ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, general view of exterior. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. The design by senior architect Ralph Adams Cram called for a center courtyard with a walkway connecting the main center of worship, right, with the building housing the daily functions and administration of the church. The main chapel is adorned with ecclesiastic symbols and colors. The tower can be seen over this area of the city, making it a true landmark. The church is listed on the City and National Historic Registry. (WSHS, Argentum)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. View of a covered brick walkway at the First Presbyterian Church, ca. 1926. The Romanesque church was built from a design submitted by Ralph Adams Cram, founder of the architectural firm of Cram & Ferguson in Boston. The firm was the most famous designer of churches in the country. The church was designed around a courtyard with a pillared colonnade separating the portions of the church. The brick courtyard with its stone benches can be seen to the left of the walkway. (WSHS)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church. The Church was constructed in the early -mid 1920's from a design by senior architect Ralph Adams Cram of the firm of Cram and Ferguson of Boston. Its tower stands above the church, adorned with statues of four apostles, John, Matthew, Mark & Luke, as well as religious symbols. Its stained glass windows were designed by Mr. Cram and manufactured by Colonial Stained Glass Window Works of Boston. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture and is on the City Registry. (WSHS)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

South Puget Sound Circuit Convention. Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Tacoma-Washington, April 24-26, 1925. Group of people in front of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Building by A.S. Knight, Architect, 1905. (filed with Argentum)

Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Choir at Our Saviors English Lutheran Church. Director: Mrs. J.A.E. Naess. (WSHS- negative A902-0)

Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Choirs (Music);

A group of thirteen men and two women pose on the front steps of a building for a group portrait, "Conference Presidents and Office Staff, Northwestern States Mission, Tacoma, Wash., December 19, 1925." The Northwestern States Mission was organized in July of 1897 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, for the purpose of locating lost members who had migrated to the Northwest. (WSHS) (www.mission.net/oregon)

Group portraits--Tacoma--1920-1930; Northwestern States Mission (Tacoma); Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Church membership--Tacoma;

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, general view of interior of the main auditorium. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. The lights, hung from heavy chains, were constructed of antique iron. All of the interior features, including the carved wooden pieces and stained glass windows, were designed by Ralph Adams Cram. In 1926, the church's membership exceeded 2200, making it the largest Protestant church in Tacoma and the 33rd largest Presbyterian church in the country. (WSHS, Argentum)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

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);

Exterior view of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Russell and Babcock, Architects, 1909. Spanish Mission style church with tower at rear. Taken in conjunction with the December 1936 Charles Mattson kidnapping case. (Seattle Star).

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. Thornton Shaw, Charles Mattson's teacher at Immanuel Presbyterian Church Sunday School, sitting at desk. On December 27, 1936 at approximately 9 p.m., ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped from his parent's home at 4605 No. Verde by a masked gunman. The gunman, viewed by his brother, sister and family friend, was described as 40, 5'7", 145 pounds, swarthy complected with a heavy dark beard and European accent. He left a ransom note demanding $28,000. In the days that followed, the kidnapper made confusing and conflicting demands of Dr. and Mrs. William Mattson by mail and telephone. Charles' body was found January 10. 1937 in a snowy, wooded area near Everett. The discovery prompted the largest manhunt in Pacific Northwest history, but the murderer was never found. (photograph T. Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaw, Thornton; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Exterior of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Russell and Babcock, Architects, 1909. Nativity scene, said to be a favorite of young kidnap and murder victim Charles Mattson. Taken in connection with the unsolved Mattson kidnapping case. (photograph T. Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Easter morning, March 28, 1937, at the First Presbyterian Church. The congregation gathers on the sidewalk in front of the building. Large trees and grass embellish the wide parkway between the sidewalk and street. (T. Times)

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

Easter morning, March 28, 1937, was one of the best weather wise in many years. Churches were crowded in the morning with the fellowships spilling outside at the end of the sermons to enjoy the sunshine. The choir at the First Presbyterian Choir was photographed assembled in courtyard of church. (T. Times, 3/29/37 p. 1)

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

A double mock wedding portrayed by small children at Epworth Methodist Church.

