Prior to the founding of what came to be Ascension Parish in 1980, most Catholics in the Teays Valley area belonged to St. Francis Church in St. Albans or Holy Trinity Church in Nitro. Due to the dedication of a small group of people, the dream of having a Catholic parish in Putnam County became a reality.

In 1979 Bishop Joseph H. Hodges established a mission in Hurricane.  Fr. Laurence Wrenn was assigned to St. Francis in St. Albans as Associate Pastor with the additional responsibility of establishing a mission in Hurricane.  In the Spring of 1980 a Chuch Advisory Council was created with the purpose of obtaining a church building for the Catholics in the Teays Valley area. With diocesan assistance an achitect was hired and plans were approved. On September 14, 1980 the Mission in Hurricane was elevated to a parish and Fr. Wrenn was named its first pastor.  On May 28, 1981, the Feast of the Ascension, the first Mass was celebrated at Ascension Parish.

The growth of the parish from a small handful in the late 1970s to 500 families has been phenomenal. The continuing growth is a testament to the warmth and commitment of parishoners and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.