ca. 1931. Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, 1901 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. Architect George W. Bullard designed this church that was built in 1929 by the Tuell Bro. contractors for the Japanese American community. It later became the Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church. It was deconsecrated in December of 1999 when it was purchased by the University of Washington. It was listed in 2003 as the Abbey Ballroom or the Abbey. Bowen # CHU-027

The congregation of the Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church posed for a group portrait on November 27, 1955. A banner reading "Forward with Christ" is placed before them. There appear to be many young people in the congregation. Rev. Alpha H. Takagi was listed in the 1955 City Directory as pastor. The church underwent a name change to Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church in the 1960's but later closed in 1999 due to declining attendance. It had served Japanese-American families for more than 90 years, from its start in 1907 as a mission society for Japanese immigrants. The church was closed from 1942 to 1946 due to the war; membership increased following the reopening with the return of those in relocation camps. The University of Washington purchased the church and property in October, 1999, with plans to develop its Tacoma campus. (TNT 12-11-99, p. 1)

Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church (Tacoma); Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

Department of Interior details of Japanese church. In 1942 Japanese Americans in Pierce County were ordered into temporary detention camps located at the Puyallup Fair Grounds and later some were sent to permanent detention facilities in California and Idaho. Following the mass evacuations, Japanese homes, churches and businesses were searched for evidence proving disloyalty. This ransacked room has been identified as being located in the Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, 1901 Fawcett Ave. There were two Japanese churches in Tacoma during this time, the Japanese Buddhist Church and the Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, both located on Fawcett Avenue. (Additional information provided by a reader)

World War, 1939-1945--War destruction & pillage--Tacoma; Searching--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945;