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Children playing adults;

Children's mock wedding. Large group of young children dressed in tuxedos, wedding dresses, and formals posed for a portrait inside Epworth Methodist Church.

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Children playing adults;

First Congregational Church choir, circa November of 1937, with a pipe organ in the background. A cropped version of this picture appeared in the November 19, 1937 Tacoma Times. The choir was celebrating their 12th season with J.W. Bixel as conductor and Mrs. Walter McHaney as organist. During that time, the choir had presented 150 anthems and choruses, most of them by the master composers. In the photograph, Mr. Bixel and Rev. Holland F. Burr are standing in front of the choir. (T. Times 11/19/1937, pg. 3).

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Choirs (music); Bixel, John W.;

Easter Morning, March 28, 1937, at Tacoma Churches. Left to right, Jane Parker, Joan Finch, Seymour S. Todd, Marjory Long, Jean Williams, Kathryn Burr, Virginia Lee (Wendy) Wagner (later Weyerhaeuser) and Mollie Mae Morris outside of First Congregational Church. (T. Times 3/29/37 p. 1)

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Easter--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parker, Jane; Finch, Joan; Todd, Seymour S.; Long, Marjory; Williams, Jean; Burr, Kathryn; Wagner, Virginia Lee; Morris, Mollie Mae;

Annual Sunday School rally, group of approximately 300, Faith Temple, Mrs. DeWeese. A large congregation of children and adults gathered September 26, 1948, at Faith Temple. They had advertised a "Great Combined Sunday School Rally and Morning Worship Service" at 10 a.m.; a "Young People and Hour of Power Service" at 6:15 p.m.; and an "Evangelistic and Singspriation" at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. R.F. DeWeese would be preaching that day. R.F. DeWeese was the pastor and Jack Brown was the assistant pastor of Faith Temple. Their address was 1001 South K Street. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.3)

Sunday schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Churches--Tacoma; Faith Temple (Tacoma); Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950;

St. Leo's new convent at 13th and G Streets, Times, Father Krebsbach. The new convent of the Sisters of St. Francis was nearly complete and St. Leo's held an Open House September 26, 1948. Construction of the new convent, adjoining St. Leo's church, was begun March 1, 1948, and was expected to be complete the end of September at a cost of $125,000. The building contained 22 rooms in addition to the library, kitchen, community room and laundry facilities. A two-story arch surrounded the main doorway and a round window decorated the corner of the facade. A cross is placed at the peak of the roofline. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.1)

St. Leo's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sisters of St. Francis Convent (Tacoma); Convents--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma; Windows--Tacoma; Crosses;

The Norwegian, Rogalands Laget Convention was held at the Messiah Lutheran Church on August 14 and 15, 1948. Norwegians came from all parts of the state; two reporters for a Norwegian newspaper published in Fargo, North Dakota, attended. The program included addresses, music and other entertainment, presented in both English and Norwegian. This group photograph was taken in front of the Messiah Lutheran Church, built as the First Norwegian Lutheran Church in 1891. In 1959, it became the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and in 1965 the Shiloh Baptist Church. Ordered by Stavanger Lag (Lodge), Marie Sala, Secretary. (TNT, 8/11/1948, p. 18). TPL-6584

Messiah Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Group portraits; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Norwegian Americans;

Holy Rosary Church was originally a wooden structure built in 1891, in 1920 this gothic style building was erected at the same site. This church is 270 feet from the ground to the cross, the steeple is 54 feet. In 1941 Holy Rosary Catholic Church celebrated its 50th anniversary. View of scaffolding in the altar area, three workmen are located on top, the church was likely going through some maintenance or painting. Background view of side chapels, Altar, High Altar, aisle, pews, podium, and religious statues.

