ca. 1979. Roofline of St. Leo's Catholic Church, 1301 Yakima Ave. So., circa 1979 from 13th St. In the background is St. Leo's School, 1323 Yakima Ave. So., occupied in 1979 by the Tacoma Actors Guild.

St. Leos Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; St. Leos Parochial School (Tacoma);

ca. 1979. St. Leo's Catholic Church, ca. 1979.

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

ca. 1979. Roofline of St. Leo's Catholic Church, 1301 Yakima Ave. So., circa 1979.

St. Leos Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle, posed with the large confirmation class at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church on March 20, 1974. The 23 boys wore red gowns with white sashes while the 32 girls wore white gowns with red sashes. Color photograph ordered by St. Martin of Tours Parish.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Catholic churches--Fife; Rites & ceremonies--Fife; Confirmations--Fife; Connolly, Thomas A.;

Christmas decorations at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Parishioners attending December services at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 602 So. 34th St., would have been able to view the above Nativity scene where a joyous baby Jesus lay in his manger observed by praying kings, shepherds and his family. The painted figures, either plaster or ceramic, formed a beautiful creche. Color photograph ordered by St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Christmas decorations;

These 31 children, hands clasped in prayer, are preparing for their first Holy Communion at St. Martin of Tours in Fife. All are wearing white gowns with yellow trim and the girls all have veils. Most look solemnly at the camera although a few have shy grins. Color photograph ordered by St. Martin of Tours.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Catholic churches--Fife; Rites & ceremonies--Fife; Communion;

Large confirmation class at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Fife. 23 boys and 30 girls posed in red and white robes on October 12, 1969, in the church. Religious leader in robes has been identified by St. Martin of Tours Church as Bishop Thomas Gill. Color photograph ordered by St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Rites & ceremonies--Fife; Confirmations--Fife; Gill, Thomas;

36 joyful children pose at St. Martin of Tours on Sunday, May 6, 1968. They appear ready for First Communion as the little girls are wearing veils and all children are dressed in gold and white robes.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Catholic churches--Fife; Rites & ceremonies--Fife; Communion;

On January 9, 1968, official paperwork was signed at the Church of the Holy Communion, making the Church's parish house at 1407 So. I St. the home of the Hilltop Day Care Center. The Center started operation in mid-January, supplying needed child care to low-income parents. It was sponsored by the church and the Hilltop Multi-Service Center and operated Monday through Fridays. It had room for 37 children. The Episcopalian minister on the far right is Rev. E.O. Winckley, the pastor of the church. The woman in the middle of photograph wearing a broach is the director, Mrs. Janabea Gamell; the other woman is unidentified. The man standing is Herman Walker, head of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 12-27-67, A-5, TNT 1-13-68, p. 20)

Church of the Holy Communion (Tacoma); Document signings--Tacoma; Winckley, E.O.; Clergy--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gamell, Janabea; Walker, Herman; African Americans--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hilltop Community Child Day Care Center (Tacoma);

ca. 1960. Exterior of St. Patrick's Church. Designed by architect Frederick Heath, the French Gothic-styled church celebrated its first services on Christmas, 1906. The church was dedicated on June 30, 1907. View of the massive stone building shows a crowd of people milling around the open doors; this spring, 1960, photograph was probably taken at one of the many weddings which occurred on its premises.

St. Patricks Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

Interior and exterior exposures of St. Charles Borromeo Church and buildings were taken on September 8, 1958. This view has been identified by a reader as the front hall/entryway of St. Charles Borromeo School. There is a large statue of St. Joseph holding a small child on the left. Trophy and display cases now flank the statue today. Over 200 children, up to the sixth grade, were enrolled in the new school taught by Franciscan sisters.The church sanctuary, school, parish hall, gym, convent and rectory may have been completed in 1958. The church building was finished in 1969. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Church. (TNT 9-20-58, p. 4) (Additional information provided by a reader)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma;

Modest altar - St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. The new church had an enormous sanctuary; this September 8, 1958, photograph has been identified by a reader as in all likelihood the chapel in the convent. There were several pews and a wood-based altar. Vertical shutters were slightly opened, allowing light from the stained glass windows to enter. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pews--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Sanctuary at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. A new parish was formed to serve the people of the city's west end and bridge area; St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church had its first buildings completed in 1958. It was dedicated that year by the Archbishop of Seattle. View of large, wood-enhanced sanctuary shows arched beams, rows of pews and two statues of Mary and the Sacred Heart flanking the altar. Archibishop of Seattle, Thomas A. Connolly, dedicated the rectory, school, and convent on September 21, 1958. The school gym was used as the church at this time since the church was not yet finished. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. (TNT 9-20-58, p. 4)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pews--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma;

This is believed to be the Rev. Martin J. Duggan, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Father Duggan had celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1950. He is dressed in special vestments which appear to be made of brocade. Six tall candles and candelabra are on the altar behind the pastor with a large cross hanging above. Sepia photograph ordered by Holy Cross Church.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Exterior of Holy Cross Catholic Church. The exterior of the new Holy Cross Catholic Church was photographed near Thanksgiving, 1957. The large church appears to be nearly completed, including tower with cross and arched windows, although the landscaping is yet to be done. Several piles of bricks are undercover, protected from the rain, as they might be necessary to extend the brick border in front of the pillars. Mill & Associates were the architects involved in the project; the contractors were the Jardeen Brothers. The new $250,000 church would be dedicated by the Archbishop of Seattle, the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly on December 2, 1957. The Sacrament would be carried in a procession by clergy and laymen from the old Holy Cross Church at No. 43rd and Shirley around the corner to the new church building after the final Mass in the old location. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 12-1-57, C-12)

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma);

A new Aquinas Academy rose on the site of the former girls' school in 1957. A workman is shown on August 28, 1957, smoothing down a concrete walkway in front of the modern pre-fabricated concrete building. The original Aquinas Academy opened in Tacoma under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Dominic in 1899. The school was razed in October, 1955, and a new school with facilities for 400 students was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. The new Aquinas was dedicated on October 27, 1957, by Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly. The three-story building had 10 classrooms, a library, two science laboratories, a home economics room, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. It was built at a cost of $656,000. 1112 North "G" St. is now the site of the Saint Patrick School. When Aquinas vacated the building in 1974 to consolidate with Bellarmine and Saint Leo's as Bellarmine, Saint Patrick School left their 55-year-old building at North 11th & "J" and moved down the hill to occupy the newer Aquinas structure. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 10-27-57, B-8; www.saintpats.org) ) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma);

Copy of a customer's print, McGuire & Muri, Architects; artist's rendering of the St Mary's Parish Church & Parrish Hall, Seaview, Wa.

Catholic churches--Seaview, Wa.;

A special mass is celebrated at St. Ann's Catholic Church honoring the Rev. J. F. Milner on the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle, presided. Milner was born in Dunmanway, County Cork, and studied for the priesthood in Ireland. He was ordained All Hallows June 22, 1930 at 23 years of age. He was named pastor of St. Anns in 1943. Under his direction, many improvements were made in the church and parish hall. The new school and convent were nearing completion at the time of his Silver Jubilee. (TNT 6/25/1955, pg. 4)

St. Ann's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Milner, J.F.;

Interior of the main worship area at the dedication of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church, photograph ordered by the Catholic Northwest Progress. The new church was consecrated in special ceremonies and services on March 19 & 20, 1955. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle, consecrated the church's main altar on Saturday, March 19th. He assisted in the blessing and laying of the cornerstone. Following that ceremony, the parishioners entered their new church for services. The new church could seat 700. The Architectural firm of McGuire and Muri designed the building; the builder was Strom Construction. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

Sacred Heart Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

Dedication of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church, photograph ordered by the Catholic Northwest Progress. Prior to entering the church, the parishioners were invited to observe the blessing and laying of the cornerstone by the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle. The new church and rectory were built of reinforced concrete with brick facing at a cost of $316,000. The church also had a convent and parochial school, run by the Sisters of Providence, on the grounds. In 1955, the parish had 600 families and the school had 376 pupils. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

Sacred Heart Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

Sacred Heart Church, photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. The church also had an attached convent for the Sisters of Providence and a school run by the Sisters. The parish started in 1913 with 35 families. The school was built in 1924 and opened with 103 pupils. By 1955, the parish encompassed 600 families and the school enrollment was 376 pupils. The new church and rectory replaced the old church at 46th & McKinley built in 1914. The new church was built of reinforced concrete with brick facing at a total cost, excluding furnishings, of $316, 000. Architects were McGuire and Muri. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

Sacred Heart Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

A procession of priests stride along a brilliantly sunlit sidewalk on the way to a young priest's first solemn high mass. The mass will occur on May 16, 1954, at the Church of the Visitation on South 58th St. Some of the priests hold their hands together in a prayer position. The priest in the middle is wearing a dark cassock while two in front wear surplices. A few church parishioners watch and wait. Photograph ordered by the Rev. Gabriel Donohue.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Church of the Visitation in South Tacoma is full as parishioners and guests observe the first solemn high mass sung by a recently ordained young priest on May 16, 1954. All attention is focused on the activity at the altar. The Rev. Timothy Lamm, 26, was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at St. James Cathedral in Seattle the day before. Father Timothy was one of three Benedictine monks from St. Martin's to be ordained that day. This elevated view of the altar, church dignitaries, and kneeling crowd was taken from the back of the church, perhaps a choir loft. Photograph ordered by the Rev. Gabriel Donohue. (TNT 5-13-54, A-10)

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); Altars--Tacoma;

A proud moment in the life of a newly ordained priest is captured in a May 16, 1954, photograph. A celebratory banquet in his honor is being held with family members as special guests. The Rev. Timothy Lamm, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. David J. Lamm, Sr. of Puyallup, had just conducted his first solemn high mass at Church of the Visitation. Father Timothy, a Benedictine monk, had been ordained the day before in St. James Cathedral, Seattle. He was valedictorian of his 1950 graduation class at St. Martin's College and later studied theology at Mt. Angel Abbey, Oregon. From left to right in the photograph are: Mary Lamm, Mrs. Laurence Thielen, Sister Mary Alita, Mrs. David Lamm, Sr., Father Timothy Lamm, O.S.B., David J. Lamm, Sr., Sister Ruthella, Frank and Raymond Lamm. Photograph ordered by the Rev. Gabriel Donohue. (TNT 5-13-54, A-10, TNT 6-6-54, B-4))

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lamm, Timothy; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Father Anthony Baffaro, pastor of St. Rita's Catholic Church, stands on the church steps with his confirmation class on April 12, 1953. The boys in the group, some in uniform, have been placed in front of the veiled girls in white. St. Rita's was founded by Italian immigrants; built in 1924 in the Mediterranean style, it was placed on the National Registry. Its parish priest, Fr. Anthony Baffaro, was the youngest Jesuit priest in history. He was very involved in encouraging youth activities in the church and organized a church baseball team. Fr. Baffaro died on February 17, 1979, after serving his parish since September, 1948. Photograph ordered by Fr. Baffaro. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 3, p. 87)

St. Rita's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Confirmations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baffaro, Anthony;

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;

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;

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;