Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, pastor of the Angelus Temple in Los Angeles and founder of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, paid a one-day visit to Tacoma on January 21, 1934, as part of a debating tour of the west. She was pictured gesturing while holding an open book and accompanied by fellow debater, Dr. Charles Lee Smith, president of the American Association for Advancement of Atheism. Dr. Smith and Mrs. McPherson debated on the subject, "There is No God." More than 1,000 people were in attendance at the Greenwich Coliseum at 407 South 13th Street to hear the debate. (TDL 1-21-34, A-2-article; TDL 1-22-34, p. 2-article)

ca. 1931. International Bible Students Association (I.B.S.A.), 804 No. State St., Tacoma. This structure was built around 1908 and originally served as the Friends Church. In 1931, it was listed in the City Directory as the I.B.S.A. Tabernacle. Bowen #CHU-034

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. 1937. Independent Bible Church, circa 1937. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Bible Church (Tacoma);

The Assembly of God Church at 1121 So. G St. (now Altheimer St.) is filled with families attending a youth rally. The Tacoma church was founded in 1918 by Rev. Frank Gray. Today, as First Assembly of God Life Center at 1717 So. Union Ave., it has one of the largest congregations in Tacoma. The building in this photograph was designed by Silas E. Nelsen, architect, and dedicated in 1926. It is now the Altheimer Memorial Church of God in Christ. TPL-6397

Assembly of God (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma; Religious meetings; Audiences--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Balconies--Tacoma; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Assembly of God was hosting a United Full-Gospel Fellowship Rally, Reverend Walter McAllister was the guest speaker. The rally would include eleven churches and eleven pastors, community Christian discussions with worship services and growing revivals. View of participating people in the auditorium of the First Christian Church, the balcony and ground level pews are filled up, stained glass in background (T. Times, 5/29/48, p. 3).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Religion; Assembly of God (Tacoma); First Christian Church (Tacoma);

Assembly of God was inviting all interested individuals to hear G. B. McDowell, evangelist and Paul Glover, singer, to their great pentecostal rally. Some of the subjects that would be covered included: "The Bannisters That Need To Be Built", "The Paralyzed Soul", and "What Will Bring America Back To God?". View of First Christian Church auditorium, balcony and main level are filled up, stained glass in background (T. Times, 5/29/48, p. 3).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Religion; Assembly of God (Tacoma); First Christian Church (Tacoma);

This photograph from January, 1951 shows one of the churches designed by the architectural firm of Heath & Twichell in Tacoma during the early years of the 20th Century. Built in 1909 as the Swedish Mission Tabernacle, for many years it was home to the First Covenant Church. The two-story, Italianate-style brick church is one of the few non-residental buildings designed by Heath & Twichell that has survived. Today it is home to the Sure House Open Bible Church. Pilasters lead to pediments at the roof-line. The upper portion of the building appears to have been covered with metal sheathing. Ordered by Reverend R. L. Erickson. TPL-8338

First Covenant Church (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma;

Interior shot from the front of Lincoln Park Christian Church, 3834 So. G St., showing 152 auditorium chairs distributed by Northern School Supply of Portland, Oregon. In 1950, the church had been at its present location for 40 years, established 4/3/1910 with 67 charter members. The basement was built in 1910 and the church met there for ten years, until 1920 when plans were drawn up to complete the church for a cost of $32,000. The interior of the brick building was plaster finish with natural color fir woodwork and art glass windows.

Lincoln Park Christian Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma; Chairs;

The interior of the Unity Church of Tacoma. The congregation is listening to their pastor standing beside the podium that has been decorated with potted plants. Members of the congregation are seated on folding chairs so the space can be used for other purposes.

Unity Church of Tacoma (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma; Clergy--Tacoma--1950-1960;