A double mock wedding portrayed by small children at Epworth Methodist Church.

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Children playing adults;

ca. 1926. This is the First Church of Christ, Scientist circa 1926. The Greek influenced edifice was built in 1911 by Edward Young, contractor. It was designed by Tacoma architect Frederick Heath who also was responsible for Holy Rosary Church Rectory at 512 S 30th St, Washington Elementary School and many other schools and office buildings. The church remains located across the street from Wright Park.

First Church of Christ, Scientist (Tacoma); Christian Scientist churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1925. Choir at Our Saviors English Lutheran Church. Director: Mrs. J.A.E. Naess. (WSHS- negative A902-0)

Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Choirs (Music);

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.;

ca. 1921. St Paul's Catholic Cathedral, Yakima, WA. for Father Robert Armstrong, J.W. Maloney and J.E. McGuire, Associated Architects. Copy of architectural rendering of Spanish style church with decorated tower and large round window. (filed with Argentum)

St. Pauls Catholic Cathedral (Yakima); Catholic churches--Yakima; Architectural drawings;

ca. 1926. Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, general view of exterior. Stone church by Heath and Gove, Architects. 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Sixth Avenue Baptist Church (Tacoma);

This photograph of young children holding daffodils was taken at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Easter morning, 1935. The church, at 901 No. J Street, was built in 1908 and services began there in April, 1909. Designed by Ambrose J. Russell, the California (Spanish) mission style church was one of the earliest churches in this architectural style in the Northwest. It was included in the historic buildings "Grand Homes of Tacoma" tour in 1994.

Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Easter--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Daffodils;

US Congressman Wesley Lloyd's funeral at the First Baptist Church. Casket draped with flag, stage covered with flowers. The Church is adorned with 150-200 separate floral displays. Representative Lloyd died of a heart attack in his apartment in Washington, D.C. The Tacoma attorney was serving his second consecutive term as the Democratic representative for the new 6th Congressional District. The district was composed of Tacoma, Pierce County and most of King County, outside of Seattle. The criminal lawyer was the partner of Leo McGavick. He and his family resided at 3919 No. 34th. (T. Times 1/16/1936, pg. 5)

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Lloyd, Wesley--Death & burial; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lying in state--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Interior of First Baptist Church showing choir members in gowns.

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music);

Scofield graduating class of the Independent Bible Church, Tacoma. The banner behind the group reads "Search the Scriptures Daily." The pastor of the church was the Rev. Roy T. Brumbaugh. This new church was created when Rev. Brumbaugh split from the First Presbyterian Church. Four hundred and sixty-five members signed up with Dr. Brumbaugh to join the Independent Church. He typified his members as "fundamentalists" who opposed the organization of the Presbyterian Church. The Bible Church met at the Scottish Rite Temple, 5 So. G St., which it purchased in 1937. In 1943, the church dropped the Independent and became the Tacoma Bible Church. (T. Times 8/22/1935, pg. 1)

Independent Bible Church (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1930. The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Washington State's oldest Catholic Church. Exterior view of old wooden Catholic Church with clapboard sides, squat belfry. The Church was built in 1855 at Fort Steilacoom and moved to its present site in 1864. It is on both the State and National Historic Registry.

Church of the Immaculate Conception (Steilacoom); Catholic churches--Steilacoom; Historic buildings--Steilacoom;

Easter at the churches. The First Congregational Church, 209 South J St., is decorated with lilies and other flowers for Easter in April of 1938. This dimly lit view of the church's interior shows the choir singing for an appreciate audience from below the massive pipe organ where a floral cross has been placed. First Congregational Church, built in 1907, was later remodeled in 1925 and also in the 1950's. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Congregational churches--Tacoma; Easter--Tacoma;

ca. 1937. Independent Bible Church, circa 1937. The pastor of the church was the Rev. Roy T. Brumbaugh. This new church was created when Rev. Brumbaugh split from the First Presbyterian Church. Four hundred and sixty-five members signed up with Dr. Brumbaugh to join the Independent Church. He typified his members as "fundamentalists" who opposed the organization of the Presbyterian Church. The Bible Church met at the Scottish Rite Temple, 5 So. G St., which it purchased in 1937. In 1943, the church dropped the Independent and became the Tacoma Bible Church. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Bible Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1938. First Methodist Church quartet. Group of four men and one woman. (filed with Argentum)

First Methodist Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Methodist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Singers;

Elizabeth (Mrs. Melvin H. Jr.) Voorhees, left, and Mrs. Lawrence Worth admire antique silver and glassware at the home of Mrs. Edward Howell in April of 1937. Mrs. Voorhees was the chairman for the antique exhibit being held April 20, 1937 in the Stone Room of the First Presbyterian Church. The Circle B Planning Committee of the church was arranging the exhibit. Mrs. Howell was one of the exhibitors. Mel Voorhees was a wire editor at the Tacoma Times. (photograph also numbered T1038-1 and A4032-1) (Tacoma Times 4/19/1937, pg. 9)

Glassware; Teapots; Pitchers; Voorhees, Elizabeth; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was having their annual pageant in January of 1947. The Queen is sitting at her throne and flanked by her court. Two boys are blowing their horns and calling attention to the newly crowned Queen. There were three Mormon churches during this time, one of which was the Reorganized Church.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mormons--Tacoma;

Covenant Church confirmation class. Seven boys and ten girls are shown with their pastor. The photograph is damaged by staple and tack holes.

First Covenant Church (Tacoma); Confirmations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. The church was organized on April 29, 1894. In fifty years St. Paul's has baptized 820 people, married 625 couples, confirmed 440 and had 585 funerals. Reverend Arthur Sydow has been St. Paul's pastor for the past 25 years (T. Times, 4/29/44, p. 7). TPL-10079

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Anniversaries--Tacoma; St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

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;

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.

Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Spires--Tacoma; Safway Steel Scaffolding Co. (Tacoma); Scaffolding--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;

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;

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;

Group at First Baptist Church, Times, Dick Yost. William Anderson, a student at Stewart Junior High School, right, is pointing to a strategic point on the map of Palestine in this February 24, 1948 photograph. Looking on are, L-R, Glen Coe, Inez Jackson, Director of Mason Junior High robed choir, Suzanne Haskin, Robert Gray Junior High and E.T. Munz, counselor, First Baptist Church junior high fellowship. The junior high school students were in charge of providing music and the message at the evening services at First Baptist this week. (T.Times, 2/28/1948, p.3)

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Anderson, William; Coe, Glen; Jackson, Inez; Haskin, Suzanne; Baptist churches--Tacoma; Teenagers--1940-1950; Maps; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

First Lutheran Church, confirmation picture. A group of young people pose in white confirmation robes. The boys have suits and ties underneath the robes; the girls have corsages pinned to the robes.

First Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Confirmations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Pastor Louis Kephart ministers to his congregation at the new Who So Ever Will Come chapel on Pacific Avenue in June, 1953. The small storefront church appears packed with parishioners during the mid-afternoon service. Entire families, dressed in Sunday best, attentively listen to Rev. Kephart. This was the opening service at the church's new Pacific Avenue location. According to an advertisement in the June 6, 1953, News Tribune, the church believed and preached divine healing. They invited all to attend a Holy Ghost revival featuring evangelist R. James Vaughn on the evening of June 7th. (TNT 6-6-53, p. 7 - Ad)

Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Who So Ever Will Come (Tacoma); Kephart, Louis;

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;

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;