Group at First Baptist Church, Times, Dick Yost. William Anderson, a student at Stewart Junior High School, right, is pointing to a strategic point on the map of Palestine in this February 24, 1948 photograph. Looking on are, L-R, Glen Coe, Inez Jackson, Director of Mason Junior High robed choir, Suzanne Haskin, Robert Gray Junior High and E.T. Munz, counselor, First Baptist Church junior high fellowship. The junior high school students were in charge of providing music and the message at the evening services at First Baptist this week. (T.Times, 2/28/1948, p.3)

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Anderson, William; Coe, Glen; Jackson, Inez; Haskin, Suzanne; Baptist churches--Tacoma; Teenagers--1940-1950; Maps; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On a sunny Easter Sunday in 1939, three boys struggled with a potted lilly in front of the Central Baptist Church at 1201 So. J St. The boys were, left to right, solemn Gerald Larson, Gene Johnson balancing the plant and a huge grin and Peter Larson. A female parishioner, with corsage, watched from the background. The Gothic wooden church in the background was built in 1900 as the First Swedish Baptist Church. In 2005, it was named to the Tacoma Registry of Historic Places and is currently being restored. (T. Times 4/10/1939, pg. 3)

Central Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Easter--Tacoma; Larson, Gerald; Johnson, Gene; Larson, Peter;

Bethlehem Baptist Church primarily had African-American members. In January 1959 Bethlehem Baptist Church was destroyed by a fire, the congregation decided to rebuild their facilities. View of banquet celebrating the 10th anniversary of Reverend Edward Byard Wilson; Reverend Wilson (seated on the right next to wife Allie) is joined by family, friends, and other church members. TPL-8582

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American churches--Tacoma; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Wilson, Edward Byard; Clergy--Tacoma; Wilson, Allie;

Interior of First Baptist Church showing choir members in gowns.

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music);

US Congressman Wesley Lloyd's funeral at the First Baptist Church. Casket draped with flag, stage covered with flowers. The Church is adorned with 150-200 separate floral displays. Representative Lloyd died of a heart attack in his apartment in Washington, D.C. The Tacoma attorney was serving his second consecutive term as the Democratic representative for the new 6th Congressional District. The district was composed of Tacoma, Pierce County and most of King County, outside of Seattle. The criminal lawyer was the partner of Leo McGavick. He and his family resided at 3919 No. 34th. (T. Times 1/16/1936, pg. 5)

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Lloyd, Wesley--Death & burial; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lying in state--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1926. Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, general view of exterior. Stone church by Heath and Gove, Architects. 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Sixth Avenue Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Sixth Avenue Baptist Church. Located at the intersection of Sixth & Fife, the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church has been a presence in the area since 1924. The church was designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell and was built of cut stone. An educational wing, to the right of the original imposing edifice, was added in 1963.

Sixth Avenue Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma;

This view of the Calvary Baptist Church's sanctuary was taken from a rear balcony, perhaps the choir loft, on February 7, 1958. The arched open beams emphasize the ceiling's height. Wooden pews face the plain altar. The piano and organ are hidden from parishioners' viewpoint by wooden screens. There are also rows of seats behind the altar. In September, 1999, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma; Rilco Laminated Products, Inc. (Tacoma);

In August of 1949 the congregation of the Bethlehem Baptist Church of Tacoma celebrated the 10th anniversary of Reverend Edward Byard Wilson, Pastor. The Bethlehem Baptist Church was dedicated in August 1922; the church building costs were about $10,000. This church is located at South 18th & I Street, in the Hilltop area of Tacoma. On January 7, 1959 the church was virtually destroyed by a fire, and it had to be rebuilt.

