Children fill the stage at Faith Temple. They may have taken part in a Christmas pageant since this photograph was taken two days before Christmas 1951. Stripes, plaids and western wear seem popular in children's wear at this time.

Congregational churches--Tacoma; Faith Temple (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);

Wedding of Gertrude McCutcheon and William Fry at the Little Church on the Prairie, Lakewood. Building converted from commercial uses to church in 1940. Gertrude McCutcheon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Parsneau, exchanged vows with William Landis Fry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey Fry of Oroville, California, in a double-ring ceremony on August 11, 1940. Mrs. Franklyn Coffield Ellis of San Francisco served as her sister's matron of honor. Burritt Anderson was the best man. The bride wore a silk jersey afternoon dress adorned with white orchids and carried a white prayer book. The new Mrs. Fry had graduated from Stadium High School and Racine's Western Institute (Seattle). The groom graduated from the University of California and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Their first home will be in Oakland. (T. Times 8-12-1940, p. 7)

Little Church on the Prairie (Lakewood); Weddings--Lakewood--1940-1950; Fry, William Landis; McCutcheon, Gertrude--Marriage; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950;

Easter Sunday in 1939 at churches. The congregation of the First (Evangelical) Lutheran Church is photographed after services and shown mingling on the sidewalks and steps. 1930s automobiles on street. General view of building with corner steeple, by Heath and Gove, Architects; 1926. Construction of the massive tapestry brick with Tenino stone trim building commenced in late 1925 and was completed in early 1929. It had a large Scandinavian congregation. (T. Times)

Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; First Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Easter--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Easter Sunday at various Tacoma churches. Worshipers gather on the steps of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 602 South 34th St, on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. St. Joseph's was built by its congregation members and dedicated in May of 1912. It was the first Slovak Catholic church built in the Northwest.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Easter--Tacoma;

First Methodist Church, general view of exterior. Heath and Gove, Architects; 1916. (T. Times, Special Edition) [Also dated February, 1940]

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

First Presbyterian Church ,general view of exterior. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. (filed with Argentum)

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

Conference at the First Methodist Church. Registration. Several men gathered at table with adding machines and papers. Tacoma's First Methodist Church hosted the second annual Methodists Northwest conference from June 12- June 16, 1940. Bishop William E. Martin of Omaha presided. In 1939 two branches of the Methodist church in the Northwest, Methodist Episcopal and Protestant Methodist church united to become the Methodist Church. (T. Times 6-11-1940, p. 5-article; T.Times 6-13-1940, p. 1,24-article)

Methodist churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; First Methodist Church (Tacoma); Recording & registration--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On a sunny Easter Sunday in 1939, three boys struggled with a potted lilly in front of the Central Baptist Church at 1201 So. J St. The boys were, left to right, solemn Gerald Larson, Gene Johnson balancing the plant and a huge grin and Peter Larson. A female parishioner, with corsage, watched from the background. The Gothic wooden church in the background was built in 1900 as the First Swedish Baptist Church. In 2005, it was named to the Tacoma Registry of Historic Places and is currently being restored. (T. Times 4/10/1939, pg. 3)

Central Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Easter--Tacoma; Larson, Gerald; Johnson, Gene; Larson, Peter;

Tacoma Oratorio Society at First Congregational Church in "The Creation", J.W. Bixel, conductor. 51 people posed in an auditorium. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Oratorio Society (Tacoma); First Congregational Church (Tacoma);

In June of 1927, Seattlite and frequent Tacoma visitor Esther Landstrom (in coat) was pictured with her new Willys-Knight 70-A coupe in front of the First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Avenue South. Her small dog stands on the running board. Her friend Dolly Wescott, a bookkeeper at Manley Motors, was at the wheel. Mrs. Landstrom had recently purchased her car from Manley Motor Company, 956-58 Fawcett Avenue, in Tacoma. Manley Motors were the authorized dealers of Overland, Willys-Knight, and Whippet automobiles. (TDL 6/19/1927, pg. G2) (WSHS)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Landstrom, Esther; Wescott, Dolly; Willys-Knight automobile; Dogs--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The early Gothic facade of the First Congregational Church was built 1907-1908. It was designed by architect George W. Bullard and is of brick faced with Tenino sandstone. Ordered by Rev. Harold Booch, Pastor. [Also dated 04-18-1943]

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Stone buildings;

The cornerstone for the Tudor First Congregational Church was laid September 5,1907 and the adjacent educational building was added in 1928. The buildings are of brick faced with Tenino sandstone.

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Stone buildings;

Ellen Bell, wife of Rev. Arthur Bell, poses with stones from Westminster Abbey. The stones will be built into the reconstructed St. Lukes Memorial Episcopal Church. They were taken from part of a wall at the Abbey torn out during World War II air raids. The Westminster stones, as well as a piece of jasper from Jerusalem, believed to be from the site of David's temple, and a piece of sandstone from the Cathedral at Washington, D.C., will be placed in an inside wall of the sanctuary. When the original St. Lukes Church at 6th and Broadway was wrecked, the congregation plus that of the St. Marks Church at 36th and Gove had the stones numbered and dismantled to use in the construction of a new church at the Gove location. (T. Times 4/9/1941, pg. 3))

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Episcopal Churches--Tacoma; Bell, Ellen;

On the morning of September 2, 1941, guests wait outside of St. Patrick's Catholic Church for the newly wedded couple Anne Louise Greiwe and Lt. John William Winship to exit the church on their way to the reception at the bride's parents' home. The couple had been married that morning by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor William J. Noonan before 200 friends and family. A week later, September 9th, the McChord Douglas B-18 bomber that the bridegroom was co-piloting crashed into the side of Mount Constance on the Olympic Peninsula on a night training flight. Everyone on board was killed instantly. (T. Times 9/2/1941, pg. 7)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Greiwe, Anne Louise--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church showing Reverend Harold H. Engelbrecht at altar. Building built as Zion German Evangelical Lutheran in 1908, H. Crosley, Architect. After 16 years at the pulpit, Rev. Engelbrecht was leaving Tacoma to join the staff at the Lutheran University in Indiana. He came to Tacoma in 1925, after five years with a church in Puyallup. He co-founded Concordia Lutheran School and served the school in its early years in many capacities. (T. Times 10/14/1941, pg. 18)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Engelbrecht, Harold H.; Clergy--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wedding of Nadellia Weglin and Throne J. Eggan at Luther Memorial Church. Bridal party at altar. Rose window was a gift to the church from the architect Emanuel J. Bresemann and his siblings in memory of their mother, Bertha. The church was also known as St. John's English Lutheran Church.

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Weglin, Nadellia--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Leaded glass windows--Tacoma;

ca. 1940. Zion Lutheran Church Golden Anniversary. People standing in front of altar, possibly choir. Building built as Zion German Evangelical Lutheran in 1908, H. Crosley, Architect.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Altars--Tacoma;

50th Anniversary services and dinner at Asbury Methodist Church. Group of people singing. (T. Times)

Churches - Protestant Churches - Methodist Churches - Tacoma - Asbury Methodist Church

The chancel choir at First Presbyterian Church was one of several music groups at the church honored at special services in June 1951. The chancel choir had gained distinction for Advent and Lent as well as in performances of the great oratorios. K. Mulder Schuil, minister of music, is seated in the middle of the front row. Names are listed in the newspaper. Ordered by Mr. Scheidt. (TNT, 6/17/1951, p.D-10)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The administrative staff at First Presbyterian Church. Pastor Albert J. Lindsey is seated at the desk. Ordered by Dr. Albert J. Lindsey.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Clergy--Tacoma--1950-1960; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Lindsey, Albert J.;

Making the first block for their new church, Church of Jesus Christ LDS. Members of the Mormon Church look proud of the first of many blocks they will be making to build their new church. Everyone, from young to old, is expected to play their part.

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

The interior of the Unity Church of Tacoma. The congregation is listening to their pastor standing beside the podium that has been decorated with potted plants. Members of the congregation are seated on folding chairs so the space can be used for other purposes.

Unity Church of Tacoma (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma; Clergy--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Groundbreaking for new Mormon church. A large bulldozer stands ready to begin groundbreaking for the new Lincoln ward chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bishop Alvin L. Morris conducted the ceremony with additional remarks by former bishop of Lincoln ward, James H. Pike, as well as other members of the congregation. Members of the ward will use their own labor to build the chapel, as well as manufacturing the cement blocks utilized in the construction. The chapel will be located at South 50th and A streets.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bulldozers; Morris, Alvin L.; Pike, James H.;

Exterior view of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Fife. In this photograph taken from across the street on August 26, 1950, are the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, church rectory, and what appears to be a small shrine in between. The T-shaped building was completed in late 1947. Photograph commissioned by architectural firm of Lance, McGuire & Muri.

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

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;

This view of the Calvary Baptist Church's sanctuary was taken from a rear balcony, perhaps the choir loft, on February 7, 1958. The arched open beams emphasize the ceiling's height. Wooden pews face the plain altar. The piano and organ are hidden from parishioners' viewpoint by wooden screens. There are also rows of seats behind the altar. In September, 1999, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma; Rilco Laminated Products, Inc. (Tacoma);

Three hundred participants in the ninth annual Northwest Young Buddhist League Convention posed for a group picture in front of the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church at 1717 Fawcett Avenue on February 19, 1956. The three-day conference was coming to a close. Seated in front row of the mostly Japanese-American gathering, wearing black robes and sashes, were nine Buddhist ministers including Sunya Pratt, the first woman to be ordained a Buddhist priest in the United States. The Tacoma Hongwanji Church had been established in 1915 and its present temple, still in operation, was built in 1930. The temple is on the Tacoma City Register of historic buildings. (Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Young Buddhist Association.) TPL-3691

Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church (Tacoma); Group portraits;

Sacred Heart Church, photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. The church also had an attached convent for the Sisters of Providence and a school run by the Sisters. The parish started in 1913 with 35 families. The school was built in 1924 and opened with 103 pupils. By 1955, the parish encompassed 600 families and the school enrollment was 376 pupils. The new church and rectory replaced the old church at 46th & McKinley built in 1914. The new church was built of reinforced concrete with brick facing at a total cost, excluding furnishings, of $316, 000. Architects were McGuire and Muri. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

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