ca. 1888. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 602 Broadway, Tacoma, W.T. This circa 1888 photograph shows a man barely visible who is hanging from the side of the spire. The English Gothic-styled church may have been in the process of some kind of repair as there are timbers sticking through the openings of the tower. It was built of gray sandstone in 1883 in tribute to Kate Elizabeth Wright, the daughter of Charles Barstow Wright. Photograph courtesy of the John Ogden Collection. TPL-10171

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Episcopal churches--Tacoma;

St Peter's Episcopal Church, 2910 North Starr Street in Old Tacoma (W.T.) Photograph courtesy of the John Ogden Collection. At the time of this August, 1888, photograph, St. Peter's was 15 years old. The small (21 x 45-foot) Carpenter Gothic church was built in only ten days in August of 1873 on land donated by Edward S. "Skookum" Smith and Captain Starr. It is Tacoma's oldest church. As the label on the photograph notes, St. Peter's had the oldest church tower in the United States. An aged fir, cut at 48-feet, served as the bell tower. The age of the tree trunk was used in the calculation of the tower's age. The original tree was replaced by a new tower in 1935 when it was damaged by a windstorm. St. Peter's Episcopal Church is on the City and National Register. TPL-10166

St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Episcopal churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1903. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 2910 North Starr St, as viewed circa 1903. The tiny 21 x 45-foot wood church is considered to be Tacoma's oldest church, built in 1873 on land donated by Edward S. "Snookum" Smith and Capt. Starr with timber donated by the Hanson-Ackerson Mill. The unusual bell tower is actually a fir tree cut at 48 feet with its bell donated by the Sunday School of St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. A windstorm in 1935 resulted in a new tower which replaced the unique Old Town fir tower. St. Peter's is on both the City and National Registers.

St. Peters Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Episcopal churches--Tacoma;

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);

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. 1919. Tacoma architect C. Frank Mahon drew this delineation of Holy Rosary Church before construction began on the Catholic church in 1920. Located at 520 South 30th Street, its Gothic steeple has long been a Tacoma landmark. Mahon's architectural work for the Catholic Diocese included many schools and churches in Tacoma in addition to Marymount Boys School in Spanaway and St. Martin's College in Lacey. (B2308)

Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Architectural drawings;

ca. 1921. St Paul's Catholic Cathedral, Yakima, WA. for Father Robert Armstrong, J.W. Maloney and J.E. McGuire, Associated Architects. Copy of architectural rendering of Spanish style church with decorated tower and large round window. (filed with Argentum)

St. Pauls Catholic Cathedral (Yakima); Catholic churches--Yakima; Architectural drawings;

The hotel at 1407 Pacific Avenue was known as "Hotel Goodwill" in the early 1920s. The Salvation Army had a marked presence there as this photograph from February, 1922, shows. A Salvation Army officer sits with several men for some pleasant conversation. Books and newspapers were provided as well as spittoons for tobacco chawers. The Salvation Army operated the hotel where several hundred men were given free lodging and board in 1921. In 1922 the Army received their entire support from the Tacoma Community Chest. (TDL 3-7-22, p. 10-article)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Goodwill (Tacoma);

The congregation of the Epworth Methodist Church stands between the street and the church site on the 800th block of North Pine St on April 9, 1922, following the Epworth Bible School Parade on Sixth Ave. They are possibly gathered near the site proposed for their new church, 710 So. Anderson. The completed church was dedicated in May of 1926. Prior to their new church, the congregation met at 702 So. Anderson, built in 1902. The original church has been demolished. TPL-7074,

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Salvation Army has served Tacoma since 1888 as a vital segment of community life. In 1922, a new citadel, pictured a few months after completion, was constructed at 109 South 13th St. Architects Hill, Mock & Griffin designed the masonry and stucco structure built on the site once proposed for the Union Pacific Railroad depot. The flag was raised at the June 25, 1922 dedication by a delegation from the American Legion consisting of a soldier, a sailor and a marine. The building was erected at a cost of $42,000, with most of the funding supplied by the Tacoma Elks Lodge. TPL-6360; G21.1-183 (TNT 6-21-22, p. 3-article)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

By August of 1924, construction of the massive First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Avenue South was well underway. Ground had been broken in October of 1923 and the cornerstone laid in early May of 1924. The church, located in the historic Stadium District, was the third building for its congregation. The local architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan were given the contract to design this beautiful example of Romanesque architecture. They were assisted by noted Boston church architects, Cram & Ferguson. Ralph Adams Cram would design the church's interior features including the rich wood carvings and stained glass windows. First Presbyterian was dedicated in September of 1925. TPL-516; G22.1-201; BU-11,528

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

Mason Methodist Community House. By August of 1924, construction was underway at the new Mason Methodist Community House, a community hall, adjoining the church at 4008 North 28th St. Groundbreaking had occurred on May 20th. The new $25,000 hall, designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell, would be dedicated in November of 1924. TPL-495; G22.1-131 (TNT 5-22-24, p. 14-article on groundbreaking)

