This is the choir of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1723 South "I" Street, as photographed in February of 1950. The choir was led by William Ervin, at center (with hymnal) next to church pastor Rev. E.B. Wilson. Bethlehem Baptist was founded in 1890 in Tacoma and was the oldest African American Baptist church in the city. The church at this location was dedicated in 1922. It was destroyed by fire in 1959 and subsequently rebuilt. Rev. E.B. Wilson was a member of Bethlehem Baptist for 50 years and served as its minister for 20 years. (TNT 4/7/1950, p.4 complete listing of choir names) TPL-10345
Baptist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wilson, Edward B.; Clergy--Tacoma; Ervin, William;
In January of 1950, 33 inches of snow fell in Tacoma and the average temperature was 28.4 degrees F. By February 2nd the water in Gig Harbor yacht basin had frozen into ice five inches thick. The Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 101 E. 38th St. was feeling the chill. They hired Ellwood C. Karst and Robert E. Patterson, owners of the Home Insulation Company, to blow rock wool insulation into the church. This photograph was taken on February 2, 1950.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Home Insulation Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;
ca. 1949. Funeral, Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, exterior view. Mourners gather behind the flag-covered casket outside the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, 1717 Fawcett Ave., in this circa 1949 photograph. There are many large floral tributes including one with "77" emblazed amidst the blooms.
Bethlehem Baptist Church primarily had African-American members. In January 1959 Bethlehem Baptist Church was destroyed by a fire, the congregation decided to rebuild their facilities. View of banquet celebrating the 10th anniversary of Reverend Edward Byard Wilson; Reverend Wilson (seated on the right next to wife Allie) is joined by family, friends, and other church members. TPL-8582
Baptist churches--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American churches--Tacoma; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Wilson, Edward Byard; Clergy--Tacoma; Wilson, Allie;
In August of 1949 the congregation of the Bethlehem Baptist Church of Tacoma celebrated the 10th anniversary of Reverend Edward Byard Wilson, Pastor. The Bethlehem Baptist Church was dedicated in August 1922; the church building costs were about $10,000. This church is located at South 18th & I Street, in the Hilltop area of Tacoma. On January 7, 1959 the church was virtually destroyed by a fire, and it had to be rebuilt.
Baptist churches--Tacoma; Preaching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American churches--Tacoma; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Wilson, Edward Byard; Clergy--Tacoma;
Bethlehem Baptist Church was celebrating the 10th anniversary of their pastor, Reverend Edward Byard Wilson, in August of 1949. View of Reverend Wilson, who is joined by his wife, Allie, friends, and other church members. TPL-5783
Baptist churches--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American churches--Tacoma; Bethlehem Baptist Church (Tacoma); Wilson, Edward Byard; Clergy--Tacoma; Wilson, Allie;
Reverend Carl A. Johnson, minister of the First Christian Church of Tacoma would be presenting six sermons, all open to the public. Reverend Johnson would be preaching about "Practical Christian Living" from the Book of James. The six sermons would be: "Living Practically", "Living Enthusiastically", "Living Spiritually", "Living Prayerfully", "Living Victoriously" and "Living Seriously". Photo ordered by United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival (T.N.T., 8/20/49, p. 7).
Revivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evangelists; Religious groups--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma; Temporary buildings--Tacoma; Show tents--Tacoma; United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival (Tacoma);
Reverend Carl A. Johnson, minister of the First Christian Church of Tacoma, presented six sermons, all open to the public, in August of 1949. They were held in the Tent Cathedral at 1400 South Trafton, which claimed to be "America's largest fireproof gospel tent." The 100-ft. by 200-ft. tent was packed with those interested in hearing Reverend Johnson preach about "Practical Christian Living" from the Book of James. The Reverend's six sermons were: "Living Practically," "Living Enthusiastically," "Living Spiritually," "Living Prayerfully," "Living Victoriously," and "Living Seriously." Photo ordered by United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival (T.N.T., 8/20/49, p. 7-article).
Revivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evangelists; Religious groups--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma; Temporary buildings--Tacoma; Show tents--Tacoma; United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival (Tacoma); Johnson, Carl A.; Clergy--Tacoma--1940-1950;
In July of 1949 contractor Bob Joshlin brought in a 120-foot crane from Northwest Hauling Company to remove the tower from the Central Lutheran Church. The church at 1001 South G was built in 1889 as the First Presbyterian Church. The tower had been condemned due to deterioration during its 50-year watch over downtown Tacoma. The church was demolished in 1955. (TNT, 7/15/1949, p.1) TPL-4455
Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Bell towers--Tacoma; Steeples; Hoisting machinery; Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma);
Church of the Visitation's school was planning their graduation ceremony for June 1, 1949. The graduates would attend mass and receive holy communion followed by a breakfast prepared by the Visitation Women's Club. Spiritual exercises would be presented by Father Michael Feeney, O.S.B., of St. Martin's College. View of Visitation School graduates on the altar.
Church schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Altars--Tacoma; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); School of the Visitation (Tacoma);
Church members working on new church, Latter Day Saints, L.C. Seal. Volunteers from the Tacoma Central Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, spent their 1949 Memorial Day holiday working on their new church at South 4th and L Streets. The church was now more than two-thirds completed. Included in the photograph are Bishop Franklin Harris, B.E. Anderson, architect, and Leslie C. Seal, building superintendant and financial chairman. Names are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 6/1/1949, p.1)
Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Church membership--Tacoma;
Church members working on new church, Latter Day Saints, L.C. Seal. The volunteers who worked over Memorial Day on their new church take a break on the steps to the building which was estimated to cost $177,000. Most of the exterior work was completed and a tentative completion date for the building was set for October 1, 1949. (TNT, 6/1/1949, p.1)
Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Church membership--Tacoma;
In May of 1949, St. Patrick's Church, 1123 No. J St., was photographed outlined against the spring sky. The Catholic church was designed by architect Frederick Heath, and built in 1906 of stone. It replaced the original wooden church which served the Old Town section of Tacoma for 13 years before being destroyed by fire in 1905. The first services in the new church were held on Christmas Day, 1906, although the church was later dedicated in June of 1907. A bell tower graces one corner of the church and a rose window is centered above the main doors. The doors and windows are arched. St. Patrick's Parochial School can be seen on the far right. TPL-4766
St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Bell towers--Tacoma; Stained glass--Tacoma; Windows--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma;
This front-on view of the exterior of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church with scaffolding set against its spire was taken on May 16, 1949, just a month after the devastating earthquake that damaged many buildings in the Puget Sound region, including some of the parish buildings. The gothic style church with its tall 54-foot steeple (270 feet from the ground to the top of the cross) dominates the city's skyline for long distances. Saint Joseph's Catholic Church can be seen in the distance along Tacoma Avenue at South 34th Street. Photograph ordered by Safway Steel Scaffolds Co.
Safway Steel Scaffolds Company. An exterior view of Church of the Holy Rosary with scaffolding ascending the lower portion of the spire. The church was originally built in 1891 of wood. In 1920 the brick structure was demolished and this brick, gothic style building was built at the same location. The rectory, located at 512 South 30th Street, is seen next to the church on the north.
Dr. J. Renwick McCullough would be leaving Tacoma's First Presbyterian Church and joining Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California. His Tacoma congregation gave Dr. McCullough and his family a farewell dinner and gift. View of Dr. J. Renwick McCullough delivering his last sermon at First Presbyterian Church on April 24, 1949 (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. A-5).
Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clergy--Tacoma; Preaching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); McCullough, J. Renwick;
Dr. J. Renwick McCullough would be leaving First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, he had accepted a pastoral position at Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California. View of Dr. J. Renwick McCullough baptizing a baby; this was the last service Dr. McCullough would be celebrating at First Presbyterian Church (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. A-5).
Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clergy--Tacoma; Baptisms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Preaching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);
Tacoma's First Presbyterian Church was saying farewell to Dr. J. Renwick McCullough and his family. Reverend Walter Johnson and Reverend Neil Shaughnessy spoke at the McCullough farewell dinner; more than 400 members of the church attended the event. View of Dr. J. Renwick McCullough delivering his last sermon at First Presbyterian Church on April 24, 1949 (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. A-5).
Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clergy--Tacoma; Preaching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);
Four hundred members from the First Presbyterian Church honored Dr. and Mrs. J. Renwick McCullough and their son William with a farewell dinner and reception at the church. Dr. McCullough and his family are headed to Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California. The family was presented with a piano as a going-away gift (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. A-3).
Receptions--Tacoma; Farewells--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma; Banquet halls--Tacoma; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);
Holroyd Company, Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A view of the new sanctuary of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Open beams are shown with a wooden ceiling beyond. The altar stands against the far wall. The interior of the church was photographed on February 1, 1949.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Ceilings--Tacoma;
Annual Sunday School rally, group of approximately 300, Faith Temple, Mrs. DeWeese. A large congregation of children and adults gathered September 26, 1948, at Faith Temple. They had advertised a "Great Combined Sunday School Rally and Morning Worship Service" at 10 a.m.; a "Young People and Hour of Power Service" at 6:15 p.m.; and an "Evangelistic and Singspriation" at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. R.F. DeWeese would be preaching that day. R.F. DeWeese was the pastor and Jack Brown was the assistant pastor of Faith Temple. Their address was 1001 South K Street. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.3)
Sunday schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Churches--Tacoma; Faith Temple (Tacoma); Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950;
St. Leo's new convent at 13th and G Streets, Times, Father Krebsbach. The new convent of the Sisters of St. Francis was nearly complete and St. Leo's held an Open House September 26, 1948. Construction of the new convent, adjoining St. Leo's church, was begun March 1, 1948, and was expected to be complete the end of September at a cost of $125,000. The building contained 22 rooms in addition to the library, kitchen, community room and laundry facilities. A two-story arch surrounded the main doorway and a round window decorated the corner of the facade. A cross is placed at the peak of the roofline. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.1)
St. Leo's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sisters of St. Francis Convent (Tacoma); Convents--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma; Windows--Tacoma; Crosses;
Glenna Ann Gaffney and James B. Dickson were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church September 11, 1948. A white runner is lying on the carpet down the central aisle of the church where the bride and her attendants walked to the central altar. The bride can be seen on the left side of the altar, the priest is in the center and the groom is on the right. The bride was a graduate of St. Leo's and attended Seattle University. The groom attended Washington Technical Institute of Seattle. The interior of the church is lit by central chandeliers and side sconces. Columns rise into arches and rib-vaulted ceilings. (T.Times, 9/18/1948, p.10)
St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chandeliers; Altars--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gaffney, Glenna Ann--Marriage; Dickson, James B.; Priests--Tacoma;
Wedding party at altar at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Dorothy Blanche Gourley and Robert Frank Mennitti were married during the late summer with Reverend Father Buckman and 250 guests. Dorothy, the daughter of Earl B. and Elsie L. Gourley and Robert, the son of Rocco J. and Jennie Minnitti, were both graduates of Stadium High School. Robert had also graduated from the College of Puget Sound. (T.Times, 9/7/1948, p.6)
St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Mennitti, Robert Frank; Gourley, Dorothy Blanche; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950;
The Norwegian, Rogalands Laget Convention was held at the Messiah Lutheran Church on August 14 and 15, 1948. Norwegians came from all parts of the state; two reporters for a Norwegian newspaper published in Fargo, North Dakota, attended. The program included addresses, music and other entertainment, presented in both English and Norwegian. This group photograph was taken in front of the Messiah Lutheran Church, built as the First Norwegian Lutheran Church in 1891. In 1959, it became the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and in 1965 the Shiloh Baptist Church. Ordered by Stavanger Lag (Lodge), Marie Sala, Secretary. (TNT, 8/11/1948, p. 18). TPL-6584
Messiah Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Group portraits; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Norwegian Americans;
Chaplain Howard Rusthoi of Los Angeles, California brought his United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival to Tacoma for two weeks in August of 1948. His giant tent cathedral was set up at South 14th and Trafton. Chaplain Rusthoi had served for twenty years in the ministry including 28 months with the U.S. Army Air Corps. His services were broadcast nightly on KTBI radio. His revival had the local help and support of eleven churches and their pastors. Appearing with Chaplain Rusthoi were Joseph Waugh, a scotch tenor, and Fred Henry, who with billed as the "Blind Pianist". (T. Times, 8/7/48, p. 3).
Revivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evangelists; Religious groups--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma; Temporary buildings--Tacoma; Show tents--Tacoma; United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival (Tacoma);
Holy Rosary Church was originally a wooden structure built in 1891, in 1920 this gothic style building was erected at the same site. This church is 270 feet from the ground to the cross, the steeple is 54 feet. In 1941 Holy Rosary Catholic Church celebrated its 50th anniversary. View of scaffolding in the altar area, three workmen are located on top, the church was likely going through some maintenance or painting. Background view of side chapels, Altar, High Altar, aisle, pews, podium, and religious statues.
The New Tacoma Cemetery has just had many Memorial Day services and had hundreds of visitors during this weekend period in 1948. This cemetery was a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way, both were owned by the Tacoma Cemetery Association. View of graves, some have an American Flag, in the New Tacoma Cemetery, a park bench is by a large tree.
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 100 acres of beautiful peaceful resting grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery has been serving Tacoma families since 1932, they are under the administration of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization. Exterior view of grounds, large trees and beautifully landscaped grounds offer peace and tranquility, sacred sanctuary in background.
Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);
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);
