The adult choir at Trinity Methodist Church. Ordered by Mrs. Sanderson. Reverend John P. Johnson was pastor at this time.

Trinity Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music);

Scenes from Easter Sunday service at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So. The beautiful Romanesque church was designed by local architects Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, with consultation by renowned church designers Cram and Ferguson of Boston. This picture shows the choir loft backed by stained glass windows. Arches at the ceiling level accent the choir alcove. Easter lilies bedeck the altar.

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

Crowds at the Easter Sunday service at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So. This lovely Romanesque church has been a Tacoma landmark since 1925. Arched and circular windows shine daylight into the church. Large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling help light the immense structure. The church has both balcony and ground floor seating and seems to be full this Easter Sunday.

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

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;

Wedding at No. 9th St. and Oxford Church made from an old barn, Times, Paul Lantz. A man is working in a deep trench that appears to go around the front of the converted barn which was 32 feet by 48 feet. An altar, stained glass windows (purchased for $50 from a church that was being torn down) and the steeple were added to the barn on the hill above Narrows at North 9th and Oxford Streets and became the Skyline Boulevard Christian Church. The church was sponsored by the Washington State Christian Missionary Society. (T.Times, 8/16/1947, p.4)

Churches--Tacoma; Barns--Tacoma; Crosses; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Recycled structures--Tacoma; Excavation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Skyline Boulevard Christian Church (Tacoma);

The Tabitha Society of the First Lutheran Church gave a tea April 1, 1948, in honor of the women in their congregation that were over 80 years old.. Corsages were given to the guests of honor. L-R, seated, are Ira Norling, Hanna Leif, and Hilda Anderson; standing, Marie Swanson, Minnie Ostberg, Anna C. Bloom, Hilma Johnson and Ida C. Melin. Photo taken for Mrs. Hosmer, News Tribune. (TNT, 4/5/1948, p.5)

First Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Tabitha Society (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aged persons--Tacoma--1940-1950;

First Communion, St. Joseph's Church, Father Joe. Four girls and ten boys pose for their group portrait with the priest from St. Joseph's Church. The girls wear white dresses with lots of ruffles and white headdresses. The boys wear white shirts and bow ties and hold their hands in front of themselves. Several of the children hold their rosary beads. Many of the children are smiling for their portrait.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Communion; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children & adults--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients 100 acres of beautiful peaceful resting grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery has been serving Tacoma families since 1932, they are under the administration of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization. Exterior view of grounds, large trees and beautifully landscaped grounds offer peace and tranquility, sacred sanctuary in background.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Assembly of God was hosting a United Full-Gospel Fellowship Rally, Reverend Walter McAllister was the guest speaker. The rally would include eleven churches and eleven pastors, community Christian discussions with worship services and growing revivals. View of participating people in the auditorium of the First Christian Church, the balcony and ground level pews are filled up, stained glass in background (T. Times, 5/29/48, p. 3).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Religion; Assembly of God (Tacoma); First Christian Church (Tacoma);

Drawing upon the 14th Psalm and the Book of Revelations, Dr. Walter A Maier of the Lutheran Hour radio program addressed a capacity audience in the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 South Union Avenue, on May 21, 1948. The main theme of his address was "Christ, Not Communism". Dr. Maier told his audience that Communism was "anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-church ... and anti-everything that is God or good" and warned that a Third World War would "give the Reds the rule of the world". (T. Times, 5/22/48, p. 2).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Evangelists; Public speaking--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Maier, Walter A.; Lutheran Layman's League (Tacoma);

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was having their annual pageant. View of five unidentified couples who attended the coronation of the Queen. The women are all wearing floor length outfits and the men have on long coats. There were three Mormon churches during this time, one of churches was the Reorganized Church.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contests--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

The Assembly of God Church at 1121 So. G St. (now Altheimer St.) is filled with families attending a youth rally. The Tacoma church was founded in 1918 by Rev. Frank Gray. Today, as First Assembly of God Life Center at 1717 So. Union Ave., it has one of the largest congregations in Tacoma. The building in this photograph was designed by Silas E. Nelsen, architect, and dedicated in 1926. It is now the Altheimer Memorial Church of God in Christ. TPL-6397

Assembly of God (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma; Religious meetings; Audiences--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Balconies--Tacoma; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

This is the choir of the Bethlehem Baptist Church as photographed in February of 1950. The choir president, William Ervin, is in the center of the second row. Bethlehem Baptist, 1723 South "I," was founded in 1890 and was the oldest African American Baptist church in the city of Tacoma. The church at this location was dedicated in 1922, destroyed in a 1959 fire, and rebuilt. (TNT 4-7-50, p. 4 - alt. photograph & complete listing of choir members)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (music); Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ervin, William;