Mason Methodist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Bethany Presbyterian Church. The original Bethany Presbyterian Church, located on the same site, was destroyed by fire in early November of 1923. The ruins were razed and a new Bethany Presbyterian rose from the ashes of the old in remarkably quick time. Construction was started in April of 1924 and the church was completed less than seven months later at a cost of $35,000. The new Bethany Presbyterian had a brick veneer trimmed in stone and stained glass windows retrieved from the Allen C. Mason mansion. The imposing structure stood at the corner of Verde and North 41 St. G22.1-148 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-21-24, 4B-article)

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

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);

ca. 1925. Members of the Epworth Methodist Church attend a retreat in the woods, possibly on Mount Rainier. To the right is a rough assembly hall and in the left background is a tent. Photograph is torn upper left. TPL-7075

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On April 6, 1925, photographer Marvin Boland captured K Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) devoid of traffic. He stood at South 15th Street shooting north, picturing only a couple of parked cars and the empty streetcar tracks as they ran down the road. On the left was the two year old pride of Tacoma's Norwegian population, Normanna Hall at 1502 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. It served as a meeting place for the close knit community. Down the block on the right was the Norwegian Free Lutheran Church, at 1423 MLK, built in 1902. The area was still residential with open spaces, not the commercial shopping area that it became in the 1940's and 50's. TPL-3701; G60.1-082

Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lutheran Free Church (Tacoma); Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma Rail & Power requested photographs in April of 1925 of South "K" St. (now called Martin Luther King Jr. Way) at 15th, showing both a north and south view. This is the view looking south on South "K" emphasizing the width of the street and the streetcar tracks in the foreground. The Norwegian Free Lutheran Church at 1423 South "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) is on the left with the Normanna Hall down the street on the right at #1502. G60.1-083

Churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lutheran Free Church (Tacoma); Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Knights of Columbus activities at U.S. Veterans Hospital, American Lake. High Mass was conducted at the American Lake Veterans Hospital in Lakewood on April 12, 1925, with a small congregation in attendance. The unidentified priest is on the small stage with two altar boys. G23.1-030; G22.1-066

Religious services--Lakewood; Priests--Lakewood; American Lake Veterans Hospital (Lakewood);

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;

The cornerstone of the new Epworth Methodist Church was laid in ceremonies held on Sunday, May 17, 1925. The church congregation and friends gathered at the site of the new church at 710 South Anderson; the old church is in the background. The cornerstone was donated by Robert Walker of Walker Cut Stone who had given cornerstones for all the churches erected in Tacoma in recent years. The finished $90,000 Epworth Methodist was dedicated a year later in May of 1926. G22.1-128 (TNT 5-16-25, p. 14-article; TNT 5-18-25, p. 4)

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cornerstone laying--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

On August 18, 1925, an unidentified skilled craftsman was captured on film working on the carved screen that will mask the massive pipe organ in the new First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Ave. So. This craftsman was one of seven from the shop owned by partners Jacob Grotheim & Nels Torp working on the project. When noted church architect and Bostonian Ralph Adams Cram completed the design, he felt that no one in the wild Northwest would have the skill to execute the ornately carved oak pulpit and organ screen. Local cabinet makers J Grotheim & Co. answered the challenge. They were not only located close, at 1306 Tacoma Ave. So. but Mr. Grotheim was also a member of the church. The Boston architect was very impressed with the photographs that he received of the completed carvings. (TNT 8/21/1925, pg. 1) TPL-515; G22.1-202; BU-11,531

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); J. Grotheim & Co. (Tacoma); Wood carving;

This small building at South 46th and Bell St. was the new Hope Chapel which was dedicated on Sunday, December 13, 1925. Rev. Arthur Sydow, pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, preached the sermon. Hope Chapel was part of the Evangelical Lutheran community and built nearly entirely by volunteer labor. The building consisted of four rooms which could be combined to make an auditorium with capacity of 150. G22.1-114 (TNT 12-11-25, p. 18-article; TNT 12-14-25, p. 13)

Hope Chapel (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Churches--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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. 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);

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church courtyard. The church design by Ralph Adams Cram featured a center courtyard with a pillared colonnade separating the central worship area from the administration portion of the church. The courtyard is paved with brick and has stone seating. The church took around 5 years to construct and cost nearly a half million dollars in 1925. The Associate architects were the local firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan. The church is on the City Registry. (WSHS)

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

ca. 1926. M.J. Wood stands beside an Oakland automobile in Division Street beside First Presbyterian Church. The Oakland automobile was manufactured from 1907-09 by the Oakland Motor Co. of Pontiac, Michigan, and from 1909-1931 by the Oakland Motors Division of General Motors. After 1931, the company continued to produce its other line of vehicles, the Pontiac. (filed with Argentum)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Automobiles--1920-1930; Oakland automobiles; Wood, M.J.;

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. 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);