Asbury Methodist Church Choir, Jan. 1938. Top row, left to right, Mrs. G.A. Reeves, Mrs. George Moffett, Mrs. Helen Buhl, Miss Jean Simpson, Arthur Wickens, Choir director, Rev. Rudolph Anderson, minister, Mrs. Florence Cooper, organist, Miss Faith Simpson, Mrs. Ondia Vargo, Miss Norma Garff. Standing row: Miss Virginia Huntsman, Frank B. Wickens, Clarence Benjamin, Claire Hanson, Neil Richardson, Cyril Hanson, Newton Wade, James Simpson and Mrs. Blanche Wagenblast. (T. Times 1/28/38 pg 3)

Methodist churches--Tacoma; Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Choirs (Music);

Easter morning, March 28, 1937, at the First Presbyterian Church. The congregation gathers on the sidewalk in front of the building. Large trees and grass embellish the wide parkway between the sidewalk and street. (T. Times)

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

ca. 1937. Independent Bible Church, circa 1937. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Bible Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1932. Epworth Methodist Church, circa 1932. The modified Gothic structure was built in 1926 from a design by George W. Bullard, architect, of tapestry brick with stone trim. (filed with Argentum)

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church. The Church was constructed in the early -mid 1920's from a design by senior architect Ralph Adams Cram of the firm of Cram and Ferguson of Boston. Its tower stands above the church, adorned with statues of four apostles, John, Matthew, Mark & Luke, as well as religious symbols. Its stained glass windows were designed by Mr. Cram and manufactured by Colonial Stained Glass Window Works of Boston. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture and is on the City Registry. (WSHS)

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

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, interior of Ferguson Chapel. The small chapel was given to the church as a memorial to the late William Ferguson by Mrs. William Ferguson and her sons William and John. Mr. Ferguson had come to Tacoma as an Irish immigrant and was one of the founders of the church. The Ferguson Chapel seated 150 and was open to the community for use, without regard to denomination. (WSHS, Argentum)

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

Exterior view of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Russell and Babcock, Architects, 1909. Spanish Mission style church with tower at rear. Taken in conjunction with the December 1936 Charles Mattson kidnapping case. (Seattle Star).

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. Thornton Shaw, Charles Mattson's teacher at Immanuel Presbyterian Church Sunday School, sitting at desk. On December 27, 1936 at approximately 9 p.m., ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped from his parent's home at 4605 No. Verde by a masked gunman. The gunman, viewed by his brother, sister and family friend, was described as 40, 5'7", 145 pounds, swarthy complected with a heavy dark beard and European accent. He left a ransom note demanding $28,000. In the days that followed, the kidnapper made confusing and conflicting demands of Dr. and Mrs. William Mattson by mail and telephone. Charles' body was found January 10. 1937 in a snowy, wooded area near Everett. The discovery prompted the largest manhunt in Pacific Northwest history, but the murderer was never found. (photograph T. Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaw, Thornton; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Harold A. Johnson was photographed on January 13, 1943, while working on the large mural that he was commissioned to paint for the Bethel Pentecostal Church at 1101 South J Street. Standing next to him is the church's minister, Rev. John W. Moseid. The painting was to be unveiled during a special service on Sunday evening, January 16, 1943. Mr. Johnson, who specialized in sacred pictures, and Edwin J. Richardson opened a studio at 951 Market Street in April of 1944. (T. Times 1/16/1943 p.7 & TNT 4/23/1944 p.A-6)

Bethel Pentecostal Assembly (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murals; Johnson, Harold A.; Moseid, John W.; Artists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clergy--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sumner First Methodist Church. Exterior view of large brick church in Sumner, Washington. Cross design in brick bell tower above triple-door entrance to church. Built in 1923. (T. Times, Special Edition).

First Methodist Church (Sumner); Protestant churches--Sumner;

St. Patrick's Church, general view of exterior. Large stone church building by Frederick Heath, Architect; 1906. (T.Times, Spring Edition)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

St. Patrick's Church, general view of exterior. Large stone church building by Frederick Heath, Architect; 1906. (T. Times, Spring Edition)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

Wedding of Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) Wetherby and Connor E. Gray, Jr., of Seattle, July 12, 1941, at First Presbyterian Church. Bride (seated) and groom (second from left) sign marriage certificate as Maid of Honor, the bride's sister Jane Wetherby, and Best Man, groom's brother Sharod Gray, look on. The man in the suit on the left is believed to be Dr. J.R. McCullough, who read the vows. (T. Times 4/14/1941, pg. 7)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wetherby, Margaret Elizabeth--Marriage; Gray, Connor; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wetherby, Jane; Gray, Sharod;

Conference at the First Methodist Church. First Methodist Church of Tacoma was hosting the annual Methodists Northwest Conference from June 12 to June 16, 1940 at the church located at 4th & "K" (later Martin Luther King Jr. Way). Besides the business sessions and committee meetings, delegates found time to relax and enjoy activities in the church's large social hall. Here some attendees line up to play shuffleboard, one of the more popular exercises, the other being archery. (T.Times 6-14-1940, p. 3)

Methodist churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; First Methodist Church (Tacoma); Shuffleboard;

Mary Elizabeth Thaut died at the age of 63. She was a native from Russia and first lived in Dallas, Oregon, she spent her last 35 years in Tacoma. The services were organized by Cassedy and Allen at Evangelical Lutheran Church. Cassedy & Allen casket pictures of Mary Elizabeth Thaut.

