ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church courtyard. The church design by Ralph Adams Cram featured a center courtyard with a pillared colonnade separating the central worship area from the administration portion of the church. The courtyard is paved with brick and has stone seating. The church took around 5 years to construct and cost nearly a half million dollars in 1925. The Associate architects were the local firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan. The church is on the City Registry. (WSHS)

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

ca. 1926. M.J. Wood stands beside an Oakland automobile in Division Street beside First Presbyterian Church. The Oakland automobile was manufactured from 1907-09 by the Oakland Motor Co. of Pontiac, Michigan, and from 1909-1931 by the Oakland Motors Division of General Motors. After 1931, the company continued to produce its other line of vehicles, the Pontiac. (filed with Argentum)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Automobiles--1920-1930; Oakland automobiles; Wood, M.J.;

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;

First Presbyterian Church and approximately 300 children attending the 1953 Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School was sponsored by area churches during a week in the summer to give children a chance to study the scriptures during their free time, and for parents to keep their children busy during the long summer days. For many baby boomers, summer brings fond memories of Vacation Bible School - memorizing Bible verses, singing songs, making Biblical characters out of clothespins and having snacks of cookies and Koolaid.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma--1950-1960; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christian vacation schools--1950-1960;

Wedding portrait of Joyce Adele Nelson and Lt. Gordon Albert Arnold, U.S.A.F., and attendants. The Arnolds were married March 29, 1952 in the Ferguson Memorial chapel of the First Presbyterian Church. The bride wore a white satin gown with a lace Peter Pan collar. Her heirloom veil was fingertip length and was first worn by her great-grandmother. Mrs. George Edward Anderson, sister of the bride, was matron of honor and wore a green satin brocade gown. Miss Janet Nelson, cousin of the bride, was a bridesmaid and George Edward Anderson, brother in law of the bride, was best man. Ushers were Lt. William Schwehm, Richard Knipe and Richard Frederick. The bride was the daughter of the Irving Nelsons and the groom was the son of the Norman Arnolds of Nazareth, Pa. Their first home was made in Tacoma. Lt. Arnold had been serving for 15 months with the Korean airlift. Sepia portrait. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. D-2)

Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Nelson, Joyce--Marriage; Arnold, Gordon; Wedding attendants--Tacoma;

Federal Old Line Life Insurance Company banquet at First Presbyterian Church on September 12, 1939. Federal Old Line was formed by J.R. Cissna and licensed in the state of Washington in 1937. His vision was a company that paid off claims within 48 hours after death. (filed with Argentum)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Federal Old Line Life Insurance Co. (Tacoma);

First Presbyterian Church ,general view of exterior. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. (filed with Argentum)

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

In June of 1927, Seattlite and frequent Tacoma visitor Esther Landstrom (in coat) was pictured with her new Willys-Knight 70-A coupe in front of the First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Avenue South. Her small dog stands on the running board. Her friend Dolly Wescott, a bookkeeper at Manley Motors, was at the wheel. Mrs. Landstrom had recently purchased her car from Manley Motor Company, 956-58 Fawcett Avenue, in Tacoma. Manley Motors were the authorized dealers of Overland, Willys-Knight, and Whippet automobiles. (TDL 6/19/1927, pg. G2) (WSHS)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Landstrom, Esther; Wescott, Dolly; Willys-Knight automobile; Dogs--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

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.;

Sepia photograph of church ceremony. This sepia photograph was taken in September, 1950, with the photographer in a loft directly across the recessed loft holding the organist and soloist. Janice Marie Ludwig and Richard D. North were married during an evening ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church; the candlelight wedding was a large one with the bride and groom each having eight attendants. The bride had a fingertip veil and a wedding dress with a long and full satin and lace train. (TNT 9-13-50, p. 22, TNT 9-17-50, p. D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Ludwig, Janice Marie--Marriage; North, Richard D.; Altars--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Portrait of bride and eight bridesmaids. Dressed in lace and satin, this smiling bride apparently had a very large and elaborate wedding. Janice Marie Ludwig became the bride of Richard D. North on September 12, 1950, during an evening ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church. The bride's satin wedding gown had pointed sleeves of Chantilly lace and she carried a bouquet of stephanotis and white orchids. There are eight attendants, all dressed similarly in sleeveless white tulle with transparent stoles; Marjorie Ludwig was her cousin's maid of honor. Lighted candelabra and pale gladiolus provide a beautiful backdrop to the double ring ceremony. (TNT 9-13-50, p. 22, TNT 9-17-50, p. D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Group portraits; Ludwig, Janice Marie--Marriage; Brides--1950-1960; North, Richard D.--Family; Altars--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Seated at the First Presbyterian Church's piano on December 29, 1967, is Calvin H. Knapp, professor at Pacific Lutheran University. Knapp graduated from the Julliard School of Music in New York City and began teaching piano, organ and theory at Pacific Lutheran in 1959. He was also the Director of Music at First Presbyterian and an official adjudicator for the Washington State Music Teachers Assn. Calvin Knapp and pianist wife Sandra resided in Gig Harbor. Photograph ordered by Calvin Knapp. (TNT 11-19-67, C-16, TNT 1-14-68, D-14)

Knapp, Calvin H.; Teachers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Musicians--Tacoma--1960-1970;

First Presbyterian Church choir. This is the First Presbyterian Church choir as pictured above on September 13, 1972. The 30-member chorus performed at a church banquet held in the church's Stone Hall. Photograph ordered by the First Presbyterian Church.

Choirs (Music); First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

By August of 1924, construction of the massive First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Avenue South was well underway. Ground had been broken in October of 1923 and the cornerstone laid in early May of 1924. The church, located in the historic Stadium District, was the third building for its congregation. The local architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan were given the contract to design this beautiful example of Romanesque architecture. They were assisted by noted Boston church architects, Cram & Ferguson. Ralph Adams Cram would design the church's interior features including the rich wood carvings and stained glass windows. First Presbyterian was dedicated in September of 1925. TPL-516; G22.1-201; BU-11,528

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church honored their pastor, Dr. Albert J. Lindsey, with a large plaque in appreciation for his 20 years of service to the church. Church elder H.A. Briggs (r in photo) presented Pastor and Mrs. Lindsey with the plaque. Mr. Briggs had arranged in June of 1949 for Dr. Lindsey, then a Detroit minister, to come to Tacoma to hold a Bible conference and to preach a sermon. He was installed as pastor later that month. Dr. and Mrs. Lindsey were feted at a surprise reception in the church's courtyard following morning service on July 27, 1969. Photograph ordered by the First Presbyterian Church. (TNT 8-1-69, B-2)

Lindsey, Albert J.; Clergy--Tacoma--1960-1970; Lindsey, Bernice; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Briggs, H.A.; Plaques--Tacoma;

The 20th annual missionary conference of the First Presbyterian Church would be held October 5-12, 1969. In keeping with the current space age theme, church members hold signs "lift-off for Missions" asking for prayers and donations. A giant cut-out of the earth with a wooden cross serves as a reminder of Christianity's influence on the world. The public would be invited to a tea honoring participating missionaries on October 9, 1969. Making plans for the tea were: (l-r) music chairman Mrs. James Klouse, Weyer Guild president Mrs. Cecil Meyers, Mrs. Albert J. Lindsey, wife of First Presbyterian's pastor, and president of the Women's Assn., Mrs. Harold Pratt. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church. (TNT 10-5-69, E-3)

Lindsey, Bernice; Klouse, James--Family; Meyers, Cecil--Family; Pratt, Harold--Family; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Christianity--Tacoma;

Easter morning, March 28, 1937, was one of the best weather wise in many years. Churches were crowded in the morning with the fellowships spilling outside at the end of the sermons to enjoy the sunshine. The choir at the First Presbyterian Choir was photographed assembled in courtyard of church. (T. Times, 3/29/37 p. 1)

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

ca. 1934. First Presbyterian Church. The red brick Romanesque structure was designed by Cram and Ferguson, architects from Boston, renowned for their church designs. They were assisted by the local architecture firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan. It was built in 1924 for the sum of $500,000. At the center of the picture is the Church's ornate dome with its ancient Christian symbols and figures. TPL-2266

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, general view of interior of the main auditorium. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. The lights, hung from heavy chains, were constructed of antique iron. All of the interior features, including the carved wooden pieces and stained glass windows, were designed by Ralph Adams Cram. In 1926, the church's membership exceeded 2200, making it the largest Protestant church in Tacoma and the 33rd largest Presbyterian church in the country. (WSHS, Argentum)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, general view of exterior. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. The design by senior architect Ralph Adams Cram called for a center courtyard with a walkway connecting the main center of worship, right, with the building housing the daily functions and administration of the church. The main chapel is adorned with ecclesiastic symbols and colors. The tower can be seen over this area of the city, making it a true landmark. The church is listed on the City and National Historic Registry. (WSHS, Argentum)

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

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, general view of interior of the main auditorium. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. The church is listed on the Historic Registry of both the city of Tacoma and the nation. It is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Not only the architecture, but many of the interior elements, including carved wood and stained glass, were designed personally by Ralph Adams Cram. (WSHS, Argentum)

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