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Preaching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American churches--Tacoma; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Wilson, Edward Byard; Clergy--Tacoma;

The congregation of Sixth Avenue Baptist Church listens attentively to its minister, Rev. Victor A. McKee, in late January, 1953. Members of the children's and adult's choirs are seated up front. The church is nearly full, with people also sitting in the balcony. The covered table in front of the minister may be for Communion. Photograph ordered by Victor A. McKee. TPL-9619

Religious services--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baptist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Sixth Avenue Baptist Church (Tacoma); McKee, Victor A.;

Interior of Calvary Baptist Church. Standing behind the pulpit is believed to be the Rev. Robert S. Hess, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. There is an abundance of wood in this church, from the long rows of pews to the arched and beamed ceilings. Rilco Laminated Products, Inc., may have supplied some of the wood products used in the sanctuary. Calvary Baptist Church has had a long history in Tacoma; it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1999. In June, 1997, a rare twister damaged the church buildings; it was subsequently rededicated in September, 1997. Photograph ordered by Calvary Baptist Church.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma;

Exterior - Calvary Baptist Church. A brick tower with a simple cross stands between the Calvary Baptist Church and its auxiliary building in a February 7, 1958, photograph. The church is located in a brick building with a steep roofline. A cross is placed on one end of the building. The auxiliary building is a modern structure, also made of brick, with multiple windows. Calvary Baptist remains located today at 6511 South C St., a couple of blocks from Pacific Avenue. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminiated Products, Inc.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma;

Exterior - Temple Baptist Church, 1961. Designed by Silas E. Nelsen and built of reinforced concrete in 1949, the Temple Baptist Church was located at 245 Saint Helens Avenue. Dr. Robert L. Powell was the church's pastor. The sanctuary was completed in 1960. Temple Baptist has been located at 1108 Columbia Ave. in Fircrest since 2001.

Temple Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma;

Washington Baptist Convention at the First Baptist Church of Tacoma. Large group of people gathered in front of the church. Wilkeson sandstone building by Heath and Gove, Architects; 1925.

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

First Baptist Church, general view of exterior. Wilkenson sandstone building by Heath and Gove, Architects; 1925. (T. Times, Special Edition) [Also dated February 1940] (filed with Argentum)

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Interior shot of the First Baptist Church on Easter Sunday, April 9th, 1939. (filed with Argentum)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Easter--Tacoma;

ca. 1930. Bethesda Baptist Church, 4340 So. L St., Tacoma, as photographed circa 1930. Built in 1907 as the Home Telephone Co. substation; Russell and Babcock, architects. The building was remodeled in 1926 by Silas E. Nelsen for the Bethesda Church. Address was formerly 4338 So. L St.; alternate address 1201 S. 45th

ca. 1931. Grace Baptist Church, 3502 No. Mullen, Tacoma. The church was built in 1928 and was only a few years old when this picture was taken. Bowen# CHU-043

ca. 1931. Church of the Nazarene, 1001 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma. The church was built in 1909 as the Norwegian-Danish Baptist Church. It has since been demolished. Bowen # CHU-055

Built of Wilkeson sandstone donated by Robert Walker, the First Baptist Church was nearly ready for its dedication set for June of 1925. Designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell and built by J.E. Bonnell, contractor, the huge church cost about $250,000. The fencing around the church would be removed by Sunday, June 7th. First Baptist's congregation chose to remain in the downtown area so built on a vacant lot adjoining its old site. "We aim to make this a great friendly downtown church for everybody," said pastor C.O. Johnson. In just a few years First Baptist grew to become one of the largest churches on the West Coast. The years 1924-25 saw perhaps a record in church construction in Tacoma with the First Baptist Church, Sixth Avenue Baptist, First Presbyterian, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and Fern Hill Baptist among those built. First Baptist is now called Urban Grace, the Downtown Church. BU11,472 (TNT 6-4-25, p. 11)

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1979. Vocational First Baptist Church, 1810 Tacoma Ave. So., circa 1979.

Vocational First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1970-1980;

This is the choir of the Bethlehem Baptist Church as photographed in February of 1950. The choir president, William Ervin, is in the center of the second row. Bethlehem Baptist, 1723 South "I," was founded in 1890 and was the oldest African American Baptist church in the city of Tacoma. The church at this location was dedicated in 1922, destroyed in a 1959 fire, and rebuilt. (TNT 4-7-50, p. 4 - alt. photograph & complete listing of choir members)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (music); Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ervin, William;

This is the choir of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1723 South "I" Street, as photographed in February of 1950. The choir was led by William Ervin, at center (with hymnal) next to church pastor Rev. E.B. Wilson. Bethlehem Baptist was founded in 1890 in Tacoma and was the oldest African American Baptist church in the city. The church at this location was dedicated in 1922. It was destroyed by fire in 1959 and subsequently rebuilt. Rev. E.B. Wilson was a member of Bethlehem Baptist for 50 years and served as its minister for 20 years. (TNT 4/7/1950, p.4 complete listing of choir names) TPL-10345