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altarpieces--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Vaults (Architecture)--Tacoma; Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma);

Glenna Ann Gaffney and James B. Dickson were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church September 11, 1948. A white runner is lying on the carpet down the central aisle of the church where the bride and her attendants walked to the central altar. The bride can be seen on the left side of the altar, the priest is in the center and the groom is on the right. The bride was a graduate of St. Leo's and attended Seattle University. The groom attended Washington Technical Institute of Seattle. The interior of the church is lit by central chandeliers and side sconces. Columns rise into arches and rib-vaulted ceilings. (T.Times, 9/18/1948, p.10)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chandeliers; Altars--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gaffney, Glenna Ann--Marriage; Dickson, James B.; Priests--Tacoma;

Wedding party at altar at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Dorothy Blanche Gourley and Robert Frank Mennitti were married during the late summer with Reverend Father Buckman and 250 guests. Dorothy, the daughter of Earl B. and Elsie L. Gourley and Robert, the son of Rocco J. and Jennie Minnitti, were both graduates of Stadium High School. Robert had also graduated from the College of Puget Sound. (T.Times, 9/7/1948, p.6)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Mennitti, Robert Frank; Gourley, Dorothy Blanche; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950;

Members of the Polish National Alliance posed at the dedication of St. Joseph's Church, 602 South 34th St., on May 19, 1912. The men all wear ribbons/medals. It is not known whether the large group participated in the parade down Pacific Avenue prior to the church dedication.

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Polish National Alliance (Tacoma);

ca. 1944. Tacoma Central Ward Aaronic Priesthood boys displaying their Standard Quorum Award with Bishop Franklin S. Harris and James Milligan. First boy on left is Robert E. Evans.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma);

Bishop Edward J. O'Dea at dedication of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 602 South 34th Street, on May 19, 1912. He was assisted by Rev. Father Paul Kern and Rev. Aloysius Mlinar, rector. Some of the 150 members appeared in this photograph with two young girls carrying large bouquets. St. Joseph's was the first Slovak Catholic church built in the Northwest. The building and ground were paid for entirely by Slavonian church members or those in the Slovak community. The church was built by its congregation who labored after finishing their regular jobs. It was estimated that this volunteer labor saved more than $10,000 in construction costs with the building costs initially set at $25,000. (TDL 5-19-12, p. 33-article)

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1910-1912; Church dedications--Tacoma;

Parishioners celebrated the dedication of the St. Joseph Slovak Catholic Church on May 19, 1912. The church, located at 602 South 34th St., was built by congregation members who had purchased the site in April of 1908. Piles of bricks remained in the photograph's foreground across the street from the church. The structure stood 92 x 46-feet tall with a full concrete basement. The auditorium was 46 x 73-feet and seated 450 people. Membership was approximately 150. St. Joseph's was the first Slovak Catholic church built in the Northwest. (TDL 5-19-12, p. 33-article)

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1910-1920; Church dedications--Tacoma;

ca. 1944. Tacoma Central Ward. Seattle Washington Stake. Congregation in front of church during World War II. The church was located at 1603 North Steele St., the former home of Central Christian Church until 1917. A few members have been identified: Raymond N. Parker first row left, Roy McKinnon second on first row. Roy Baldwin third from right, first row and Franklin S. Harris fourth from right, first row.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Parker, Raymond N.; McKinnon, Roy; Baldwin, Roy; Harris, Franklin S.;

Salvation Army conference at the Tacoma Hotel. Attendees pose for a group portrait on April 22, 1931 on the steps of the hotel. Many are wearing the familiar Salvation Army attire. Among those pictured is Col. Andrew Crawford of San Francisco, second in command of Salvation Army work in the Western states. G21.1-187 (TDL 4-22-31, p. 9-article on convention)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

Revival meeting. This great wooden tabernacle is packed as far as the eye can see in April of 1930 as people have gathered to have their spirits lifted and faith reaffirmed. They were awaiting the appearance of international evangelist Dr. Charles S. Price. Tacoma in the 1920's and early 30's hosted several revival meetings held in temporary structures. G22.1-005

Revivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;