This is the choir of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1723 South "I" Street, as photographed in February of 1950. The choir was led by William Ervin, at center (with hymnal) next to church pastor Rev. E.B. Wilson. Bethlehem Baptist was founded in 1890 in Tacoma and was the oldest African American Baptist church in the city. The church at this location was dedicated in 1922. It was destroyed by fire in 1959 and subsequently rebuilt. Rev. E.B. Wilson was a member of Bethlehem Baptist for 50 years and served as its minister for 20 years. (TNT 4/7/1950, p.4 complete listing of choir names) TPL-10345

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wilson, Edward B.; Clergy--Tacoma; Ervin, William;

Group of 13 altar boys at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4302 No. Shirley St. Holy Cross was founded in 1915. In 1950, it was under the direction of the Rev. M.J. Duggan and also included a parochial school run by the Dominican Sisters. These boys served as altar boys during a three day mission in March 1950 at the church. The mission was conducted by Rev. Enda Somers of Los Angeles and featured a special childrens' mission for the students of the school and area public schools. The boys are: front row left to right Jerry Paukert, David Lane, Jerry Hubbard; 2nd row Billy McConnell, Marty Dougherty, David Albright, James Burcar; back row Billy McMenamin, Bobby Gunovick, David Walsh, Billy Ostruske, George O'Dore and Ronald O'Connell. (TNT 3/4/1950, pg. 18)

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Vestments; Acolytes; Boys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma);

In March of 1950 the Central Baptist Church at South 11th Street and Grant Avenue was nearing completion. The modified Colonial building of brick trimmed in sandstone and Monel metal was designed by Silas E. Nelsen, architect, and constructed by O.F. Larson & Son, contractors, at a cost of $120,000. The completed church was dedicated on Sunday May 20, 1950. The design called for sanctuary with seating for 850, a social hall and dining room for 300, a complete Sunday school units for 500, a church office, a pastor's study and janitor's quarters. The area to the right of the main structure was where the Sunday school building was to be added at a later date. The church is currently home to the New Jerusalum Church of God. TPL-8337

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Central Baptist Church (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

The First Presbyterian Church, at Division and Tacoma Avenue South, was designed by Ralph Adams Cram of Boston, famous architect of churches and authority in ecclesiastical symbolism. This lovely red brick Romanesque structure was built in 1924 and dedicated on September 20, 1925. By 1926, the church claimed 2,200 members. The church design is heavy with religious symbolism carved in stone, wood and metal, including its ornate dome with ancient Christian symbols and figures. The original construction cost was $500,000. It is on the Tacoma Register of Historic Buildings.

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

Groundbreaking for new Mormon church. A large crowd gathers to participate in the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Lincoln ward chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The new church will be located at the corner of South 50th and A streets. Members of the Lincoln ward will construct the chapel under the direction of Ted Mulholland, former resident engineer at Fort Lewis. (TNT 7-3-50, p. 12)

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bulldozers;

Safway Steel Scaffolds Company. An exterior view of Church of the Holy Rosary with scaffolding ascending the lower portion of the spire. The church was originally built in 1891 of wood. In 1920 the brick structure was demolished and this brick, gothic style building was built at the same location. The rectory, located at 512 South 30th Street, is seen next to the church on the north.

Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Spires--Tacoma; Safway Steel Scaffolding Co. (Tacoma); Scaffolding--Tacoma;

In July of 1949 contractor Bob Joshlin brought in a 120-foot crane from Northwest Hauling Company to remove the tower from the Central Lutheran Church. The church at 1001 South G was built in 1889 as the First Presbyterian Church. The tower had been condemned due to deterioration during its 50-year watch over downtown Tacoma. The church was demolished in 1955. (TNT, 7/15/1949, p.1) TPL-4455

Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Bell towers--Tacoma; Steeples; Hoisting machinery; Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma);

This photograph of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Fife was taken on August 26, 1950. This Catholic church, at 2303 54th Ave. E in Fife, was designed by architects Lance, McGuire & Muri. The sanctuary has a brick tower and spire on one of its corners and a large, round window above the front entrance. The church rectory and what appears to be a small shrine are next door.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Churches--Fife; Catholic churches--Fife;

Interior of unidentified church. Photograph ordered by Western Builders. Western Builders was a roofing, siding and insulation company located at 1702 Sixth Avenue. According to the 1951 City Directory, Fred Wilvers and G.W. Thompson were listed as owners. Photograph taken on September 25, 1950, showed an unidentified church's interior, apparently close to the roofline, where two men are working. Address of church cannot be ascertained.

Western Builders (Tacoma); Churches; Progress photographs;

Bold carpeting highlights a room in the new Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints on 4th Street. The Tacoma Central Ward Chapel had its ground breaking in 1948 and was dedicated in 1950. Plans were made in 1941 to build this church; however, war delayed its construction. Final costs were $214,000 which included approximately $35,000 in furnishings.

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

Construction began in July of1948 on a new Mormon Church at 1201 So. 4th St.The building and chapel are designed in New England Colonial style. Work on the new central ward chapel had been delayed by the war. Much of the labor for building the church was provided by its membership. The church was dedicated in 1950.

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

Asbury United Methodist Church in South Tacoma has been in existence for over one hundred years. Named after Francis Asbury, a Methodist circuit rider, it was first located at South 56th and Warner Street before the church building was moved, with horse and manpower, to its present location at South 56th and Puget Sound. In April, 1954, a new church building was officially opened by Bishop A. Raymond Grant. It had taken the church ten years of fund raising to build the new church. View of church's interior; red drapes and carpet blend beautifully with wooden beams, brick walls and wood trimmings. (History of Pierce County, p. 12-13, TNT 4-3-54, p. 6)

Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma;

Members of the Central Seventh Day Adventist Church donated much of the labor needed to build their new church. Plywood forms are in place for concrete to be poured and a steel I-beam stretches across the main floor of the modern, streamlined structure designed by Silas E. Nelsen. John Wagner, the contractor from Salem, Oregon, specialized in building churches. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT, 9/28/1952, p.C-15)

Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Men are adding window shapes to the plywood concrete forms at the new Central Seventh Day Adventist Church in this photograph dated November 3, 1952. The estimated cost of the new church was $150,000 and it was expected to be completed in March 1953. The congregation had outgrown their building at 923 South I Street that they had used for more than 30 years and had been renting the First Congregational Church since 1943. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT, 9/28/1952, p.C-15)

Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Members of the committee planning St. Rita's annual church bazaar met to complete their plans. There were to be many well stocked booths and favors awarded hourly on the hour during the three-day event. L-R, are, seated Mary (Mrs. Fisher) Messina, Evelyn (Mrs. Joseph) Liberto and Caroline Turco. Standing, Mrs Louis Constanti, Amelia (Mrs. John) Mazzuca, and Cyrilla (Mrs. Leo) DiStafano. (TNT, 11/12/1952, p.15)

St. Rita's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Messina, Mary; Liberto, Evelyn; Turco, Caroline; DiStafano, Cyrilla; Mazzuca, Amelia; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir. The First Presbyterian church was located at Division Ave. and Tacoma Ave. South. They would be presenting A.R. Gaul's "Holy City" under the direction of director Gerald Faber. Choir members are Front row: Mary Anderson, Sally Yoder, Mrs. George Gelderman, Mrs. Jeanette Arnett, Hetty Fikse, Kris Powell, Jane Carpenter, Mrs. Louis Moir, Allene La Bauer. Second row: Mrs. Selmer Thorpe, Irene (Mrs. Ernest) Hopp, Mary K. Anderson, Gloria (Mrs. Don) Pearson, Myra (Mrs. William) Berg, Mrs. Frank Kidd, Arlene (Mrs. John) Stenger, Dianne Kludt, Gen (Mrs. Nels) Anderson, Donna Kludt, Miriam (Mrs. Neil) Buchholtz. Back row: Floyd Levee, E. Z. Fredricks, Bob Gee, John E. Davis, Al Pena, Neil Buchholtz, Robert Williams, Ernest Williams, Don Van Volkenburg, Curtis Schon, Nels Anderson, Gerald Faber-director. (TNT 6/24/1956, pg. D-12)

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

Spillman-Lyman meetings, fifth Sunday night audience. Tacoma Nov. 1, 1953. The Spillman-Lyman revival began at the New Bible Prophecy Auditorium at the Central Seventh Day Adventist's Church in September and was still going strong in November. Spillman, the "man with an answer," delivered a powerful end of the world sermon that he claimed was being fulfilled in current history. Motion pictures on the life of the Apostle Paul were also shown. The revival was advertised as "Where the meetings begin on time and are out by nine" and Tacomans were instructed to "follow the crowds to these great meetings." (TNT 10/3/1953, pg. 6 & TNT 11/7/1953- photo used in advertisement)

Revivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma);