ca. 1930. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4845 So. L St., Tacoma. Built in 1892 and remodeled in 1922.

ca. 1931. First United Presbyterian Church, 1619 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma. This Gothic Spanish style church was built in 1922. It was designed by Frederic & Stanley Shaw, Architects. It was dedicated October 28, 1923. After a merger in 1958, it was known as Trinity United Presbyterian Church; now known as Trinity Presbyterian Church. Bowen #CHU-033

Wedding of Bessie Bryan and R. J. Cerveny at First Presbyterian Church. Bride and groom stand in front of building.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Bryan, Bessie--Marriage; Cerveny, R.J.;

Wedding of Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) Wetherby and Connor E. Gray, Jr. in the Ferguson Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church. The bride is pictured in her wedding gown of white net over satin. It has a sweetheart neckline. She is wearing a bonnet of pleated and shirred net with an attached fingertip veil. The new wedded couple made their home in Seattle. (T. Times 7/14/1941, pg. 7; 7/12/1941, pg. 4)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wetherby, Margaret Elizabeth--Marriage;

The kitchen at the First Presbyterian Church has been recently remodeled. The new stainless steel surfaces on the ovens, stove, sinks and counter tops are gleaming as are the exteriors of the large coffee urns on the right. Large windows are seen on the right. Wooden tables have been added in a row along the middle of the long kitchen providing ample space for large amounts of food to be prepared. (TNT, 1/13/1952, p.C-15) TPL-2267

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Scenes from Easter Sunday service at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So. The beautiful Romanesque church was designed by local architects Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, with consultation by renowned church designers Cram and Ferguson of Boston. This picture shows the choir loft backed by stained glass windows. Arches at the ceiling level accent the choir alcove. Easter lilies bedeck the altar.

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Easter--Tacoma;

Crowds at the Easter Sunday service at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So. This lovely Romanesque church has been a Tacoma landmark since 1925. Arched and circular windows shine daylight into the church. Large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling help light the immense structure. The church has both balcony and ground floor seating and seems to be full this Easter Sunday.

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Easter--Tacoma;

The First Presbyterian Church, at Division and Tacoma Avenue South, was designed by Ralph Adams Cram of Boston, famous architect of churches and authority in ecclesiastical symbolism. This lovely red brick Romanesque structure was built in 1924 and dedicated on September 20, 1925. By 1926, the church claimed 2,200 members. The church design is heavy with religious symbolism carved in stone, wood and metal, including its ornate dome with ancient Christian symbols and figures. The original construction cost was $500,000. It is on the Tacoma Register of Historic Buildings.

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

ca. 1956. First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir. The First Presbyterian church was located at Division Ave. and Tacoma Ave. South. They would be presenting A.R. Gaul's "Holy City" under the direction of director Gerald Faber. Choir members are Front row: Mary Anderson, Sally Yoder, Mrs. George Gelderman, Mrs. Jeanette Arnett, Hetty Fikse, Kris Powell, Jane Carpenter, Mrs. Louis Moir, Allene La Bauer. Second row: Mrs. Selmer Thorpe, Irene (Mrs. Ernest) Hopp, Mary K. Anderson, Gloria (Mrs. Don) Pearson, Myra (Mrs. William) Berg, Mrs. Frank Kidd, Arlene (Mrs. John) Stenger, Dianne Kludt, Gen (Mrs. Nels) Anderson, Donna Kludt, Miriam (Mrs. Neil) Buchholtz. Back row: Floyd Levee, E. Z. Fredricks, Bob Gee, John E. Davis, Al Pena, Neil Buchholtz, Robert Williams, Ernest Williams, Don Van Volkenburg, Curtis Schon, Nels Anderson, Gerald Faber-director. (TNT 6/24/1956, pg. D-12)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Choirs (Music);

ca. 1926. View of a covered brick walkway at the First Presbyterian Church, ca. 1926. The Romanesque church was built from a design submitted by Ralph Adams Cram, founder of the architectural firm of Cram & Ferguson in Boston. The firm was the most famous designer of churches in the country. The church was designed around a courtyard with a pillared colonnade separating the portions of the church. The brick courtyard with its stone benches can be seen to the left of the walkway. (WSHS)

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

Exterior of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Russell and Babcock, Architects, 1909. Nativity scene, said to be a favorite of young kidnap and murder victim Charles Mattson. Taken in connection with the unsolved Mattson kidnapping case. (photograph T. Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

ca. 1938. The First Presbyterian Church, showing its large stained glass window and dome. This lovely Romanesque red brick church was dedicated in September of 1925 and is on the Tacoma City Registry. It was designed by noted architect of churches Ralph Adams Cram, of Cram and Ferguson of Boston. The structure reflects Cram's interest in ecclesiastical symbolism. The design is heavy with religious symbols carved in stone, wood and metal, including its ornate dome with ancient Christian symbols and figures.

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

ca. 1938. Choir of the First Presbyterian Church, exterior view.

