Church classrooms. The University Place Assembly of God church had many small children attending church along with their parents. The church provided cozy classrooms with appropriate sized furniture for the youngsters. View of cheerful classroom was taken on October 21, 1954; small wooden chairs with curved armrests are just the right size for the rectangular working table. Bright stars decorate the nearby chalkboard and colorful pictures are positioned on walls and even on the toy chest. A thick rug gives additional warmth to the room.

University Place Assembly of God (University Place); Protestant churches--University Place; Churches--University Place; Sunday schools--University Place; Classrooms--University Place;

The "ultra-modern" St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Lakewood was dedicated in September, 1957. It was designed by architect Robert Billsbrough Price and built by the Korsmo Brothers. The unusual A-framed building appears to have had heavy duty laminated beams anchoring it to cement blocks. These beams are very similar to those glue-lam beams installed in the cafetorium at the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School in Tacoma, which was also designed by architect Price. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc.

St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Lakewood); Episcopal churches--Lakewood;

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;

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;

Exterior exposure of Temple Beth El's South Temple, formerly known as Talmud Torah Synagogue and Sinai Temple. Designed by architects Hill & Mock, and built by contractors Knoell & Westerfield in 1925, the Italian Renaissance Romanesque Talmud Torah Synagogue was located at So. 4th & I Sts. Its congregation was more traditionally minded than Temple Beth Israel's reformists, however in 1960 both congregations voted to merge. Rabbi Richard Rosenthal was elected to lead the combined congregations, now called Temple Beth El. Temple Beth Israel on No. 4th St. was sold in 1964 to the Apostolic Faith Church and Talmud Torah, the South Temple, was sold in 1968 to the Tacoma Blood Bank. The Talmud Torah was demolished and its site used as a parking lot for Tacoma General Hospital. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Realty. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 15) TPL-8677

Talmud Torah Synagogue (Tacoma); Synagogues--Tacoma;

Exterior of unidentified church under construction. This circular church was in the process of being built in the spring of 1966. It was located in the Burien area, at approximately 132nd and 2nd Ave. The building had steel framing. Photograph ordered by National Blower & Sheet Metal Co.

Building construction--Burien--1960-1970; Churches--Burien--1960-1970;

Church under construction. This unidentified church in the Burien area would be built with secure steel framing in the spring of 1966. It would have a unique circular appearance including steel roof. The church was located approximately at 132nd & 2nd Ave. Photograph ordered by National Blower & Sheet Metal Co.

Building construction--Burien--1960-1970; Churches--Burien--1960-1970; Roofs--Burien;

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;

Five members of a Seventh-day Adventist Church pose for a group portrait on November 2, 1968, on the church's Sabbath. The church was located at 1310 So. L St., the former location of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Photograph ordered by the Tahoma Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Churches--Tacoma; Religious services--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Christmas decorations at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Parishioners attending December services at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 602 So. 34th St., would have been able to view the above Nativity scene where a joyous baby Jesus lay in his manger observed by praying kings, shepherds and his family. The painted figures, either plaster or ceramic, formed a beautiful creche. Color photograph ordered by St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Christmas decorations;

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;

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;

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;

ca. 1932. Pentecostal Tabernacle, at corner of South 12th and G. The Pentecostal Assembly Church was located at 1123 So. G St. (now 1121 So. Altheimer St.) It was built in 1926 from a design by Silas E. Nelson, architect. The long time pastor of the church was the Rev. Frank J. Gray.

Churches--Tacoma; Pentecostal Assembly Tabernacle (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma;

The Pentecostal Tabernacle, an Assembly of God church designed by Silas E. Nelsen, was dedicated with special services on September 5, 1926. The church was built by contractor Eldor Arntsen at a cost of $20,000 using brick, concrete and hollow tile. The auditorium could seat 750. An annex to the church was dedicated in June of 1953. Rev. Frank Gray was its longtime pastor. The building now houses the Altheimer Memorial Church of God in Christ. (filed with Argentum) (TNT 9/4/1926, pg. 4-alternate photograph)

Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pentecostal Tabernacle (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1934. First Methodist Church, general view of exterior. Heath and Gove, Architects, designed the building and it was dedicated in December of 1916. The original name was the First Methodist Episcopal Church; it was later renamed First United Methodist. The church was located at 5th and "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way.) It had a seating capacity of 1,150. The church was demolished in January of 2007.

First Methodist Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Methodist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1934. First Presbyterian Church. The red brick Romanesque structure was designed by Cram and Ferguson, architects from Boston, renowned for their church designs. They were assisted by the local architecture firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan. It was built in 1924 for the sum of $500,000. At the center of the picture is the Church's ornate dome with its ancient Christian symbols and figures. TPL-2266

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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);

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. 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. First Presbyterian Church, general view of interior of the main auditorium. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. The church is listed on the Historic Registry of both the city of Tacoma and the nation. It is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Not only the architecture, but many of the interior elements, including carved wood and stained glass, were designed personally by Ralph Adams Cram. (WSHS, Argentum)

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

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;

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;

Federal Old Line Life Insurance Company banquet at First Presbyterian Church on September 12, 1939. Federal Old Line was formed by J.R. Cissna and licensed in the state of Washington in 1937. His vision was a company that paid off claims within 48 hours after death. (filed with Argentum)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Federal Old Line Life Insurance Co. (Tacoma);

Messiah Lutheran Church Junior choir. Thirty youngsters were photographed wearing robes in church. The choir performed under the direction of Margaret Rorem. Building built as First Norwegian Lutheran in 1891, C.S. Torkelson, Architect. Building is now home to Shiloh Baptist Church. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 3/23/1939, pg. 2)

Messiah Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Christmas decorations on the Little Church on the Prairie are illuminated in this scene from 1939. The church was celebrating its second Christmas season. It had been dedicated in September of 1938. The little woodframe building had previously been a grocery store.

Little Church on the Prairie (Lakewood); Churches--Lakewood--1930-1940; Christmas decorations;