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);

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.;

The exterior of the Lincoln Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was photographed on April 22, 1954. The chapel was located at 5016 A Street; it was built primarily with the labor of its congregation. The building was constructed out of concrete block; the exterior appeared to be resurfaced with Perma-Stone. Perma-Stone was a tough, long lasting material which was cast by molds on walls of brick, block, wood, stucco or tile. Photograph ordered by Karl Kaman, contractor.

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

Hidden spotlights give the wooden Nativity scene a warm glow as this night exposure taken on September 19, 1954, shows. Lights also illuminate the church behind the creche; it is believed to be the Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood. The Nativity figures are painted in muted tones as they all acknowledge the birth of baby Jesus. Hay is spread on the church lawn to give the scene an additional authenticity. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Creches (Nativity scenes)--Lakewood; Churches--Lakewood--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The congregation of the University Place Assembly of God posed for this October 17, 1954, sepia photograph in front of their wood church. There appear to be many young families attending this particular house of worship. The large sign, "Jesus Saves" on the church was probably visible for quite some distance away. A black speaker is positioned above the sign next to the erected cross so that announcements could be heard even in the parking lot. The University Place Assembly of God was located at Mountain View Avenue and South 29th Street. Edwin Oster was listed in the 1954 City Directory as its pastor.

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

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;

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;

Interior of unidentified church near Seattle-Tacoma Airport, taken on June 28, 1962. Photograph features unusual open-beamed ceiling, apparently circular, with suspended lighting. Note there are no pews, only folding chairs. There is plenty of natural light with skylight and large windows. This is probably the hexagonal chapel of the Wayside Congregational Christian Church. Located in a former swampy area in Federal Way at Maltby Rd. & 312th St., the newly completed cedar building was connected by a bridge to an education building. Photograph ordered by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association. (TNT 7-25-62, A-9)

Churches;

Interior view of the Temple Beth El's South Temple on May 28, 1964. The Star of David is carved onto the many pews in the sanctuary as well as on the large circular window behind the curtained Ark. Two menorahs flank the bimah. Temple Beth El's South Temple was known as the Talmud Torah Synagogue. It was built in 1925 in the classic Italian Renaissance style with arched ceilings and glass windows. Talmud Torah Synagogue, although more traditionally minded, had merged with Temple Beth Israel in 1960. Now called Temple Beth El, it would sell its North Temple on No. 4th & J in 1964 to the Apostolic Faith Church; four years later, the Tacoma Blood Bank would acquire the Talmud Torah property. It was demolished and a parking lot established in its place. A new synagogue for the combined congregations was dedicated in 1968 at So. 12th & Vassault. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 15) Photograph ordered by Tacoma Realty.

Talmud Torah Synagogue (Tacoma); Synagogues--Tacoma;

McKinley Park Christian Church. Located near E. 40th & Spokane St., the McKinley Park Christian Church had been a presence in the neighborhood for nearly fifty years. The brick-and-wooden church was topped with a white steeple. It had a slanted ramp for those unable to walk up the small stairs. According to the 1965 City Directory, the Rev. Marvel D. Dunbar was pastor of the church. Photograph ordered by Percy Ball, A.I.A.

McKinley Park Christian Church (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1960-1970;

View of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Located at the corner of So. 43rd and So. "L," St. Paul's Methodist Church announced its Golden Jubilee celebration in 1940. A tent structure served as the church in 1890 until a permanent building was erected the following year; designed as a "lecture room and classroom," it was used as the church until a new building was completed in 1905. Through the years many improvements were made to the church property including new windows. Rev. Charles R. Davenport was listed as the pastor in the 1967 City Directory.

St. Paul's Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma;

On August 18, 1967, Pastor C. Russell Archer pointed out the detail on the arched door of the new home of the Faith Temple, 922-24 So. I St. Standing by him were Chairman of the Board of Trustees Arthur E. Alger (L) and assistant pastor, John R. Shearer. The modified Romanesque structure was previously home to the Swedish Mission Tabernacle and First Covenant Church. First Covenant sold the building in January, 1967, for $55,000 and moved to 3501 So. Orchard. Faith Temple's old church was located at So. 10th & K St. The congregation would march from their old location, now 1001 Martin Luther King Jr Way, to the new pictured church building on August 20th as part of the dedication ceremonies. Photograph ordered by Faith Temple. (TNT ad 8-5-67, p. 4; TNT 8-19-67, p. 5)

Faith Temple (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1960-1970; Archer, C. Russell; Alger, Arthur E.; Shearer, John R.;

Exterior - Temple Baptist Church, 1961. Designed by Silas E. Nelsen and built of reinforced concrete in 1949, the Temple Baptist Church was located at 245 Saint Helens Avenue. Dr. Robert L. Powell was the church's pastor. The sanctuary was completed in 1960. Temple Baptist has been located at 1108 Columbia Ave. in Fircrest since 2001.