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music);

First Presbyterian Church, artistic view of exterior with clouds overhead and automobile parked by grassy island across from church.. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. (T.Times, Spring Edition)

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

First Presbyterian Church, artistic view of exterior with clouds overhead and automobile parked by grassy island across from church.. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. (T.Times, Spring Edition)

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

Antique exhibit committee at the home of Mrs. Lincoln (Lulu) Gault. Three women in period costume, one serving tea, another holding a fan. The committee is planning a large collection and antique exhibit to be held the following Friday at the Stone Hall of the First Presbyterian Church. (T .Times, Society, for Mrs. Brady)

Gault, Lincoln--Homes & haunts; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Eating & drinking--Tea; Tea parties; Teapots; Committees--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Four women from the Circle B First Presbyterian Planning Committee pose at the home of Mrs. Lincoln (Lulu) Gault. (enlarged and cropped version of A7076 image 4) The women are, left to right, Elizabeth (Mrs. James) Mellinger, Kathryn (Mrs. LeRoy) Baker, Jean (Mrs. L. W.) Wuerch and Elizabeth (Mrs. Melvin) Voorhees Jr. ( T. Times 2/12/1938, pg. 6)

Gault, Lincoln--Homes & haunts; Mellinger, Elizabeth; Baker, Kathryn; Wuerch, Jean; Voorhees, Elizabeth; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Committees--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Easter morning, March 28, 1937, at the First Presbyterian Church. The congregation gathers on the sidewalk in front of the building. Large trees and grass embellish the wide parkway between the sidewalk and street. (T. Times)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Easter--Tacoma;

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church. The Church was constructed in the early -mid 1920's from a design by senior architect Ralph Adams Cram of the firm of Cram and Ferguson of Boston. Its tower stands above the church, adorned with statues of four apostles, John, Matthew, Mark & Luke, as well as religious symbols. Its stained glass windows were designed by Mr. Cram and manufactured by Colonial Stained Glass Window Works of Boston. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture and is on the City Registry. (WSHS)

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

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, interior of Ferguson Chapel. The small chapel was given to the church as a memorial to the late William Ferguson by Mrs. William Ferguson and her sons William and John. Mr. Ferguson had come to Tacoma as an Irish immigrant and was one of the founders of the church. The Ferguson Chapel seated 150 and was open to the community for use, without regard to denomination. (WSHS, Argentum)

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

Exterior view of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Russell and Babcock, Architects, 1909. Spanish Mission style church with tower at rear. Taken in conjunction with the December 1936 Charles Mattson kidnapping case. (Seattle Star).

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. Thornton Shaw, Charles Mattson's teacher at Immanuel Presbyterian Church Sunday School, sitting at desk. On December 27, 1936 at approximately 9 p.m., ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped from his parent's home at 4605 No. Verde by a masked gunman. The gunman, viewed by his brother, sister and family friend, was described as 40, 5'7", 145 pounds, swarthy complected with a heavy dark beard and European accent. He left a ransom note demanding $28,000. In the days that followed, the kidnapper made confusing and conflicting demands of Dr. and Mrs. William Mattson by mail and telephone. Charles' body was found January 10. 1937 in a snowy, wooded area near Everett. The discovery prompted the largest manhunt in Pacific Northwest history, but the murderer was never found. (photograph T. Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaw, Thornton; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Wedding of Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) Wetherby and Connor E. Gray, Jr., of Seattle, July 12, 1941, at First Presbyterian Church. Bride (seated) and groom (second from left) sign marriage certificate as Maid of Honor, the bride's sister Jane Wetherby, and Best Man, groom's brother Sharod Gray, look on. The man in the suit on the left is believed to be Dr. J.R. McCullough, who read the vows. (T. Times 4/14/1941, pg. 7)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wetherby, Margaret Elizabeth--Marriage; Gray, Connor; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wetherby, Jane; Gray, Sharod;

Dr. Albert J. Lindsey stands behind the pulpit at the First Presbyterian Church.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Clergy--Tacoma--1950-1960; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Lindsey, Albert J.; Pulpits--Tacoma;

ca. 1957. According to the History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church predates the official founding of the City of Tacoma. Seven people met on July 27, 1873, to establish the "Tacoma Presbyterian Church," eight months before the authorization of a town government. In its long history, church members have worshipped in one town hall and three church edifices. The magnificent Romanesque building was designed by noted church architect, Ralph Adams Cram of Boston; it was dedicated on September 20, 1925. In 1984, a new Swiss tower clock was added to the structure. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 450) TPL-10105

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

ca. 1931. Calvary Presbyterian Church, 3516 So. D St., Tacoma. The church was built in 1886 and moved a few blocks to this location in 1909. Bowen # CHU-012

ca. 1931. Bethany Presbyterian Church, 4420 No. 41st St., Tacoma. This semi-Colonial structure replaced a previous Bethany Presbyterian at this location. It was designed by the architectural firm of Heath, Gove & Bell. The structure had a brick veneer and stained glass windows from the Allen C. Mason mansion. Rev. Robert Asa Smith was the preacher at the time of construction. Bowen #CHU-047

On August 18, 1925, an unidentified skilled craftsman was captured on film working on the carved screen that will mask the massive pipe organ in the new First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Ave. So. This craftsman was one of seven from the shop owned by partners Jacob Grotheim & Nels Torp working on the project. When noted church architect and Bostonian Ralph Adams Cram completed the design, he felt that no one in the wild Northwest would have the skill to execute the ornately carved oak pulpit and organ screen. Local cabinet makers J Grotheim & Co. answered the challenge. They were not only located close, at 1306 Tacoma Ave. So. but Mr. Grotheim was also a member of the church. The Boston architect was very impressed with the photographs that he received of the completed carvings. (TNT 8/21/1925, pg. 1) TPL-515; G22.1-202; BU-11,531

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); J. Grotheim & Co. (Tacoma); Wood carving;

Bethany Presbyterian Church. The original Bethany Presbyterian Church, located on the same site, was destroyed by fire in early November of 1923. The ruins were razed and a new Bethany Presbyterian rose from the ashes of the old in remarkably quick time. Construction was started in April of 1924 and the church was completed less than seven months later at a cost of $35,000. The new Bethany Presbyterian had a brick veneer trimmed in stone and stained glass windows retrieved from the Allen C. Mason mansion. The imposing structure stood at the corner of Verde and North 41 St. G22.1-148 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-21-24, 4B-article)

Bethany Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma;