Central Seventh Day Adventist Church. Located at 615 No. Sprague, the church had its first services in August, 1953. It was designed to be modernistic in feature by Silas E. Nelsen, architect, with John Wagner, who specialized in building churches, as construction supervisor. Church members supplied much of the labor required in building the church which probably kept costs lower. The church was dedicated in February, 1963, when the building was free of debt. Laurel J. Ehrhardt was pastor at the time of this April, 1968, photograph. Photograph ordered by Central Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma;

On January 9, 1968, official paperwork was signed at the Church of the Holy Communion, making the Church's parish house at 1407 So. I St. the home of the Hilltop Day Care Center. The Center started operation in mid-January, supplying needed child care to low-income parents. It was sponsored by the church and the Hilltop Multi-Service Center and operated Monday through Fridays. It had room for 37 children. The Episcopalian minister on the far right is Rev. E.O. Winckley, the pastor of the church. The woman in the middle of photograph wearing a broach is the director, Mrs. Janabea Gamell; the other woman is unidentified. The man standing is Herman Walker, head of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 12-27-67, A-5, TNT 1-13-68, p. 20)

Church of the Holy Communion (Tacoma); Document signings--Tacoma; Winckley, E.O.; Clergy--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gamell, Janabea; Walker, Herman; African Americans--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hilltop Community Child Day Care Center (Tacoma);

36 joyful children pose at St. Martin of Tours on Sunday, May 6, 1968. They appear ready for First Communion as the little girls are wearing veils and all children are dressed in gold and white robes.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Catholic churches--Fife; Rites & ceremonies--Fife; Communion;

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Located mere blocks from Pacific Avenue, Good Shepherd is still an active church some 36 years after this photograph was taken on February 16, 1970. This is the new sanctuary of Good Shepherd's; it would be dedicated on March 8, 1970, with a procession from the old chapel to the new. Constructed out of cedar and trimmed with stone, the large building had a full basement for social activities. The freestanding tower houses Maas-Rowe carillions which were a memorial gift to the church. The buildings and their contents had an estimated worth of $250,000. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-6-70, D-5)

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Wooden churches--Tacoma;

Parsonage at Good Shepherd. This is believed to be the contemporary two-story parsonage belonging to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The church is located close to Pacific Ave. at 140 E. 56th St. The parsonage is believed to be located at 131 E. 58th St. Rev. Roland Koch is listed in the 1970 City Directory as the church's pastor. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Religious dwellings--Tacoma;

Lutheran church. The tower and buildings are part of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 140 E. 56th St., as pictured on February 16, 1970. They are constructed primarily of cedar. This is Good Shepherd's new sanctuary that would be dedicated on Sunday, March 8, 1970. The large church had seating for 450 and a full basement for social activities. Good Shepherd is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-6-70, D-5)

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Wooden churches--Tacoma;

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Another view of part of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 140 E. 56th St., in February of 1970, about three weeks prior to the dedication of the church's new sanctuary. The structures were primarily constructed of cedar with stone trimming on the church. The freestanding tower contained Maas-Rowe carillions which were a memorial gift to the church. The Rev. Harold G. Johnson, who was the first resident pastor from 1951-55, traveled from California to be the guest speaker at the dedication on March 8, 1970. Good Shepherd's first chapel unit (not shown) was dedicated in 1954. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-6-70, D-5)

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Wooden churches--Tacoma;

Large confirmation class at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Fife. 23 boys and 30 girls posed in red and white robes on October 12, 1969, in the church. Religious leader in robes has been identified by St. Martin of Tours Church as Bishop Thomas Gill. Color photograph ordered by St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Rites & ceremonies--Fife; Confirmations--Fife; Gill, Thomas;

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;

New Prince Hall Grand Lodge members pose in front of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in July, 1967. Over 300 members attended the 65th Grand Lodge convention.

Group portraits; New Prince Hall Grand Lodge (Tacoma); Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

View of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Located at the corner of So. 43rd and So. "L," St. Paul's Methodist Church announced its Golden Jubilee celebration in 1940. A tent structure served as the church in 1890 until a permanent building was erected the following year; designed as a "lecture room and classroom," it was used as the church until a new building was completed in 1905. Through the years many improvements were made to the church property including new windows. Rev. Charles R. Davenport was listed as the pastor in the 1967 City Directory.

