members in the pews, keeping money in the bank and maintaining the peace. Both Pastor Rieker and Council President Sylvester Paladino reported growing frustrations with the �cliques and segments� pulling the church apart. With the decrease in membership, by transfer and removal, the financial situation was grim. The church was not able to meet its expenses, as every month a short fall of hundreds, if not thousands of dollars was noted.

On April 25, 1971 a special meeting was held to discuss the situation with the church organ. All were in agreement to purchase a new organ and sell the old organ to a congregation in Trenton for $400. The pipe organ was purchase for $8,00 from the Church Organ Company in Edison and dedicated in February 1972.

By 1975 the church membership had dropped by 50% to 220. The overall giving had decreased and the benevolence apportionment had dropped by 40%. The church was in serious crisis.

November 1978 marked the 70th Anniversary of our congregation. Inner city problems continued to plague the church. Fewer members were willing to leave their homes during the night to attend church functions and meetings. Poor parking facilities forced many to stay home.

The Murray Margolis Family donated a new Schulmerich Carillon to the church on the occasion of the church�s 70th Anniversary.

In order to help with the financial situation, the congregation decided to rent the first floor of the Parish Education Building to the Visiting Homemakers Association of Middlesex County in July of 1979 for $4, 200 a year.

In 1981 Pastor Rieker commented on the future of Ascension, �mayber we should begin action to turn over the church properties in accordance with article III, section 8 of the congregation�s constitution.�

On November 12, 1983, the church celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a dinner-dance at the HAAC�s hall. In preparation for the special anniversary, the church carpeting was cleaned and the church interior and exterior were painted. A new roof was placed on the parsonage at a cost of 1,160.
Rose and Rosalie Kalman re-painted the altar. The fire damage to the ladies� room was completely repaired.

In 1985 Pastor David B. Johnson became the congregations ninth Pastor. During the previous twenty years, 340 members left Ascension. Pastor Johnson inherited a membership of 100.

After Pastor Rieker�s resignation in 1984 the parsonage in North Brunswick was sold and the congregation experienced a positive cash flow.

During Pastor Johnson�s three years at Ascension, he organized the church office and records. The Congregational ministry areas were re-structured and presented to the congregation so as to be easily understood. Pastor Johnson felt that the church was �at the threshold of growth.�

The witness committee reached out into the community. Stephen Kalman, the Witness Deacon spoke of the changing landscape of New Brunswick and more and more Hispanic families moved into the area. Much of our donations of clothing and food went to these families.

In 1989 the church steps were replaced at a cost of $10, 000. The work was done by Malcolm Murphy.

Pastor Matt Thiringer was called to be the congregation�s tenth Pastor on February 18, 1990. Under his tenure Christian education and worship were the focus. As such, children�s sermons were started and Sunday school was increased to every Sunday. Communion was celebrated the first and third Sundays during the month.

Stephen Kalman�s presidential address stressed the importance of attracting new members to both the church and council. As we continued to lose members, it was difficult to find replacements to serve the church. More and more work had to be shouldered by fewer and fewer people.

Over the next several years church attendance increased yet the giving decreased and the congregation was operating on a bare bones budget. In response to the financial challenges, the Pastor�s positions became part-time. Pastor Thiringer shared his time with Lutheran Campus Ministries on the Rutgers University Campus.

Additional income was realized through renting the facility to CAC Childcare Center and the Seventh-Day Adventist church.

The president�s report for 1993 was optimistic as he reflected on the fact that we were witnessing a growth in attendance, number of worship services and increase in giving, so much that our bills were paid and current.

In 1995 new church doors were donated by Mary Elizabeth Kish in memory of her sister, Irene Kish.

Through a grant from the New Jersey Synod of $4,00, a much needed fire suppression system was purchased for the church kitchen. This allowed the continuation and expansion of the childcare center from part time to full-time.

On May 4, 1998 Pastor Thiringer resigned his call at Ascension to become Pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Keyport.

On July 1, 1998, Pastor Robert Hugh Wilson was appointed Interim Pastor of Ascension.

On November 15, 1998 Ascension celebrated its 90th anniversary with a special service and a dinner at the HAAC�s hall. The congregation continued to hold its own financially through the extra rental incomes.

On October 29, 2000 a new bell carillon system (fully computerized) was given by Arlene Milcsik and her family in memory of loved ones.

In 2002 a handicapped lift was installed so that homebound members could attend services. Several more rental agreements were entered into with small congregations looking for a place of worship. By now more than half of Ascension�s income came from outside sources.

On November 9, 2003 Ascension celebrated its 95th Anniversary with a special service and dinner at McAteer�s Restaurant.

During 2005, the congregation in response to an ever-changing New Brunswick population, contacted the New Jersey Synod Office to seek advice on how to start a pilot Latino Ministry project.