Interior of church. The Tacoma Gospel Assembly, located on South 39th St. near State Street, was completed in 1957. A sanctuary dedication was planned for June 3, 1957. A May 28, 1957, photograph taken from the rear of the church emphasizes the arched open beam ceilings. The large church had three full rows of pews facing the raised altar; it would seat 550 people. Two dual staircases lead into the church from behind the altar. The cost of building the new church was $45,000. It was valued at $85,000 as most of the labor was volunteered. The Tacoma Gospel Assembly was an independent Full Gospel Church. Its congregation had met for six years at Normanna Hall prior to the new church being built. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Gospel Assembly. (TNT 6-1-57)

Tacoma Gospel Assembly (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior Tacoma Gospel Assembly. The Tacoma Gospel Assembly built a new church at 2508 So. 39th St. near State Street in the spring of 1957. The church was led by Pastor Ernest Maisch. View of church's exterior shows a large brick structure, extended overhanging roof over double doors, and unpaved parking lot. Volunteer labor was used for the most part to build the new church; this kept costs down to $45,000. The new church would seat 550. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Gospel Assembly. (TNT 6-1-57, p. 5)

Tacoma Gospel Assembly (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960;

29 elders of the First Presbyterian Church posed for a group picture on June 27, 1957. These men were officials at the church and were able to assist the pastor in his endeavors. The First Presbyterian Church was built in 1924 and was a prime example of Romanesque architecture. Photograph ordered by the First Presbyterian Church.

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

Exterior Calvary Lutheran Church. Guests start to arrive for the Nancy Osborn-Richard Watson afternoon wedding ceremony at the Calvary Lutheran Church on June 22, 1957. The church is a modern brick and wood structure with a daylight basement. Windows are open to let in the warm summer breezes. A wooden tower in front of the church appears incomplete although the cross is already in place. Sepia photograph ordered by Nancy Osborn.

Calvary Lutheran Church (Federal Way); Lutheran churches--Federal Way;

Additional view of Tacoma Gospel Assembly. A slightly angled view of Tacoma Gospel Assembly's interior was taken on May 28, 1957. The crisp, clean lines of wooden pews blend with the wood ceilings and arched open beams. Potted blossoms decorate the simple lectern. The new church's pastor was Rev. Ernest Maisch. After meeting for several years at Normanna Hall, groundbreaking for the new church occurred on June 10, 1956. Less than a year later, the new church was completed and a sanctuary dedication planned for June 3, 1957. The Tacoma Gospel Assembly is an independent Full Gospel Church. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Gospel Assembly. (TNT 6-1-57, p. 5)

Tacoma Gospel Assembly (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pews--Tacoma;

ca. 1957. According to the History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church predates the official founding of the City of Tacoma. Seven people met on July 27, 1873, to establish the "Tacoma Presbyterian Church," eight months before the authorization of a town government. In its long history, church members have worshipped in one town hall and three church edifices. The magnificent Romanesque building was designed by noted church architect, Ralph Adams Cram of Boston; it was dedicated on September 20, 1925. In 1984, a new Swiss tower clock was added to the structure. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 450) TPL-10105

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