White Marsh was a secluded spot, difficult to access in the early days, and inconveniently situated for both priest and people. The original town of Bowie began to grow in population in the 1890's. It became an important railroad station between Baltimore and Washington, besides being at the junction of Pope's Creek Line to southern Maryland. The original church for the Parish of Ascension was erected near the train line in 1893 and was served from White Marsh. In November 1903, the Fathers of White Marsh, with all their belongings, moved to a new residence near the Church of the Ascension, a distance of six miles. Services were then only conducted at White Marsh every second Sunday.