About Church of the Ascension · Albuquerque, New Mexico
Church of the Ascension is a Roman Catholic parish in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving the faithful at 2150 Raymac Road SW since 1965. It is one of the parishes of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and is best known in the city for its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The parish describes itself as 'a diverse community of pilgrims' who celebrate the sacraments, listen to the Word of God, serve their neighbors and give glory to God in union with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the Universal Church.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- The Ascension of the Lord
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santa Fe)
Why belong here
Church of the Ascension offers a stable sacramental life in the South Valley — Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, weekday Masses three days a week and one of the few Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapels in the Albuquerque area (open 24/7, pausing only on Good Friday and Holy Saturday until after the Easter Vigil). The parish also reaches beyond the church walls through a cemetery apostolate at the historic Los Padillas Cemetery, giving families a long-standing Catholic burial option. For Catholics in the 87105 ZIP code who want daily adoration, traditional liturgy and a clear connection to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, it is a natural spiritual home.
Mass times at Church of the Ascension
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, 24 hours / 7 days a week. Solemn adoration does not take place on Good Friday or Holy Saturday until after the Easter Vigil.
Welcome and Parish Identity
The parish mission statement on ascensionabq.org reads: 'Eucharist gives life to the Church of the Ascension. We are disciples in a diverse community of pilgrims who are following the footsteps of Our Lord through the celebration of the sacraments, listening to the Word of God, serving our brothers and sisters and giving glory to God in union with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the Universal Church.' The parish frames itself as a 'community of pilgrims' — both a literal reference to those who come to adore the Blessed Sacrament around the clock and a spiritual image of the Christian life.
Parish Office and Practical Information
The parish office is open on a regular weekday schedule and serves as the contact point for sacramental scheduling, cemetery inquiries, and general parish business. The mailing address and phone are listed in the parish's own materials and confirmed by independent parish directories.
- Address: 2150 Raymac Rd. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105
- Phone: (505) 877-8550
- Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 8:00 AM; Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–3:30 PM (per official site listing)
Los Padillas Cemetery
Church of the Ascension is the custodian of Los Padillas Cemetery, located about five miles south of the junction of South Coors and Rio Bravo Boulevard in the South Valley. According to a local genealogical record, a homesteader, on finding the cemetery on his property, deeded it to the Catholic Church (Church of the Ascension) with the provision that burial sites would be available free of charge to nearby residents. The earliest documented burial dates to 1902, and the cemetery is still in active use. Information about the cemetery can be obtained through the parish office.
- Earliest documented burial: 1902
- Free burial provision for nearby residents, per the original deed
- Walked and recorded in 2006 for an Eagle Scout project (BSA Troop 205)
Vocations and Archdiocesan Ties
The parish website links directly to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Office of Vocations and highlights a 'Pilgrimage for Vocations,' indicating that Church of the Ascension is actively connected to the Archdiocese's broader priestly and religious vocations apostolate rather than operating as an independent community.
- Linked to Archdiocese of Santa Fe Office of Vocations
- Pilgrimage for Vocations apostolate referenced on parish site
History and Clergy Heritage
The parish was established in 1965 according to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's official parish list. Among its known clergy is Monsignor Anthony Bolman, a long-serving priest of the Archdiocese (ordained May 28, 1960) who served as pastor of Church of the Ascension as his final assignment before his death on October 3, 2021, at age 95. The parish has also been home to permanent deacons, including Deacon William Hoefler, who was ordained June 19, 1976 and continued diaconal ministry at Church of the Ascension after his retirement in May 2017.
- Founded 1965 (Archdiocese of Santa Fe records)
- Msgr. Anthony Bolman — pastor at time of his 2021 death
- Deacon William Hoefler — served at parish 1976–2017+
Online and Social Presence
The parish communicates with parishioners through its official website, weekly online bulletin, and an official Facebook page. A separate Facebook 'Ascension Catholic Church Community Group' also serves as a community space for parishioners and neighbors. The bulletin page (ascensionabq.org/bulletin) is regularly updated with parish announcements and the weekly worship aid.
- Official website: ascensionabq.org
- Online bulletin: ascensionabq.org/bulletin
- Facebook page: facebook.com/ChurchofTheAscensionABQ
- Community group: facebook.com/groups/506830386191034
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Anthony Bolman
Long-serving priest of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe (ordained 1960). Served as pastor of Church of the Ascension in Albuquerque as his final parish assignment before his death on October 3, 2021, at age 95.
- Deacon William HoeflerRetired to Ascension May 2017 until his death
Permanent deacon ordained June 19, 1976. After retiring in May 2017, he continued diaconal ministry at Church of the Ascension for 45 total years.