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wilson, Edward B.; Clergy--Tacoma; Ervin, William;

In March of 1950 the Central Baptist Church at South 11th Street and Grant Avenue was nearing completion. The modified Colonial building of brick trimmed in sandstone and Monel metal was designed by Silas E. Nelsen, architect, and constructed by O.F. Larson & Son, contractors, at a cost of $120,000. The completed church was dedicated on Sunday May 20, 1950. The design called for sanctuary with seating for 850, a social hall and dining room for 300, a complete Sunday school units for 500, a church office, a pastor's study and janitor's quarters. The area to the right of the main structure was where the Sunday school building was to be added at a later date. The church is currently home to the New Jerusalum Church of God. TPL-8337

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Central Baptist Church (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Members of Tacoma's Rainbow Court No. 42 and Seattle's Sarah W. Dupree Court No. 19 of the Heroines of Jericho held joint Holy Week services in Tacoma at Bethlehem Baptist Church in March of 1964. Members and officials of the Rainbow Court are posed in the foreground; Seattle contingent in back row. L-R, front row: Era M. Martin, Vivian Jones, Lucy B. Marshall, Jessie M. Baldwin, Worthy Joshua Gerald L. Baldwin, Hallie Brooks, Sarah Booth, Julie Gillum and Berdie Johnson. 2nd row: Maggie White, Lizzy Green, Cora Walker, Octavia Charles, Benny Ruth Fox, Elizabeth Wesley and Laura Latmier. 3rd row: Court directors Louis J. Marshall and Robert L. White, Helen Adams. 4th row: Clara White, Mrs. Allen M. Douglas, Helen Krisel, Edith Allen, Janie M. Bennett, Leona Kidd, Floy Ruffins, Addalana Moore, Beatrice Chatters and past Worthy Joshua William Hawkins. (TNT 3-26-64, p. 7)

Group portraits; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Heroines of Jericho;

Frosted windows, open beam ceilings, and parquet block walls provide a cozy setting for a study room in the Calvary Baptist Church. This is possibly in the church's auxiliary building. A large screen is placed before rows of wooden seats; a piano is close by. This may have been the setting for a Sunday School class or possibly a Bible study room. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1931. Fern Hill Baptist Church, 8441 So. G St., Tacoma. It is not clear what year this church was built, but the congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1940. The church suffered a fire in 1957. Bowen # CHU-006

ca. 1931. The First Norwegian Lutheran Church was dedicated in February of 1891. This church, which still stands at 1211 So. I Street, later became the Shiloh Baptist Church with Reverend Earnest S. Brazill as its minister. Rev. Brazill retired in 1999 after serving his congregation for 44 years. He died September 1, 2000. A new sanctuary has been erected next to the old church, but the original church lives on as one of the oldest buildings on I Street. Bowen# CHU-052

In November of 1937, the choir of the First Baptist Church, 902 Market St., was photographed with the ministerial staff. The choir was under the direction of Ernest C. Sheppard, standing left in the group of four at the front of the choir. He had been director of the choir for 20 years. Standing in the front with Mr. Sheppard were, left to right, Mrs. Norma Wadsworth, pianist, Rev. Weldon Wilson, Pastor, and Clayton Johnson, organist. The large downtown church was built in 1925 from a design by Heath, Gove & Bell, architects. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg. 16)

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music); Sheppard, Ernest C.; Wadsworth, Norma; Wilson, Weldon M.; Clergy--Tacoma--1930-1940; Johnson, Clayton;

Exterior of the open front door to the new Central Baptist Church at So. 11th and Grant Ave. Central Baptist was one of the oldest churches in Tacoma, established in 1893 with 25 members. At the time that the new $120,000 church was constructed, Rev. Bror O. Lundgren was serving as minister of the church. The exterior of the modified Colonial was brick trimmed in sandstone and monel metal. The dedication of the new church was held in May 1950. (TNT 5/18/1950 pg. A-4)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Central Baptist Church (Tacoma);