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

Salvation Army conference at the Tacoma Hotel. Attendees pose for a group portrait on April 22, 1931 on the steps of the hotel. Many are wearing the familiar Salvation Army attire. Among those pictured is Col. Andrew Crawford of San Francisco, second in command of Salvation Army work in the Western states. G21.1-187 (TDL 4-22-31, p. 9-article on convention)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

The Seamen's Church Institute, in its various existences, has served thousands of sailors with both spiritual and material needs. This photograph, believed to have been taken in February of 1922, shows some of the visiting sailors enjoying some recreational downtime with a bit of piano music. The same men can be seen in Boland B5339. The clergyman in the rear is believed to be Rev. Harry Ferneyhough who had been the guiding force at the Institute for sixteen years. He was born in England and was a former sailor himself. Rev. Ferneyhough went daily to the harbor to greet ships and distribute handbills inviting sailors to visit the Institute. There would be no charge for food or any hospitality offered. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-12-22, 10-E; TDL 3-14-22, p. 5-article)

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pianos;

Members of the Polish National Alliance posed at the dedication of St. Joseph's Church, 602 South 34th St., on May 19, 1912. The men all wear ribbons/medals. It is not known whether the large group participated in the parade down Pacific Avenue prior to the church dedication.

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Polish National Alliance (Tacoma);

ca. 1944. Tacoma Central Ward Aaronic Priesthood boys displaying their Standard Quorum Award with Bishop Franklin S. Harris and James Milligan. First boy on left is Robert E. Evans.

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

St Peter's Episcopal Church, 2910 North Starr Street in Old Tacoma (W.T.) Photograph courtesy of the John Ogden Collection. At the time of this August, 1888, photograph, St. Peter's was 15 years old. The small (21 x 45-foot) Carpenter Gothic church was built in only ten days in August of 1873 on land donated by Edward S. "Skookum" Smith and Captain Starr. It is Tacoma's oldest church. As the label on the photograph notes, St. Peter's had the oldest church tower in the United States. An aged fir, cut at 48-feet, served as the bell tower. The age of the tree trunk was used in the calculation of the tower's age. The original tree was replaced by a new tower in 1935 when it was damaged by a windstorm. St. Peter's Episcopal Church is on the City and National Register. TPL-10166

St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Episcopal churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1888. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 602 Broadway, Tacoma, W.T. This circa 1888 photograph shows a man barely visible who is hanging from the side of the spire. The English Gothic-styled church may have been in the process of some kind of repair as there are timbers sticking through the openings of the tower. It was built of gray sandstone in 1883 in tribute to Kate Elizabeth Wright, the daughter of Charles Barstow Wright. Photograph courtesy of the John Ogden Collection. TPL-10171

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Episcopal churches--Tacoma;

Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, pastor of the Angelus Temple in Los Angeles and founder of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, paid a one-day visit to Tacoma on January 21, 1934, as part of a debating tour of the west. She was pictured gesturing while holding an open book and accompanied by fellow debater, Dr. Charles Lee Smith, president of the American Association for Advancement of Atheism. Dr. Smith and Mrs. McPherson debated on the subject, "There is No God." More than 1,000 people were in attendance at the Greenwich Coliseum at 407 South 13th Street to hear the debate. (TDL 1-21-34, A-2-article; TDL 1-22-34, p. 2-article)

ca. 1930. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4845 So. L St., Tacoma. Built in 1892 and remodeled in 1922.

ca. 1930. Bethesda Baptist Church, 4340 So. L St., Tacoma, as photographed circa 1930. Built in 1907 as the Home Telephone Co. substation; Russell and Babcock, architects. The building was remodeled in 1926 by Silas E. Nelsen for the Bethesda Church. Address was formerly 4338 So. L St.; alternate address 1201 S. 45th

ca. 1930s. Rev. Jokatsu Yukawa, pastor of the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, has donned protective gear and prepares to engage in kendo, a form of Japanese fencing. Rev. Yukawa is to the right in this sepia 1930's photograph; his masked opponent is not identified. The pair are practicing at the site of the Japanese Language School on Tacoma Avenue South, which had opened in 1921. Rev. Yukawa spent five years as the temple's minister, from 1928-1933. During his tenure, a $40,000 fund drive was initiated which culminated in the construction of the present church and junior members were organized in active Young Buddhist Association groups. He was promoted to serve a larger congregation in California and was replaced by Rev. Sensho Sasaki. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 16) TPL-2008.

ca. 1931. Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7302 So. Park Ave.,Tacoma. The new South Tacoma church was dedicated in October of 1924. The pastor in 1931 was the Rev. H.N. Svinth. Bowen # CHU-002

ca. 1931. Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church, 5634 So. Park Ave., Tacoma. The church was built in 1925. Bowen # CHU-009

ca. 1931. First Lutheran Church, 6050 So. Warner St., Tacoma. The church was built in 1912 as the First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran. By 1943, it was known as Hope Lutheran. Bowen # CHU-010

ca. 1931. English Seventh Day Adventist Church, 921-23 So. I St., Tacoma. Constructed in 1893, this building was the first synagogue in Tacoma. It was designed by local architect C.A. Darmer and originally named Temple Beth Israel. Nineteen years later, the new Temple Beth Israel was built at 324 No. J St. By 1931, the pictured structure was the English Seventh Day Adventist Church, later the First Seventh Day Adventist Church. It has since been demolished. Bowen # CHU-021

ca. 1931. First United Presbyterian Church, 1619 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma. This Gothic Spanish style church was built in 1922. It was designed by Frederic & Stanley Shaw, Architects. It was dedicated October 28, 1923. After a merger in 1958, it was known as Trinity United Presbyterian Church; now known as Trinity Presbyterian Church. Bowen #CHU-033

ca. 1931. Grace Baptist Church, 3502 No. Mullen, Tacoma. The church was built in 1928 and was only a few years old when this picture was taken. Bowen# CHU-043

ca. 1931. Norwegian Danish Methodist Church, 1604 So. J St., Tacoma. The church was built around 1885. Bowen #CHU-050.