Men are adding window shapes to the plywood concrete forms at the new Central Seventh Day Adventist Church in this photograph dated November 3, 1952. The estimated cost of the new church was $150,000 and it was expected to be completed in March 1953. The congregation had outgrown their building at 923 South I Street that they had used for more than 30 years and had been renting the First Congregational Church since 1943. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT, 9/28/1952, p.C-15)

Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Members of the committee planning St. Rita's annual church bazaar met to complete their plans. There were to be many well stocked booths and favors awarded hourly on the hour during the three-day event. L-R, are, seated Mary (Mrs. Fisher) Messina, Evelyn (Mrs. Joseph) Liberto and Caroline Turco. Standing, Mrs Louis Constanti, Amelia (Mrs. John) Mazzuca, and Cyrilla (Mrs. Leo) DiStafano. (TNT, 11/12/1952, p.15)

St. Rita's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Messina, Mary; Liberto, Evelyn; Turco, Caroline; DiStafano, Cyrilla; Mazzuca, Amelia; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

For the Tacoma Council of Churches.

Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma);

Dwight and Virginia Robinson stand outside St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Old Tacoma wearing some of the fall season's new fashions. Mrs. Robinson is wearing a coat of Bolivia cloth and a Canadian fox collar. Mr. Robinson, president of Western Furnaces, chose a conservative three-button lounge sack guit and a Dobbs hat. The exterior of St. Peter's has weathered and some of the windows are broken. Restoration of the early Tacoma church was begun in 1956. The small, 21 ft. x 45 ft., Carpenter Gothic church was built in 1873. It was designed by Rev. Charles Bonnell. The timber was donated by Hanson-Ackerson Mill and construction took 10 days. The building was placed on the National Register in 1975. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune for their fall fashion section. (TNT, 9/11/1952, p.C-7)

Episcopal churches--Tacoma; St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Aged persons--Tacoma; Robinson, Dwight; Robinson, Virginia; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spouses--Tacoma;

Members of the Central Seventh Day Adventist Church began construction of their new church in the fall of 1952. They had rented the First Congragational Church at Division Avenue and J Streets since the congregation outgrew their old church on I Street. Plywood concrete forms and steel rebar are in place during construction and two workmen are sawing plywood while standing on scaffolding. Progress photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT, 9/28/1952, p.C-15)

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Plywood; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma);

Members of the Central Seventh Day Adventist Church donated much of the labor needed to build their new church. Plywood forms are in place for concrete to be poured and a steel I-beam stretches across the main floor of the modern, streamlined structure designed by Silas E. Nelsen. John Wagner, the contractor from Salem, Oregon, specialized in building churches. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT, 9/28/1952, p.C-15)

Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (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;

Visitation School's 1952 graduating Class of 42 students taken in church sanctuary. Visitation Church was designed by C. Frank Mahon, Architect, and constructed in 1913. The school was added in 1925 and opened on September 8th with an enrollment of 170 students, at a cost of $1.00 per month for in parrish families. The school was staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Benedict's Convent in Minnesota. ("A History of Pierce County" V. 3)

Church schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Altars--Tacoma; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); School of the Visitation (Tacoma);

Committee of four ladies for the Catholic Daughters of America.The Catholic Daughters of America was founded in 1903. The organization is made up of Catholic women involved in religious, charitable and educational projects. Pictured are Mrs. Alexander Brewuer, Mrs. Edward C. Grewich, Aimee (Mrs. M.J.) Kenney and Catherine (Mrs. Ashley K.) White.

Catholic Daughters of America (Tacoma); Kenney, Aimee; White, Catherine F.; Public service organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The choir stands in front of the pipe organ at Central Lutheran Church.

Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Organs;

Dorothy Hanson (far left) and Al Bellandi were crowned king and queen of the Young People's Fellowship's Mardi Gras carnival held on Friday February 22, 1952 at Holy Communion Church parish house. Toni Jones (right), president of the Young People's Fellowship, is helping arrange King Bellandi's royal cape. Booths, a box supper and games were followed by dancing and cards. Proceeds from the affair benefited the church. (TNT, 2/20/1952, p.A-12) TPL-10520

Church of the Holy Communion (Tacoma); Episcopal churches--Tacoma; Hanson, Dorothy; Bellandi, Al; Jones, Toni;

The kitchen at the First Presbyterian Church has been recently remodeled. The new stainless steel surfaces on the ovens, stove, sinks and counter tops are gleaming as are the exteriors of the large coffee urns on the right. Large windows are seen on the right. Wooden tables have been added in a row along the middle of the long kitchen providing ample space for large amounts of food to be prepared. (TNT, 1/13/1952, p.C-15) TPL-2267

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Hugh MacWhirter, Carman Knap Nordlund and Ernest Bates (L-R) sang the trio in the Saint-Saens "Christmas Oratorio" at the First Methodist Church's annual carol service in 1951. The church choir, directed by Fritz Berntsen, and other soloists would also take part in the performance. Ordered by Mr. Berntsen. (TNT, 12/23/1951, p.C-7)

Methodist churches--Tacoma; First Methodist Church (Tacoma); MacWhirter, Hugh; Nordlund, Carman Knap; Bates, Ernest; Singers;

Members of the Foursquare Gospel Church congregate in front of their church building in December, 1951, for the first Cadet Rally. There are a large amount of smiling children present; many are holding onto huge balloons. Rev. Elsworth T. Johnson is listed as pastor according to the 1951 City Directory.

Protestant churches--Tacoma; Children & adults--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balloons--Tacoma; Foursquare Gospel Church (Tacoma);

Children at the Foursquare Gospel Church let loose their large balloons in celebration of the first Cadet Rally on December 1, 1951. All eyes follow the balloons' upward path. The Foursquare Gospel Church was located at 2303 South Sheridan Avenue and pastored by Rev. Elsworth T. Johnson. Built in 1909, the church was first home to the First Swedish-Finnish Baptist Church before it was purchased by Foursquare Gospel in 1938. (TPL-3864)

Protestant churches--Tacoma; Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balloons--Tacoma; Foursquare Gospel Church (Tacoma);

Reverend Elsworth T. Johnson. First Cadet Rally at Foursquare Gospel Church. Large group of children holding balloons in front of early wood-frame church building with three Gothic-style windows at front.

Protestant churches--Tacoma; Children & adults--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balloons--Tacoma; Foursquare Gospel Church (Tacoma);

A Country Fair was held at the Little Church on the Prairie's Education Building on Friday, November 9, 1951. Mrs. Charles Fields, Mrs. R. Gene Grant, Mrs. Neil Armstrong and Mrs. Ernest Grant (from left) met earlier at the home of Mrs. George Boldt on October 30, 1951, to display some of the dolls, Christmas stockings, aprons and other hand-made gift items to be sold at the Country Fair. (TNT 11-4-1951, D-6)

Little Church on the Prairie (Lakewood); Boldt, George H.--Homes & haunts; Fields, Charles--Family; Grant, R. Gene--Family; Armstrong, Neil--Family; Grant, Ernest--Family; Dolls;

The adult choir at Trinity Methodist Church. Ordered by Mrs. Sanderson. Reverend John P. Johnson was pastor at this time.

Trinity Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music);

In October of 1951, Carol S. (Mrs. W. C.) Allen and Lloyd L. Wynans received their awards as national prize winners in a contest sponsored by the Kelvinator Division of the Nash-Kelvinator Corp. Mrs. Allen won a new Nash Rambler Country Club sedan for her completion of the statement, "I like the Kelvinator refrigerator because..." in less than 100 words. Mr. Wynans also received a new Nash Rambler from the Sanford Nash dealership for being the salesman at Harkness Rug and Furniture Company that demonstrated the Kelvinator appliances to Mrs. Allen. They are seen with their new cars in front of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Central Ward at 1201 So. 4th St. Pictured are, L-R, Lloyd L. Wynans, Harkness appliance manager; C.R. Manning, sales manager for Nash-Kelvinator Sales Corp.; Roger B. Trick, zone manager for Nash-Kelvinator; Mrs. Allen, Nash winner; and E.P. Christian, district manager for Nash-Kelvinator. (TNT, 10/14/1951, p.A-12)

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Nash automobile; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Wynans, Lloyd L.; Allen, Carol S.;

A room full of more than 100 children from the Bible class at the First Presbyterian Church. TPL-1739

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sunday schools--Tacoma;

Dr. Albert J. Lindsey stands behind the pulpit at the First Presbyterian Church.

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

Forty-one students are shown in the Visitation School 1951 graduating class. Ordered by Sister Rosevitha.

Church schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Altars--Tacoma; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); School of the Visitation (Tacoma);

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.;

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;

Hallway outside of the main chapel at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So., on Easter Sunday, 1951. Arched doorways and tiled floors figure importantly in the building's design. The building is heated by radiators, as can be seen on the right hand side of the picture.

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

Scenes from Easter Sunday service at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So. The beautiful Romanesque church was designed by local architects Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, with consultation by renowned church designers Cram and Ferguson of Boston. This picture shows the choir loft backed by stained glass windows. Arches at the ceiling level accent the choir alcove. Easter lilies bedeck the altar.

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

Crowds at the Easter Sunday service at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So. This lovely Romanesque church has been a Tacoma landmark since 1925. Arched and circular windows shine daylight into the church. Large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling help light the immense structure. The church has both balcony and ground floor seating and seems to be full this Easter Sunday.

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

Choir of approximately 50 poses in front of the First Presbyterian Church in their dark choir robes. The Church, designed by Ralph Adams Cram of Boston, can be seen in the background. The ornate dome atop the tower, with its ancient Christian symbols, has been a dominant fixture of the Tacoma skyline since 1925.

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

To celebrate the 109th anniversary of the formation of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Tacoma Central Ward Relief Society members held a party in their new church's club rooms at 4th & So. L. The organization had grown in 109 years from 18 members at inception to 126,000 women nationwide. The group claimed to be the oldest active national women's organization and had met weekly since their founding March 17, 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois. They have sponsored emergency contributions in many world crises, living up to their motto "Charity Never Faileth." The four center women in the photograph, left to right, are Mrs. Lloyd Green, Geraldine (Mrs. Mirl J.) Haney, Afton (Mrs. Lige) Dickson and Rosella (Mrs. Leslie C.) Seal. (TNT 3/22/1951, pg. C-4)

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Central Ward Relief Society (Tacoma); Haney, Geraldine; Dickson, Afton; Seal, Rosella; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commemoration--Tacoma; Tea parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;