Thaut, Mary Elizabeth, 1883-1946--Death & burial; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Religious articles; Bouquets; Cassedy & Allen Mortuary (Tacoma); Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church, Father Joe, First Communicants. Five boys wearing white shirts and bow ties and twelve girls wearing white dresses and veils stand with two nuns.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Choir at St. Nicholas Church, 17 girls and the choral director standing in the sanctuary of the church on July 31, 1945. The walls are painted with religious icons. The second choir member in the front row (L-R) has been identified as Gloria Victoria Hallis. Miss Hallis was 18 years old at the time of this group portrait. She would be the church organist for many years and active in the Daughters of Penelope. Miss Hallis' parents owned Hallis Produce Co. where she was employed as head bookkeeper her entire life. A second choir member has been identified as Katherine Formuzis Turlis. She is in the front row, extreme right. (Additional information provided by Despina K. McLaughlin Alatsis)

Orthodox churches--Tacoma; St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Altars--Tacoma; Hallis, Gloria Victoria;

First Lutheran Church, mortgage burning. The pastor and five men look on as a woman holds the burning paper. Two of the men stand ready with a tray to catch the paper when she can no longer hold it. Construction on the building was begun in 1925. L-R, Donald Lindeman, representing service man and woman; C.O. Lynn, chairman, Board of Trustees; Caroline (Mrs. Gustave) Lindberg, church member since 1889, representing women; Rev. Carl E. Rydell, pastor; B.B. Bartels, board member for many years; Edward Young, builder of church and congregation officer for many years; and Wilbur N. Nelson, treasurer. (T.Times, 1/28/1946, p.2)

First Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Lindeman, Donald; Lynn, C. O.; Lindberg, Caroline; Rydell, Carl E.; Bartels, B. B.; Young, Edward; Nelson, Wilbur N.; Mortgages;

New Tacoma Cemetery is located in the Southwest area of Tacoma, on 9221 Chambers Creek Road. The New Tacoma Cemetery is considered one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest, with a mausoleum and sacred sanctuary on the grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery is a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way. Exterior view of the grounds, some graves are decorated with flowers and American flags.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Benches--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients and families a tranquil serene final resting place. Families can choose from beautiful grounds landscaped with junipers, rhododendrons and azaleas, mausoleum, or an Urn Garden and Rockery constructed in three levels with a perpetual waterfall. View of entrance leading into the New Tacoma Cemetery, the gates are open, the mausoleum is located on the right side.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gates--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Assembly of God was inviting all interested individuals to hear G. B. McDowell, evangelist and Paul Glover, singer, to their great pentecostal rally. Some of the subjects that would be covered included: "The Bannisters That Need To Be Built", "The Paralyzed Soul", and "What Will Bring America Back To God?". View of First Christian Church auditorium, balcony and main level are filled up, stained glass in background (T. Times, 5/29/48, p. 3).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Religion; Assembly of God (Tacoma); First Christian Church (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);

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;

This photograph from January, 1951 shows one of the churches designed by the architectural firm of Heath & Twichell in Tacoma during the early years of the 20th Century. Built in 1909 as the Swedish Mission Tabernacle, for many years it was home to the First Covenant Church. The two-story, Italianate-style brick church is one of the few non-residental buildings designed by Heath & Twichell that has survived. Today it is home to the Sure House Open Bible Church. Pilasters lead to pediments at the roof-line. The upper portion of the building appears to have been covered with metal sheathing. Ordered by Reverend R. L. Erickson. TPL-8338

First Covenant Church (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma;

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;

Interior view of room at Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Several sofas and chairs in addition to a piano provide a comfortable atmosphere. The Central Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints constructed a new facility in 1949. Much of the labor for building the church was provided by its membership.

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

The new LDS chapel at 1201 South 4th Street contained a large recreation hall with stage and piano. Polished wood flooring gleam under the recessed lights. The new hall measured 55 by 70 feet and was used for youth programs. In addition, ten classrooms, an expandable chapel, Boy Scout and Relief Society rooms were added. Members of the Tacoma Central Ward contributed their labor in building the new chapel.

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

Sepia photograph of interior of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Fife. This photograph, taken from the rear of the church on August 26, 1950, shows the clean, sparse lines of the church. Open beam ceilings and dropped lighting along with hopper-style windows provide a suitable accompaniment to the simple altar and rows of wooden pews. Photograph was commissioned by architectural firm of Lance, McGuire & Muri of Tacoma.

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

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;

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.;