The boys of Saint Patrick's beat Visitation, Holy Rosary, Sacred Heart, and Saint Leo's to win the Parochial Basketball League title in 1936. Only the last names of the players on St. Patrick's team were listed in the Tacoma Times when this photograph was published on March 13, 1936. They were: (l to r, standing) Burkehouse, Kroha, Haaker, King (the manager) and Giannelli; (l to r, seated) Weaver, Wonder, Realey and DesMaris.

Church schools--Tacoma; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma); Basketball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--1930-1940;

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. 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;

Bellarmine High School provided a Catholic education for boys. Father Henry J. Schultheis, S. J. was President of Bellarmine and Father J. C. Meckes, S. J. was Principal during this school year. View of Bellarmine High School students and teacher getting their class or club photo taken for the 1947 school yearbook, "The Cage". The photo was taken in the school library, a Bellarmine poster is on wall above books.

Priests--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Libraries--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Religious education--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;

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;

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);

Easter Sunday at various Tacoma churches. Worshipers gather on the steps of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 602 South 34th St, on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. St. Joseph's was built by its congregation members and dedicated in May of 1912. It was the first Slovak Catholic church built in the Northwest.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Easter--Tacoma;

Funeral Group taken at Calvary Cemetery - Mrs. John S. Shaenes/Sharnes re John Sharnes, 1136 Cedar St., Raymond, Washington. (filed with Argentum)

Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Funeral rites & ceremonies;

On April 18, 1941, Bobby Gosselin and John Comfort, students at St. Patrick's Parochial School, were putting the finishing touches on their entries in the 6th annual Rotary Club Hobby Show, to be held at the Winthrop Hotel April 26th. The boy at the left (probably Bobby Gosselin) was hard at work finishing a handcrafted chair. The boy at the right was using a wood lathe to make a wooden plate or tray. The contest was open to all Tacoma students 18 and under. Prizes were given in numerous hobby classifications, including model making, stamp collection, handicrafts and nature study. (T. Times 4/21/1941, pg. 2)

Church schools--Tacoma; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma); Rotary Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Boys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gosselin, Bobby; Comfort, John;

On the morning of September 2, 1941, guests wait outside of St. Patrick's Catholic Church for the newly wedded couple Anne Louise Greiwe and Lt. John William Winship to exit the church on their way to the reception at the bride's parents' home. The couple had been married that morning by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor William J. Noonan before 200 friends and family. A week later, September 9th, the McChord Douglas B-18 bomber that the bridegroom was co-piloting crashed into the side of Mount Constance on the Olympic Peninsula on a night training flight. Everyone on board was killed instantly. (T. Times 9/2/1941, pg. 7)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Greiwe, Anne Louise--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

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;

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);

Exterior view of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Fife. In this photograph taken from across the street on August 26, 1950, are the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, church rectory, and what appears to be a small shrine in between. The T-shaped building was completed in late 1947. Photograph commissioned by architectural firm of Lance, McGuire & Muri.

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

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;

Father Martin Duggan was honored by his parish at Holy Cross Church on his 25th anniversary as a priest. He is seen here, second from the right, surrounded by well-wishers, near the table set for cake and coffee. Silver tea and coffee service as well as candelabra decorate the table and a four-tiered cake is ready to be cut. Ordered by Liberal Engraving Company, Joe Lovely.

Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Duggan, Martin J.; Priests--Tacoma; Anniversaries--Tacoma; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Holy Cross Church presented a new automobile to Father Martin Duggan for his 25th anniversary as a priest. The automobile came complete with virtually every accessory possible. Jim McMenamin, chairman of the silver jubilee committee, hands Father Duggan the keys while members of the congregation look on. Ordered by Liberal Engraving Company, Joe Lovely. (TNT, 5/9/1950, p.19)

Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Duggan, Martin J.; Priests--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; McMenamin, James H.;

Visitation School 1950 graduation class. The Rev. Gabriel Donohue, O.S.B., pastor of the Visitation church presented the diplomas and awards. Rev. Francis E. Duffy, S.J., principal of Bellarmine High School, delivered the commencement address. Donna Mae Woolery was the student speaker. The Chantal Choralers performed. Ordered by Sister Rosewitha. Names were listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.19)

Church schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Altars--Tacoma; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); School of the Visitation (Tacoma);

Tacoma Ave S looking south towards St. Joseph's Catholic Church. This photograph was taken on August 9, 1950, near Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way) and the Holy Rosary Church. It apparently depicts the vicinity of an accident and was commissioned by Gail Haddock, attorney, 510 Perkins Building.

Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma); Streets--Tacoma;

Attorney Gail Haddock, 510 Perkins Building, commissioned a series of photographs depicting a scene of an accident. The accident apparently occurred near Holy Rosary Church, shown on the far right, and Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way). This view shows the steepness of the hill near the church.

Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma); Streets--Tacoma;

This photograph of Lorna Royer, sitting on a window sill at St. Patrick School with her collection of stuffed animals, was taken in 1941. St. Patrick School was built at 1105 No. J Street in 1919. The building was demolished in 1992.

Church schools--Tacoma; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma); Rotary Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Stuffed animals (Toys); Royer, Lorna;

On May 27, 1941, the Holy Rosary Softball team posed in front of their school at 502 S. 30th St. with a banner proclaiming them to be the Champions of the Parochial School Boys Softball League. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Thomas Brady, William Kropf, Edward Graisy, Thomas Commontos (Capt.), Jerome Patnode, John Harrington and Edward Carreau. Back row, left to right, Edward Archbold, Gerald Knelleken, James McGoffin, Daniel Jacques, Roy Coon, George McCaffrey, Paul Herbert and Harley Buechler. (T. Times 6/5/1941, pg. 17)

Holy Rosary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards; Softball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Softball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

First Communion, St. Joseph's Church, Father Joe. Four girls and ten boys pose for their group portrait with two nuns from St. Joseph's Church. The girls wear white dresses with lots of ruffles and white headdresses. The boys wear white shirts and bow ties and hold their hands in front of themselves. Several of the children hold their rosary beads.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Communion; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children & adults--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;

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);

This photograph of the interior of Visitation Church, 3318 So. 58th St., was taken on January 22, 1948. The sanctuary is filled with scaffolding to the top of the interior arches to make it ready for painting. Two unidentified man at the left watch as workmen from the Safway Steel Scaffolding Company build the complicated gridwork. The church was founded in 1892 and this building was dedicated in 1913. The architect was C. Frank Mahon. The churches stained glass windows are visible on both sides of the pews.

Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Interiors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scaffolding--Tacoma--1940-1950; Safway Steel Scaffolding Co. (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.

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altarpieces--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Vaults (Architecture)--Tacoma; Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma);

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;

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;

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);