ca. 1934. First Methodist Church, general view of exterior. Heath and Gove, Architects, designed the building and it was dedicated in December of 1916. The original name was the First Methodist Episcopal Church; it was later renamed First United Methodist. The church was located at 5th and "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way.) It had a seating capacity of 1,150. The church was demolished in January of 2007.

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

ca. 1932. Epworth Methodist Church, circa 1932. The modified Gothic structure was built in 1926 from a design by George W. Bullard, architect, of tapestry brick with stone trim. (filed with Argentum)

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Asbury United Methodist Church in South Tacoma has been in existence for over one hundred years. Named after Francis Asbury, a Methodist circuit rider, it was first located at South 56th and Warner Street before the church building was moved, with horse and manpower, to its present location at South 56th and Puget Sound. In April, 1954, a new church building was officially opened by Bishop A. Raymond Grant. It had taken the church ten years of fund raising to build the new church. View of church's interior; red drapes and carpet blend beautifully with wooden beams, brick walls and wood trimmings. (History of Pierce County, p. 12-13, TNT 4-3-54, p. 6)

Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma;

The adult choir at Trinity Methodist Church. Ordered by Mrs. Sanderson. Reverend John P. Johnson was pastor at this time.

Trinity Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music);

Asbury Methodist Church Choir, Jan. 1938. Top row, left to right, Mrs. G.A. Reeves, Mrs. George Moffett, Mrs. Helen Buhl, Miss Jean Simpson, Arthur Wickens, Choir director, Rev. Rudolph Anderson, minister, Mrs. Florence Cooper, organist, Miss Faith Simpson, Mrs. Ondia Vargo, Miss Norma Garff. Standing row: Miss Virginia Huntsman, Frank B. Wickens, Clarence Benjamin, Claire Hanson, Neil Richardson, Cyril Hanson, Newton Wade, James Simpson and Mrs. Blanche Wagenblast. (T. Times 1/28/38 pg 3)

Methodist churches--Tacoma; Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Choirs (Music);

Orpheus Club members are shown post-concert at the First Methodist Church on December 9, 1952. The Orpheus Club, with more than fifty participants, was a male choir that performed in many concerts, including several at the First Methodist Church and was part of the massive collaboration of choirs in productions of Handel's "The Messiah." The December, 1952, concert featured soprano Gloria Marinacci, as guest artist. The Orpheans were directed by Ivan Rasmussen and Helen Nancy Congdon was the piano accompanist. (TNT 11-30-52, D-10)

Orpheus Club (Tacoma); Concerts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Choirs (Music); First Methodist 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;

A simple design graces the altar of the Asbury United Methodist Church; it apparently is made of wood and concrete block furnished by the Holroyd Co. There is a small cross on the top shelf flanked by two candlesticks. Lilies are placed in the two metallic vases below. A plaque showing hands praying is displayed on the altar's front.

Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Plaques--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of new Asbury United Methodist Church. The Holroyd Co., manufacturers of concrete blocks and other building materials, apparently were suppliers of materials used in building the new Asbury United Methodist Church on South 56th and Puget Sound. The church had been in existence since 1891; the entire building had been moved to its present location from South 56th and Warner Street nearby. In 1954 a new church building was constructed and the old one razed. Rev. Robert G. Albertson was the pastor at that time. View of church's interior facing the altar; wooden beams and interior wall are curved into arch shapes and there is a piano in the right portion of the photograph. Rows of folding chairs are empty and ready for parishioners; there are no pews.

Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

First Methodist Church, general view of exterior. Heath and Gove, Architects; 1916. (T. Times, Special Edition) [Also dated February, 1940]

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

The congregation of the Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church posed for a group portrait on November 27, 1955. A banner reading "Forward with Christ" is placed before them. There appear to be many young people in the congregation. Rev. Alpha H. Takagi was listed in the 1955 City Directory as pastor. The church underwent a name change to Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church in the 1960's but later closed in 1999 due to declining attendance. It had served Japanese-American families for more than 90 years, from its start in 1907 as a mission society for Japanese immigrants. The church was closed from 1942 to 1946 due to the war; membership increased following the reopening with the return of those in relocation camps. The University of Washington purchased the church and property in October, 1999, with plans to develop its Tacoma campus. (TNT 12-11-99, p. 1)

Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church (Tacoma); Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

The congregation of the Epworth Methodist Church stands between the street and the church site on the 800th block of North Pine St on April 9, 1922, following the Epworth Bible School Parade on Sixth Ave. They are possibly gathered near the site proposed for their new church, 710 So. Anderson. The completed church was dedicated in May of 1926. Prior to their new church, the congregation met at 702 So. Anderson, built in 1902. The original church has been demolished. TPL-7074,

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Members of the Epworth Methodist Church attend a retreat in the woods, possibly on Mount Rainier. To the right is a rough assembly hall and in the left background is a tent. Photograph is torn upper left. TPL-7075

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Mason Methodist Community House. By August of 1924, construction was underway at the new Mason Methodist Community House, a community hall, adjoining the church at 4008 North 28th St. Groundbreaking had occurred on May 20th. The new $25,000 hall, designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell, would be dedicated in November of 1924. TPL-495; G22.1-131 (TNT 5-22-24, p. 14-article on groundbreaking)

Mason Methodist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The cornerstone of the new Epworth Methodist Church was laid in ceremonies held on Sunday, May 17, 1925. The church congregation and friends gathered at the site of the new church at 710 South Anderson; the old church is in the background. The cornerstone was donated by Robert Walker of Walker Cut Stone who had given cornerstones for all the churches erected in Tacoma in recent years. The finished $90,000 Epworth Methodist was dedicated a year later in May of 1926. G22.1-128 (TNT 5-16-25, p. 14-article; TNT 5-18-25, p. 4)

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cornerstone laying--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1931. Trinity Episcopal Methodist Church, 601 E. 35th St., Tacoma. This McKinley Hill church was built in 1913 from a design by Heath & Gove, architects. In 1923, the McKinley Hill Improvement Club and the church worked together to add a community hall at this site. Bowen # CHU-005

ca. 1931. Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church, 5634 So. Park Ave., Tacoma. The church was built in 1925. Bowen # CHU-009

ca. 1931. Parkland Methodist Episcopal Church, 200 Wheeler St., Parkland. This Parkland area church was built in 1900 and remodeled in 1924. Bowen # CHU-011

ca. 1931. Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, 1901 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. Architect George W. Bullard designed this church that was built in 1929 by the Tuell Bro. contractors for the Japanese American community. It later became the Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church. It was deconsecrated in December of 1999 when it was purchased by the University of Washington. It was listed in 2003 as the Abbey Ballroom or the Abbey. Bowen # CHU-027

ca. 1931. This is the Scandinavian Pentecostal Mission at 1101 South J Street as pictured circa 1931. The church was dedicated in January of 1904 as the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. By 1931, the time of this picture, it was known as the Scandinavian Pentecostal Mission, as indicated by the sign over the door. In 1934, the church, by then known as Bethel Pentecostal, was damaged by fire. It was re-dedicated in 1941, after extensive remodeling and an addition. Bowen# CHU-039

ca. 1931. Central Methodist Church, 1953 So. I St., Tacoma. The church was dedicated on January 8, 1922 and stood at So. I and 21st St. The structure also housed Goodwill Industries. It has since been demolished. Bowen #CHU-045

ca. 1931. Le Sourd Methodist Episcopal Church, 1120 No. Stevens St., Tacoma. The Church was dedicated on March 25, 1917. It was located near the intersection of No. 12th & No. Stevens. Bowen #CHU-046

ca. 1931. Norwegian Danish Methodist Church, 1604 So. J St., Tacoma. The church was built around 1885. Bowen #CHU-050.

View of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Located at the corner of So. 43rd and So. "L," St. Paul's Methodist Church announced its Golden Jubilee celebration in 1940. A tent structure served as the church in 1890 until a permanent building was erected the following year; designed as a "lecture room and classroom," it was used as the church until a new building was completed in 1905. Through the years many improvements were made to the church property including new windows. Rev. Charles R. Davenport was listed as the pastor in the 1967 City Directory.

St. Paul's Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma;

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

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Children playing adults;

Children's mock wedding. Large group of young children dressed in tuxedos, wedding dresses, and formals posed for a portrait inside Epworth Methodist Church.

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Children playing adults;

Basketball teams at Bethany Methodist Church, Joe Darnell. The Mason Methodist basketball team placed 2nd in the City-Church league basketball playoffs on the YMCA floor. Manager Joe Darnell is in the dark shirt, holding the ball. Rev. J.J. Ellington is on the right, standing. Coach Al McCay was not able to join the team for this photograph. Names listed. (TNT, 3/28/1948, p. A-17)

Mason Methodist Church (Tacoma); Young Men's Christian Association (Tacoma); Darnell, Joe; Ellington, J.J.; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports; Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Hugh MacWhirter, Carman Knap Nordlund and Ernest Bates (L-R) sang the trio in the Saint-Saens "Christmas Oratorio" at the First Methodist Church's annual carol service in 1951. The church choir, directed by Fritz Berntsen, and other soloists would also take part in the performance. Ordered by Mr. Berntsen. (TNT, 12/23/1951, p.C-7)

Methodist churches--Tacoma; First Methodist Church (Tacoma); MacWhirter, Hugh; Nordlund, Carman Knap; Bates, Ernest; Singers;

Dressed in their Easter best, nine youngsters enjoy Sunday School on Easter Sunday 1939 at the First Methodist Church. Pictured in the back row, left to right, are Shirley Ann Rice, Mrs. Marvin Schafer, June Carolyn Gragg and Barbara Kallmeyer. Front row, l to r- John Schafer, Norman Stephenson, Billy Kister, Stuart Gloyd and David Hein. (T. Times 4/10/1939, pg. 3)

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

On October 4, 1939, a men's group at First Methodist Church served dinner. They proudly hold aloft dishes used and the remaining leftovers. (T. Times)

First Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Waiters--Tacoma--1930-1940;