ca. 1960. Exterior of St. Patrick's Church. Designed by architect Frederick Heath, the French Gothic-styled church celebrated its first services on Christmas, 1906. The church was dedicated on June 30, 1907. View of the massive stone building shows a crowd of people milling around the open doors; this spring, 1960, photograph was probably taken at one of the many weddings which occurred on its premises.

St. Patricks Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

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;

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;

Interior and exterior exposures of St. Charles Borromeo Church and buildings were taken on September 8, 1958. This view has been identified by a reader as the front hall/entryway of St. Charles Borromeo School. There is a large statue of St. Joseph holding a small child on the left. Trophy and display cases now flank the statue today. Over 200 children, up to the sixth grade, were enrolled in the new school taught by Franciscan sisters.The church sanctuary, school, parish hall, gym, convent and rectory may have been completed in 1958. The church building was finished in 1969. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Church. (TNT 9-20-58, p. 4) (Additional information provided by a reader)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma;

Modest altar - St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. The new church had an enormous sanctuary; this September 8, 1958, photograph has been identified by a reader as in all likelihood the chapel in the convent. There were several pews and a wood-based altar. Vertical shutters were slightly opened, allowing light from the stained glass windows to enter. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pews--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Sanctuary at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. A new parish was formed to serve the people of the city's west end and bridge area; St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church had its first buildings completed in 1958. It was dedicated that year by the Archbishop of Seattle. View of large, wood-enhanced sanctuary shows arched beams, rows of pews and two statues of Mary and the Sacred Heart flanking the altar. Archibishop of Seattle, Thomas A. Connolly, dedicated the rectory, school, and convent on September 21, 1958. The school gym was used as the church at this time since the church was not yet finished. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. (TNT 9-20-58, p. 4)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pews--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma;

Dark laminated beams draw attention to the arched wooden ceilings of Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn. The eye is caught, not only by the dramatic arches, but by the large, simple cross on the brick tower behind the altar. The arches serve to focus concentration on the cross. This July 17, 1958, photograph was taken from the rear of the church, possibly in the choir loft or balcony. From this viewpoint the many rows of wooden pews can be seen. The new $100,000 building included church offices and a conference room in addition to the sanctuary. Built on a concrete slab with glue-laminated arches and partial brick veneer, the Lutheran church was dedicated on Sunday, July 13, 1958 by Dr. Swen L. Swenson. Rev. Carlton L. Berg was to be the new pastor. The church was located at 4th and "H" Sts. N.E. in Auburn. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc. (TNT 7-12-58, p. 4)

Messiah Lutheran Church (Auburn); Lutheran churches--Auburn; Laminated wood;

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;

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);

Exterior - Calvary Baptist Church. A brick tower with a simple cross stands between the Calvary Baptist Church and its auxiliary building in a February 7, 1958, photograph. The church is located in a brick building with a steep roofline. A cross is placed on one end of the building. The auxiliary building is a modern structure, also made of brick, with multiple windows. Calvary Baptist remains located today at 6511 South C St., a couple of blocks from Pacific Avenue. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminiated Products, Inc.

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

Frosted windows, open beam ceilings, and parquet block walls provide a cozy setting for a study room in the Calvary Baptist Church. This is possibly in the church's auxiliary building. A large screen is placed before rows of wooden seats; a piano is close by. This may have been the setting for a Sunday School class or possibly a Bible study room. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

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

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;

Exterior of Holy Cross Catholic Church. The exterior of the new Holy Cross Catholic Church was photographed near Thanksgiving, 1957. The large church appears to be nearly completed, including tower with cross and arched windows, although the landscaping is yet to be done. Several piles of bricks are undercover, protected from the rain, as they might be necessary to extend the brick border in front of the pillars. Mill & Associates were the architects involved in the project; the contractors were the Jardeen Brothers. The new $250,000 church would be dedicated by the Archbishop of Seattle, the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly on December 2, 1957. The Sacrament would be carried in a procession by clergy and laymen from the old Holy Cross Church at No. 43rd and Shirley around the corner to the new church building after the final Mass in the old location. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 12-1-57, C-12)

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma);

Interior of Calvary Baptist Church. Standing behind the pulpit is believed to be the Rev. Robert S. Hess, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. There is an abundance of wood in this church, from the long rows of pews to the arched and beamed ceilings. Rilco Laminated Products, Inc., may have supplied some of the wood products used in the sanctuary. Calvary Baptist Church has had a long history in Tacoma; it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1999. In June, 1997, a rare twister damaged the church buildings; it was subsequently rededicated in September, 1997. Photograph ordered by Calvary Baptist Church.