St. Paul's Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma;

On August 18, 1967, Pastor C. Russell Archer pointed out the detail on the arched door of the new home of the Faith Temple, 922-24 So. I St. Standing by him were Chairman of the Board of Trustees Arthur E. Alger (L) and assistant pastor, John R. Shearer. The modified Romanesque structure was previously home to the Swedish Mission Tabernacle and First Covenant Church. First Covenant sold the building in January, 1967, for $55,000 and moved to 3501 So. Orchard. Faith Temple's old church was located at So. 10th & K St. The congregation would march from their old location, now 1001 Martin Luther King Jr Way, to the new pictured church building on August 20th as part of the dedication ceremonies. Photograph ordered by Faith Temple. (TNT ad 8-5-67, p. 4; TNT 8-19-67, p. 5)

Faith Temple (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1960-1970; Archer, C. Russell; Alger, Arthur E.; Shearer, John R.;

Interior of Mountain View Lutheran Church, Edgewood. A wooden pulpit is embedded in rock inside the Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood. A simple cross surrounded by stone is at the altar. Rows of wooden pews face the cross and pulpit. The building is A-shaped with wooden dormers. Rev. Paul Braafladt was the congregation's pastor. At the time of this 1965 photograph, the church had a Puyallup address of 3617 - 21st St. N.E. Photograph ordered by Howard Smith Advertising. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Churches--Edgewood--1960-1970; Lutheran churches--Edgewood--1960-1970; Mountain View Lutheran Church (Edgewood); Pews--Edgewood; Crosses; Pulpits--Edgewood;

Exterior view of Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood. Large cross is focus of the ultra-modern A-framed Lutheran church's exterior on December 9, 1965. Rev. Paul Braafladt was the congregation's pastor. At the time of this 1965 photograph, the church's address was located in Puyallup's North Hill at 3617 -21st St. N.E. Photograph ordered by Howard Smith Advertising. (TNT 5-15-66, C-20) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Churches--Edgewood--1960-1970; Lutheran churches--Edgewood--1960-1970; Mountain View Lutheran Church (Edgewood); Crosses;

The wooden pews are empty in the Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood (then Puyallup) on December 9, 1965. Stone accentuates the natural appearance of this Lutheran church with its heavy emphasis on natural woods. This view was captured looking from the pulpit into the remainder of the sanctuary, including the organ loft. The church dedicated its new 17-rank tracker pipe organ on November 28, 1965, during Sunday morning worship. The organ weighed four tons and contained 856 pipes arranged in 17 ranks or sets with 13 speaking stops. It was the largest church pipe organ in the Puyallup-Sumner area. At the time of this 1965 photograph, the church showed an address of 3617 - 21st St. N.E., Puyallup. Photograph ordered by Howard Smith Advertising. (TNT 11-26-65, C-3) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Churches--Edgewood--1960-1970; Lutheran churches--Edgewood--1960-1970; Mountain View Lutheran Church (Edgewood); Pews--Edgewood; Pulpits--Edgewood;

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;

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;

ca. 1960. Exterior of St. Patrick's Church. Designed by architect Frederick Heath, the French Gothic-styled church celebrated its first services on Christmas, 1906. The church was dedicated on June 30, 1907. View of the massive stone building shows a crowd of people milling around the open doors; this spring, 1960, photograph was probably taken at one of the many weddings which occurred on its premises.

St. Patricks Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. Trinity was the area's largest Lutheran church. It was designed by John Richards of Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects. The main sanctuary could seat 800-1,000 people. A parsonage was added in 1961, designed by the same architectural firm. The church was remodeled in 1993, under the direction of the BJSS Group, architects. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15)

Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;

Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. Three bells adorn the tower above the Trinity Lutheran Church, designed by John Richards of Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. Trinity was the area's largest Lutheran church; its sanctuary could seat 800-1000 worshipers. It was dedicated on March 8, 1959 and over 2600 persons attended the dedication. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15)

Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;

Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. This bas relief over the main entrance was designed by Pacific Lutheran College Assistant Professor of Art George Roskos. It illustrates the parable of the sower. The 3 ton sculpture relates how the word and the seed need friendly soil. The first figure on the left is depicted preaching the word and sowing the seed. The next group depicts non-concern and egotism, also the birds eat the seed. The next seed are cast in rocky and shallow soil and wither away. The next group of figures have the trappings of the church, but still show lack of interest. The third group shows greed and lust for riches, as one of them clutches a money bag. In the group furtherest to the right, all seven figures hold a reaper. The seed has been planted in rich, deep soil and is bearing fruit. During the design period, the artist worked with a 5 x 18 foot canvas and applied wire lath and clay. It took 1500 pounds of plaster to make a 14 piece mold. The mold was filled with aggregate. The sculpture weighed 3 tons and was lifted up at either end with 1 ton hoists. The area's largest Lutheran Church was dedicated on March 3, 1959. Over 2600 persons attended the dedication. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15, 3/22/1959, pg. C-17)

Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland; Bas-reliefs;

The bas relief at the front of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland, ordered by the Olympian Stone Co. of Seattle. The original church at this site was "The Gray Church" built in 1907 and also named Trinity Lutheran. It was demolished in 1957 and this new church, designed by John Richards of Lea, Pearson and Richards, was dedicated in March of 1959. The relief over the door was designed by Pacific Lutheran College Art Professor George Roskos. The three ton sculpture illustrates the parable of the sower, how both seed and the word of God need fertile soil to take root and grow.

Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland; Bas-reliefs;

This is believed to be the Rev. Martin J. Duggan, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Father Duggan had celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1950. He is dressed in special vestments which appear to be made of brocade. Six tall candles and candelabra are on the altar behind the pastor with a large cross hanging above. Sepia photograph ordered by Holy Cross Church.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Dark laminated beams draw attention to the arched wooden ceilings of Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn. The eye is caught, not only by the dramatic arches, but by the large, simple cross on the brick tower behind the altar. The arches serve to focus concentration on the cross. This July 17, 1958, photograph was taken from the rear of the church, possibly in the choir loft or balcony. From this viewpoint the many rows of wooden pews can be seen. The new $100,000 building included church offices and a conference room in addition to the sanctuary. Built on a concrete slab with glue-laminated arches and partial brick veneer, the Lutheran church was dedicated on Sunday, July 13, 1958 by Dr. Swen L. Swenson. Rev. Carlton L. Berg was to be the new pastor. The church was located at 4th and "H" Sts. N.E. in Auburn. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc. (TNT 7-12-58, p. 4)

Messiah Lutheran Church (Auburn); Lutheran churches--Auburn; Laminated wood;

Modest altar - St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. The new church had an enormous sanctuary; this September 8, 1958, photograph has been identified by a reader as in all likelihood the chapel in the convent. There were several pews and a wood-based altar. Vertical shutters were slightly opened, allowing light from the stained glass windows to enter. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pews--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Sanctuary at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. A new parish was formed to serve the people of the city's west end and bridge area; St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church had its first buildings completed in 1958. It was dedicated that year by the Archbishop of Seattle. View of large, wood-enhanced sanctuary shows arched beams, rows of pews and two statues of Mary and the Sacred Heart flanking the altar. Archibishop of Seattle, Thomas A. Connolly, dedicated the rectory, school, and convent on September 21, 1958. The school gym was used as the church at this time since the church was not yet finished. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. (TNT 9-20-58, p. 4)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pews--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma;

Interior and exterior exposures of St. Charles Borromeo Church and buildings were taken on September 8, 1958. This view has been identified by a reader as the front hall/entryway of St. Charles Borromeo School. There is a large statue of St. Joseph holding a small child on the left. Trophy and display cases now flank the statue today. Over 200 children, up to the sixth grade, were enrolled in the new school taught by Franciscan sisters.The church sanctuary, school, parish hall, gym, convent and rectory may have been completed in 1958. The church building was finished in 1969. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Church. (TNT 9-20-58, p. 4) (Additional information provided by a reader)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma;

A new Aquinas Academy rose on the site of the former girls' school in 1957. A workman is shown on August 28, 1957, smoothing down a concrete walkway in front of the modern pre-fabricated concrete building. The original Aquinas Academy opened in Tacoma under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Dominic in 1899. The school was razed in October, 1955, and a new school with facilities for 400 students was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. The new Aquinas was dedicated on October 27, 1957, by Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly. The three-story building had 10 classrooms, a library, two science laboratories, a home economics room, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. It was built at a cost of $656,000. 1112 North "G" St. is now the site of the Saint Patrick School. When Aquinas vacated the building in 1974 to consolidate with Bellarmine and Saint Leo's as Bellarmine, Saint Patrick School left their 55-year-old building at North 11th & "J" and moved down the hill to occupy the newer Aquinas structure. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 10-27-57, B-8; www.saintpats.org) ) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma);

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 of Holy Cross Catholic Church. The exterior of the new Holy Cross Catholic Church was photographed near Thanksgiving, 1957. The large church appears to be nearly completed, including tower with cross and arched windows, although the landscaping is yet to be done. Several piles of bricks are undercover, protected from the rain, as they might be necessary to extend the brick border in front of the pillars. Mill & Associates were the architects involved in the project; the contractors were the Jardeen Brothers. The new $250,000 church would be dedicated by the Archbishop of Seattle, the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly on December 2, 1957. The Sacrament would be carried in a procession by clergy and laymen from the old Holy Cross Church at No. 43rd and Shirley around the corner to the new church building after the final Mass in the old location. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 12-1-57, C-12)

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma);