The Sibelian Male Chorus, in formal attire in early February of 1942, posed around Trinity Lutheran Church's piano on which their accompanist, Miss Gene Stacey Endsley, was perched. The all male singing group was also known as Tacoma's "quartet of quartets." Their performance season started earlier in 1942 as several expected to be called into military duty. Pictured left to right, front row are director Fritz Berntsen, Lawrence Berg and Erick Ericksen. Back row, according to the News Tribune: S. Evan Davies, Morris Pitts, Robert Henning, Harold Torgeson, Rome Endsley, Thor Larsen, Helmut Jueling, Milan Mikich, Robert Booth, Miss Endsley, Donald Corey, Stanley Johnson, Lawrence Anderson and Jack Shaw. (TNT 3/6/1942, pg. 7)

Singing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Singers; Choirs (Music); Berntsen, Fritz; Endsley, Gene Stacey; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);

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;

ca. 1931. Trinity Lutheran Church, known as "The Gray Church," at 12115 Park Ave. So., Parkland was built in 1907 and dedicated in 1910. According to "Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland, Washington 75th Anniversary 1919-1994," the church was designed to be cross-shaped, 70-feet long & 70-feet wide, and built of brick and stone at a cost of $16,000. There was a basement, steeple and many stairs. Nicknamed the "Gray Church," it was located where the south end of Trinity Lutheran Church's present sanctuary now stands. The "Gray Church" was finally demolished in 1957 as the location was being prepared for building the congregation's new church. (Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland, Washington 75th Anniversary 1919-1994, p.1-2) Bowen # CHU-004

Robert E. Hutchins Funeral. Aviation cadet Robert E. Hutchins, age 20, was killed in a mid-air plane crash 12 miles north of Merced, California. His casket at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland is surounded by flowers, several of which depict the medals Cadet Hutchins won during the war. The one to the left of the casket resembles the Army Distinquished Service Cross, the two on the right resemble the Silver Star, given for galantry in action. (T.Times, 5/19/1945, p.1; 5/21/45, p.11)

Hutchins, Robert E.; World War, 1939-1945--Casualties--Tacoma; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);

Rosemary Hablas-Blair Wedding. Rosemary Antoinette Hablas and Vernon Sidney Blair were married in November 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church. They stand together at the altar. Flowers and candles decorate the church behind them. The bride wears a long, white,slipper-satin dress with a court-length train and a finger tip veil. She is holding a bouquet. The groom is wearing a dark suit and boutonniere.

Weddings--Parkland--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Hablas, Rosemary; Blair, Rosemary; Blair, Vernon Sidney; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Altars--Parkland; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;

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;

ca. 1936. Pacific Lutheran College Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church. Building constructed in 1907, demolished in 1957. (WSHS)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Singers; Choirs (Music); Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;

ca. 1936. Pacific Lutheran College Junior Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church. Building constructed in 1907, demolished in 1957. (WSHS)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Singers; Choirs (Music); Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;

Norwegian Crown Prince Olav (later Olav V) and his wife, Princess Martha, are pictured on the stairs of "The Gray Church," in May of 1939. The brick and stone building was more formally known as Trinity Lutheran Church, just off the campus of Pacific Lutheran College. A special chapel assembly was held in which PLC's Choir of the West performed. The heir to the throne of Norway also visited Fort Lewis and Mount Rainier and was present at several fetes in his honor.

Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940; Martha, Crown Princess of Norway; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);

The candle light wedding of Bernice Morse and William McDonald, held April 26, 1941 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Parkland, Washington. In this general view of the sanctuary, the bridal party in pictured in the aisle. The ceremony was performed by Rev. T.A. Svare. The church was built in 1907, demolished in 1957. (wedding announcement T.Times 4/28/1941, pg. 9)

Weddings--Parkland--1940-1950; Morse, Bernice; McDonald, William; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);

Wedding party portrait of the nuptials of Bernice Evelyn Morse and William Wallise McDonald, held the evening of April 26, 1941 at Parkland's Trinity Church. Mrs. Clifford Wiley was the matron of honor with Mrs. Robert Bramsche and Mrs. Ernest Tittle serving as bridesmaids. Mrs. Dee Kay and Mrs. Leonard Willits were the candle lighters. Elmer Gentile was the best man, with Walter Geehan, Robert Bramshe, Fred Buckholtz and Glen Wychoff serving as ushers. (T.Times 4/28/1941, pg. 9)

Weddings--Parkland--1940-1950; Morse, Bernice; McDonald, William; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);

Sibelian Men's Chorus publicity picture at Trinity Lutheran Church, Parkland. Sixteen men wearing formal attire gathered around woman accompanist, Miss Gene Stacey Endsley, at piano. Front row, left to right, Fritz Berntsen (director), S. Evan Davies, Robert Henning, Rome Erdsley, Helmut Jueling, Milan Mikich, Donald Cory, Stanley Johnson, Lawrence Berg and Erick Erickson. Back row: Morris Pitts, Harold Torgeson, Thor Larsen, Robert Booth, Lawrence Anderson and Jack Shaw. The noted chorus would be performing earlier than usual this year as some of the members were preparing to enter the armed forces. (T. Times 3/6/1942, pg. 4)

Singing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Singers; Choirs (Music); Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;