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

A new Aquinas Academy rose on the site of the former girls' school in 1957. A workman is shown on August 28, 1957, smoothing down a concrete walkway in front of the modern pre-fabricated concrete building. The original Aquinas Academy opened in Tacoma under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Dominic in 1899. The school was razed in October, 1955, and a new school with facilities for 400 students was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. The new Aquinas was dedicated on October 27, 1957, by Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly. The three-story building had 10 classrooms, a library, two science laboratories, a home economics room, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. It was built at a cost of $656,000. 1112 North "G" St. is now the site of the Saint Patrick School. When Aquinas vacated the building in 1974 to consolidate with Bellarmine and Saint Leo's as Bellarmine, Saint Patrick School left their 55-year-old building at North 11th & "J" and moved down the hill to occupy the newer Aquinas structure. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 10-27-57, B-8; www.saintpats.org) ) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma);

29 elders of the First Presbyterian Church posed for a group picture on June 27, 1957. These men were officials at the church and were able to assist the pastor in his endeavors. The First Presbyterian Church was built in 1924 and was a prime example of Romanesque architecture. Photograph ordered by the First Presbyterian Church.

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

Exterior Calvary Lutheran Church. Guests start to arrive for the Nancy Osborn-Richard Watson afternoon wedding ceremony at the Calvary Lutheran Church on June 22, 1957. The church is a modern brick and wood structure with a daylight basement. Windows are open to let in the warm summer breezes. A wooden tower in front of the church appears incomplete although the cross is already in place. Sepia photograph ordered by Nancy Osborn.

Calvary Lutheran Church (Federal Way); Lutheran churches--Federal Way;

The First Presbyterian Church Orchestra practices arrangements from the Tabernacle Hymns on March 21, 1957. The young musicians are shown playing violins, clarinets, trumpets, trombone and cello with piano accompaniment. They are performing in one of the many rooms located in the massive brick Romanesque structure which was designed by famous architect Ralph Adams Cram of Boston. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church Orchestra (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma;

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);

Copy of a customer's print, McGuire & Muri, Architects; artist's rendering of the St Mary's Parish Church & Parrish Hall, Seaview, Wa.

Catholic churches--Seaview, Wa.;

Designed by Silas A. Nelson, the modernistic Central Seventh Day Adventist Church at 615 North Sprague Avenue was built in 1952. It is triangular in shape, measuring 154 feet on the Sprague Avenue side, 142 feet on the Sixth Avenue approach and 89 feet on the side facing Grant Avenue. Much of the plywood framing work for the poured concrete walls was done by church members who donated their labor. The first service was held in the church in August of 1953, but it was not officially dedicated until February 1963, when the building was free of debt. In the background is the more traditional spanish gothic design First United Presbyterian Church at 1619 Sixth Ave, by 1958 known as Trinity United and shortened to Trinity in the 1990's.

Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma);

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;

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.;

Interior of the main worship area at the dedication of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church, photograph ordered by the Catholic Northwest Progress. The new church was consecrated in special ceremonies and services on March 19 & 20, 1955. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle, consecrated the church's main altar on Saturday, March 19th. He assisted in the blessing and laying of the cornerstone. Following that ceremony, the parishioners entered their new church for services. The new church could seat 700. The Architectural firm of McGuire and Muri designed the building; the builder was Strom Construction. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

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

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;

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;

A procession of priests stride along a brilliantly sunlit sidewalk on the way to a young priest's first solemn high mass. The mass will occur on May 16, 1954, at the Church of the Visitation on South 58th St. Some of the priests hold their hands together in a prayer position. The priest in the middle is wearing a dark cassock while two in front wear surplices. A few church parishioners watch and wait. Photograph ordered by the Rev. Gabriel Donohue.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960;