Pageant at Central Lutheran Church, for Mr. Stine. From the costumes and the date of the picture, this was most likely a nativity pageant. (WSHS)

Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pageants--1930-1940; Theatrical productions--1930-1940;

Holroyd Company, Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A view of the new sanctuary of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Open beams are shown with a wooden ceiling beyond. The altar stands against the far wall. The interior of the church was photographed on February 1, 1949.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Ceilings--Tacoma;

In January of 1950, 33 inches of snow fell in Tacoma and the average temperature was 28.4 degrees F. By February 2nd the water in Gig Harbor yacht basin had frozen into ice five inches thick. The Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 101 E. 38th St. was feeling the chill. They hired Ellwood C. Karst and Robert E. Patterson, owners of the Home Insulation Company, to blow rock wool insulation into the church. This photograph was taken on February 2, 1950.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Home Insulation Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In July of 1949 contractor Bob Joshlin brought in a 120-foot crane from Northwest Hauling Company to remove the tower from the Central Lutheran Church. The church at 1001 South G was built in 1889 as the First Presbyterian Church. The tower had been condemned due to deterioration during its 50-year watch over downtown Tacoma. The church was demolished in 1955. (TNT, 7/15/1949, p.1) TPL-4455

Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Bell towers--Tacoma; Steeples; Hoisting machinery; Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma);

The choir stands in front of the pipe organ at Central Lutheran Church.

Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Organs;

A sepia photograph of the Central Lutheran Church choir was taken in the church's choir loft on March 15, 1953. They would be presenting "Seven Last Words", a cantata by Dubois, on Good Friday. Rev. Rueben H. Redal, pastor, is believed to be in the front row, on the left, with director Wilbur Arnold at his side. Central Lutheran, located at 1001 South "G" Street, apparently had a massive organ; there is a large cross placed on the front of the pipes. First Presbyterian Church was dedicated at that site in 1890; Central Lutheran established residency there in the 1930's. (TNT 3-29-53, D-11)

Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Organ lofts--Tacoma; Organs;

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;

The Tabitha Society of the First Lutheran Church gave a tea April 1, 1948, in honor of the women in their congregation that were over 80 years old.. Corsages were given to the guests of honor. L-R, seated, are Ira Norling, Hanna Leif, and Hilda Anderson; standing, Marie Swanson, Minnie Ostberg, Anna C. Bloom, Hilma Johnson and Ida C. Melin. Photo taken for Mrs. Hosmer, News Tribune. (TNT, 4/5/1948, p.5)

First Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Tabitha Society (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aged persons--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Central Lutheran Church was founded in 1925, the church was an active member of the Tacoma community, during World War II they set up a Lutheran Center for Servicemen. They were expecting a large turnout for this year's Easter Services. Interior view of Central Lutheran Church, the Choir is on the altar and in front of a large pipe organ, getting ready to sing their Easter music.

Easter--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Religious services--Tacoma; Organs; Crosses; Altars--Tacoma; Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

Mary Elizabeth Thaut died at the age of 63. She was a native from Russia and first lived in Dallas, Oregon, she spent her last 35 years in Tacoma. The services were organized by Cassedy and Allen at Evangelical Lutheran Church. Cassedy & Allen casket pictures of Mary Elizabeth Thaut.

Thaut, Mary Elizabeth, 1883-1946--Death & burial; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Religious articles; Bouquets; Cassedy & Allen Mortuary (Tacoma); Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

First Lutheran Church, mortgage burning. The pastor and five men look on as a woman holds the burning paper. Two of the men stand ready with a tray to catch the paper when she can no longer hold it. Construction on the building was begun in 1925. L-R, Donald Lindeman, representing service man and woman; C.O. Lynn, chairman, Board of Trustees; Caroline (Mrs. Gustave) Lindberg, church member since 1889, representing women; Rev. Carl E. Rydell, pastor; B.B. Bartels, board member for many years; Edward Young, builder of church and congregation officer for many years; and Wilbur N. Nelson, treasurer. (T.Times, 1/28/1946, p.2)

First Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Lindeman, Donald; Lynn, C. O.; Lindberg, Caroline; Rydell, Carl E.; Bartels, B. B.; Young, Edward; Nelson, Wilbur N.; Mortgages;

Robert E. Hutchins Funeral. Aviation cadet Robert E. Hutchins, age 20, was killed in a mid-air plane crash 12 miles north of Merced, California. His casket at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland is surounded by flowers, several of which depict the medals Cadet Hutchins won during the war. The one to the left of the casket resembles the Army Distinquished Service Cross, the two on the right resemble the Silver Star, given for galantry in action. (T.Times, 5/19/1945, p.1; 5/21/45, p.11)

Hutchins, Robert E.; World War, 1939-1945--Casualties--Tacoma; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);

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);

Confirmation picture, First Lutheran Church.

First Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Confirmations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wedding of Nadellia Weglin and Throne J. Eggan at Luther Memorial Church. Bridal party at altar. Rose window was a gift to the church from the architect Emanuel J. Bresemann and his siblings in memory of their mother, Bertha. The church was also known as St. John's English Lutheran Church.

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Weglin, Nadellia--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Leaded glass windows--Tacoma;

Wedding of Nadellia Weglin and Throne J. Eggan at Luther Memorial Church. Bridal party at altar in this September 22, 1942 photograph. Rose window was a gift to the church from the architect Emanuel J. Bresemann and his siblings in memory of their mother, Bertha.

