[1] Designed by architect William Halsey Wood, the cornerstone for the Church of the Ascension was laid in Pittsburgh on Sunday, July 4, 1897.

[4] The choir's choral accomplishments peaked twice under the direction of Herbert C. Peabody in the 1930s and Robert Hamilton Cato in the 1940s.

[5] The new church building was then officially dedicated on December 30, 1898, during what was described by Pittsburgh-area newspapers as "an elaborate program," which was led by the Rev.

The initial music program performed by the church's choirs during the next morning's opening services included:[2] The Rt.

Bishop then delivered the sermon, which was followed by the choir's performance of the hymn, "O 'Twas a Joyful Sound to Hear," the offertory portion of the service, the choir's performance of Archer's festival anthem, "The Glorious Majesty of the Lord," A. S. Sullivan's "Draw Nigh" as the communion hymn, and Felix Mendelssohn's "Hark!