ca. 1943. This view of the New Tacoma Cemetery, with large firs on right and small bushes by gravesites, was taken circa 1943. The park-like surroundings provided a serene resting place for the deceased using non-intrusive flat markers. Opened in 1932, the 150-acre New Tacoma Cemetery overlooks the City of Steilacoom and the waters of Puget Sound. (www.newtacoma.com-information)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma);

In January of 1950, 33 inches of snow fell in Tacoma and the average temperature was 28.4 degrees F. By February 2nd the water in Gig Harbor yacht basin had frozen into ice five inches thick. The Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 101 E. 38th St. was feeling the chill. They hired Ellwood C. Karst and Robert E. Patterson, owners of the Home Insulation Company, to blow rock wool insulation into the church. This photograph was taken on February 2, 1950.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Home Insulation Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of the open front door to the new Central Baptist Church at So. 11th and Grant Ave. Central Baptist was one of the oldest churches in Tacoma, established in 1893 with 25 members. At the time that the new $120,000 church was constructed, Rev. Bror O. Lundgren was serving as minister of the church. The exterior of the modified Colonial was brick trimmed in sandstone and monel metal. The dedication of the new church was held in May 1950. (TNT 5/18/1950 pg. A-4)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Central Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Eunice Allen is teaching a weekday Bible class to younger students at Calvary Baptist Church. Weekday church schools were provided through the sponsorship of the Tacoma Council of Churches and were held in various parts of the city with 60 churches participating. Ordered by the Tacoma Council of Churches, Reverend Loyal Vickers. (TNT, 4/16/1950, p.A-4)

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Sunday schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Allen, Eunice; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma);

Making the first block for their new church, Church of Jesus Christ LDS. Several members of the Mormon Church, men, women and children, have gathered to make the blocks with which they will build their new church. They are standing outside a corrugated metal building in an unimproved lot.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Church membership--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building materials;

After picture of new roof on First Congregational Church. Blair Construction, 3022 South 38th. This exterior photograph of the First Congregational Church, taken on July 10, 1950, shows portions of the new roof, the work of Blair Construction. Arched windows with stained glass adorn the stone building located at Division and J.

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Roofs--Tacoma; Stone buildings--Tacoma; Stained glass--Tacoma; Blair Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Wedding party at altar at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Dorothy Blanche Gourley and Robert Frank Mennitti were married during the late summer with Reverend Father Buckman and 250 guests. Dorothy, the daughter of Earl B. and Elsie L. Gourley and Robert, the son of Rocco J. and Jennie Minnitti, were both graduates of Stadium High School. Robert had also graduated from the College of Puget Sound. (T.Times, 9/7/1948, p.6)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Mennitti, Robert Frank; Gourley, Dorothy Blanche; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950;

St. Leo's new convent at 13th and G Streets, Times, Father Krebsbach. The new convent of the Sisters of St. Francis was nearly complete and St. Leo's held an Open House September 26, 1948. Construction of the new convent, adjoining St. Leo's church, was begun March 1, 1948, and was expected to be complete the end of September at a cost of $125,000. The building contained 22 rooms in addition to the library, kitchen, community room and laundry facilities. A two-story arch surrounded the main doorway and a round window decorated the corner of the facade. A cross is placed at the peak of the roofline. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.1)

St. Leo's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sisters of St. Francis Convent (Tacoma); Convents--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma; Windows--Tacoma; Crosses;

Annual Sunday School rally, group of approximately 300, Faith Temple, Mrs. DeWeese. A large congregation of children and adults gathered September 26, 1948, at Faith Temple. They had advertised a "Great Combined Sunday School Rally and Morning Worship Service" at 10 a.m.; a "Young People and Hour of Power Service" at 6:15 p.m.; and an "Evangelistic and Singspriation" at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. R.F. DeWeese would be preaching that day. R.F. DeWeese was the pastor and Jack Brown was the assistant pastor of Faith Temple. Their address was 1001 South K Street. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.3)

Sunday schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Churches--Tacoma; Faith Temple (Tacoma); Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Holroyd Company, Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A view of the new sanctuary of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Open beams are shown with a wooden ceiling beyond. The altar stands against the far wall. The interior of the church was photographed on February 1, 1949.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Ceilings--Tacoma;

Bethlehem Baptist Church was celebrating the 10th anniversary of their pastor, Reverend Edward Byard Wilson, in August of 1949. View of Reverend Wilson, who is joined by his wife, Allie, friends, and other church members. TPL-5783

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American churches--Tacoma; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Wilson, Edward Byard; Clergy--Tacoma; Wilson, Allie;

The congregation at the new Who So Ever Will Come chapel listened to music performed by members on accordion, tambourine and guitar on a Sunday afternoon in June, 1953. View from rear of church shows narrowness of room with Pastor Louis Kephart and musicians on elevated stage. The 1954 City Directory listed the church under "Other Denominations"; it apparently was not affiliated with any major Protestant group. The church was celebrating its opening service at the Pacific Avenue location on June 7; later that evening evangelist R. James Vaughn would be conducting a Holy Ghost revival. (TNT 6-6-53, p. 7 -Ad)

Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Who So Ever Will Come (Tacoma); Kephart, Louis;

Church of God in Christ banquet. The congregation is gathered for a banquet to honor some occasion, possibly a wedding, as a woman in white formal dress sits left of the center column. The room can be divided into sections by curtains and framed photos adorn the back wall. This building was built in 1890 as a boarding house and in the 30's served as the location of the Japanese Baptist Mission. (building information from TPL building index)

Church of God in Christ (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; African Americans;

Interior of new Asbury United Methodist Church. The Holroyd Co., manufacturers of concrete blocks and other building materials, apparently were suppliers of materials used in building the new Asbury United Methodist Church on South 56th and Puget Sound. The church had been in existence since 1891; the entire building had been moved to its present location from South 56th and Warner Street nearby. In 1954 a new church building was constructed and the old one razed. Rev. Robert G. Albertson was the pastor at that time. View of church's interior facing the altar; wooden beams and interior wall are curved into arch shapes and there is a piano in the right portion of the photograph. Rows of folding chairs are empty and ready for parishioners; there are no pews.

Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (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;

Interior of church. The sanctuary of this simple church is highlighted by the V-shaped ceilings, made of laminated wood, perhaps provided by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc. Looking directly from the preacher's pulpit, a large window, possibly stained glass, adds more light to complement the unusual chandeliers. The location and identity of this church is not known. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

Churches; Rilco Laminated Products, Inc. (Tacoma);

The Calvary Baptist Church on South C St., near Pacific Avenue, had a large auditorium built in its auxiliary building next to the church. Open beam ceilings and multiple windows accentuated the spaciousness of the room. The linoleum flooring had shuffleboard and a checkered square imprinted on it. A small stage with two plants is next to the piano. A loudspeaker is positioned on top of a tall cabinet. Calvary Baptist has been a long-time presence in Tacoma; the church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1999. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma; Auditoriums--Tacoma;

This is believed to be the Rev. Martin J. Duggan, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Father Duggan had celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1950. He is dressed in special vestments which appear to be made of brocade. Six tall candles and candelabra are on the altar behind the pastor with a large cross hanging above. Sepia photograph ordered by Holy Cross Church.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Interior of church. Simple pews, a small podium, and an Andrew Kohler piano present an intimate setting for the University Place Assembly of God church. A poster of Jesus along with religious wall hangings adorn the paneled walls. The church was located at Mountain View Avenue and South 29th Street. Edwin Oster was listed in the 1954 City Directory as the church's pastor.

University Place Assembly of God (University Place); Protestant churches--University Place; Churches--University Place; Pianos;

Dedication of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church, photograph ordered by the Catholic Northwest Progress. Prior to entering the church, the parishioners were invited to observe the blessing and laying of the cornerstone by the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle. The new church and rectory were built of reinforced concrete with brick facing at a cost of $316,000. The church also had a convent and parochial school, run by the Sisters of Providence, on the grounds. In 1955, the parish had 600 families and the school had 376 pupils. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

Sacred Heart Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

A special mass is celebrated at St. Ann's Catholic Church honoring the Rev. J. F. Milner on the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle, presided. Milner was born in Dunmanway, County Cork, and studied for the priesthood in Ireland. He was ordained All Hallows June 22, 1930 at 23 years of age. He was named pastor of St. Anns in 1943. Under his direction, many improvements were made in the church and parish hall. The new school and convent were nearing completion at the time of his Silver Jubilee. (TNT 6/25/1955, pg. 4)

St. Ann's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Milner, J.F.;

The congregation of the Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church posed for a group portrait on November 27, 1955. A banner reading "Forward with Christ" is placed before them. There appear to be many young people in the congregation. Rev. Alpha H. Takagi was listed in the 1955 City Directory as pastor. The church underwent a name change to Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church in the 1960's but later closed in 1999 due to declining attendance. It had served Japanese-American families for more than 90 years, from its start in 1907 as a mission society for Japanese immigrants. The church was closed from 1942 to 1946 due to the war; membership increased following the reopening with the return of those in relocation camps. The University of Washington purchased the church and property in October, 1999, with plans to develop its Tacoma campus. (TNT 12-11-99, p. 1)

Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church (Tacoma); Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

Patricia Henry and Alvin Larsen wedding. The bride and groom sign their marriage certificate at St. Josephs while the maid of honor and best man look on. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Forest Henry and the groom was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emile Larsen. The couple made their first home in Tacoma. (TNT 8/19/1952, pg. 11)

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Henry, Patricia--Marriage; Larsen, Alvin;