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Weglin, Nadellia--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Leaded glass windows--Tacoma;

1942 Wedding of Nadellia Weglin and Throne J. Eggan at Luther Memorial Church. Bridal signs licence as groom and others look on.

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Weglin, Nadellia--Marriage; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Eggan, Throne J.; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Clergy--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wedding of Nadellia Weglin and Throne J. Eggan at Luther Memorial Church. Bridal party on church steps. Building by Emanuel J. Bresemann and Marinus Durfee, Architects: 1910.

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Weglin, Nadellia--Marriage; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Eggan, Throne J.; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950;

Wedding of Nadellia Weglin and Throne J. Eggan at Luther Memorial Church. Bride and groom in front of church. Building by Emanuel J. Bresemann and Marinus Durfee, Architects: 1910.

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Weglin, Nadellia--Marriage; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Eggan, Throne J.; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950;

On October 17, 1942, the First Lutheran Church at 6th and I St. celebrated the 60th anniversary of that organization with a special banquet, followed by a special service and a reception in the church parlor on Sunday. Present were some of the 13 parishioners whose membership dated back 50 years or more. Five long term members are pictured around a table. Seated is Mrs. Gustaf Lindberg and standing, left to right, are John Kellson, Marie (Mrs. John) Hedberg, Mrs Olaf Bloom and John Hedberg. (T. Times 10/19/1942, pg. 14)

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

Two ministers and another man pose on the 60th anniversary, October 17, 1942, of the First Lutheran Church. Rev. Carl E. Rydell was the current minister, although many of the previous church ministers as well as church officials attended the festivities. The church was organized October 17, 1882 as a missionary enterprise by the Rev. Peter Carlson. Its original members were Swedish and Norwegian, although the Norwegians later left to form their own church. It was the first congregation of Swedish speaking people to be organized in Washington.

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

On October 17, 1942, the congregation of the First Lutheran Church posed in front of the exterior of the church, celebrating the congregation's 60th anniversary. The church had been organized on October 17, 1882 as a small missionary enterprise by the Rev. Peter Carlson and eleven Swedish and five Norwegian families. The Norwegians later left to form their own church. The original church at South 8th and I St. burned to the ground in November of 1924. This Gothic stone structure was completed in 1929 and was built from a design by Heath, Gove & Bell. (TNT 10/17/1942, pg. 11)

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

Luther Memorial Church, 50th Anniversary service. The English Gothic church at So. 5th and I St. marked its Golden Anniversary on Sunday, October 26th, 1941. The church was officially organized on June 7, 1891 in a W.C.T.U. hall, but the first service was held February 13th in a dance hall. The group was originally called the Zion's English Lutheran Church. The pictured site was purchased in 1892 for $3500. The church was a pioneer in the sparsely settled district. The building, designed by Emanuel J.Bresemann and Marinus Durfee, Architects, was completed in 1910 and dedicated as Saint John's English Lutheran Church; it was later renamed Luther Memorial. The church held its final service after 112 years on November 9th, 2003; the building was sold to Multicare. (T. Times. 10/23/1941, pg. 12)

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma);

Interior of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church showing Reverend Harold H. Engelbrecht at altar. Building built as Zion German Evangelical Lutheran in 1908, H. Crosley, Architect. After 16 years at the pulpit, Rev. Engelbrecht was leaving Tacoma to join the staff at the Lutheran University in Indiana. He came to Tacoma in 1925, after five years with a church in Puyallup. He co-founded Concordia Lutheran School and served the school in its early years in many capacities. (T. Times 10/14/1941, pg. 18)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Engelbrecht, Harold H.; Clergy--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Group of young men and women at Zion Lutheran Church during congregation's Golden Anniversary circa 1940. Margaret Evelyn Paul, about 16 at this time, has been identified as being seated in the first row, fourth from right. Her sister, Mildred Paul, is in the top row, second from the left. Building built as Zion German Evangelical Lutheran in 1908, H. Crosley, Architect. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Paul, Margaret Evelyn; Paul, Mildred;

ca. 1940. Zion Lutheran Church Golden Anniversary. People standing in front of altar, possibly choir. Building built as Zion German Evangelical Lutheran in 1908, H. Crosley, Architect.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Altars--Tacoma;

ca. 1940. Group of women at Zion Lutheran Church during congregation's Golden Anniversary. Building built as Zion German Evangelical Lutheran in 1908, H. Crosley, Architect. Man at far right, second row is possibly pastor Harold H. Engelbrecht.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Confirmation Class at Luther Memorial Church on May 12, 1940. Seven boys and nine girls pose with Rev. Kettner in front of altar. Building by Emanuel J. Bresemann and Marinus Durfee, Architects, 1910, and originally known as St. John's English Lutheran Church. (filed with Argentum)

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Confirmations--Tacoma;

First Lutheran Church, taken in April of 1936. General view of brick church by Heath, Gove and Bell, Architects. Construction on the church began in 1925 with the church completed in 1929. Photograph is also numbered D2519 image 11. (photo copied for T. Times, Special Edition Jan or Feb of 1940)

Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; First Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

Messiah Lutheran Church Junior choir. Thirty youngsters were photographed wearing robes in church. The choir performed under the direction of Margaret Rorem. Building built as First Norwegian Lutheran in 1891, C.S. Torkelson, Architect. Building is now home to Shiloh Baptist Church. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 3/23/1939, pg. 2)

Messiah Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940;