ca. 1931. St. Nicholas Hellenic Tabernacle, 1523 Yakima Ave. So., Tacoma. This Byzantine structure was built in 1925 from a design by architect Silas E. Nelsen. It is now known as St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Bowen # CHU-003

ca. 1931. Trinity Lutheran Church, known as "The Gray Church," at 12115 Park Ave. So., Parkland was built in 1907 and dedicated in 1910. According to "Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland, Washington 75th Anniversary 1919-1994," the church was designed to be cross-shaped, 70-feet long & 70-feet wide, and built of brick and stone at a cost of $16,000. There was a basement, steeple and many stairs. Nicknamed the "Gray Church," it was located where the south end of Trinity Lutheran Church's present sanctuary now stands. The "Gray Church" was finally demolished in 1957 as the location was being prepared for building the congregation's new church. (Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland, Washington 75th Anniversary 1919-1994, p.1-2) Bowen # CHU-004

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. Sprague Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3359 So. 58th St., Tacoma. The church was built in 1891 and has also been known as Edison Presbyterian. Bowen# CHU-014

ca. 1931. Trinity Lutheran Church, 1307 So. I, Tacoma. The church was built in 1886 as the German Lutheran Church. It was designed by architects Farrell & Darmer. It later was named Trinity Lutheran. Trinity Lutheran closed in 1949 after over 50 years. Although the structure was home to other congregations after that time, it was demolished in 1996. Bowen # CHU-029

ca. 1931. Church of Latter Day Saints, 1603 No. Steele St., Tacoma. The church was built in 1892 as Central Christian Church at 1110 So. 3rd St. It was moved to this site in 1906 and remodeled by Frederick Heath at that time. In 1917, it was purchased by the Mormon Church and became their first Tacoma branch. It has since been demolished. Bowen # CHU-031

ca. 1931. Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2213 No. Warner St., Tacoma. The church was built in 1909. Bowen #CHU-036

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. Elim Free Evangelical Church, 1402 So. L St., Tacoma. Built in 1921, the church was also known as the Norwegian Congregational Church. Bowen # CHU- 054

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. 1931. St. John's English Lutheran Church, 424 So. I St., Tacoma. Constructed in 1909, this English Gothic church was designed by architects Bresemann and Durfee. It was later known as Luther Memorial Church. The congregation held its final services in this building in November of 2003; it was sold to Multicare. Bowen #CHU-026

The Lakewood community was growing rapidly in 1938 when the area's first church was dedicated. Contractors converted an abandoned old grocery store into The Little Church on the Prairie by adding a steeple, new windows and doors, and remodled interior. The white picket fence surrounding the church enhanced the Colonial architectural style that was evolving in Lakewood.

ca. 1949. Funeral, Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, exterior view. Mourners gather behind the flag-covered casket outside the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, 1717 Fawcett Ave., in this circa 1949 photograph. There are many large floral tributes including one with "77" emblazed amidst the blooms.

By August of 1924, construction of the massive First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Avenue South was well underway. Ground had been broken in October of 1923 and the cornerstone laid in early May of 1924. The church, located in the historic Stadium District, was the third building for its congregation. The local architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan were given the contract to design this beautiful example of Romanesque architecture. They were assisted by noted Boston church architects, Cram & Ferguson. Ralph Adams Cram would design the church's interior features including the rich wood carvings and stained glass windows. First Presbyterian was dedicated in September of 1925. TPL-516; G22.1-201; BU-11,528

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This group of children and young adults is probably celebrating Purim in March of 1928 at the Talmud Torah Synagogue, 901 South 4th St. The News Tribune noted that a play entitled "The Festival of the Feasts with the cast of 12 under the direction of Miss Lillian Friedman, will be presented. G20.1-022 (TNT 03/05/1928) The date in the photographer's daybook indicates the time of Passover, but that is likely in error.

Talmud Torah Synagogue (Tacoma); Synagogues--Tacoma;

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 602 Broadway, appears almost obscured by a curtain of enormous trees in this December, 1928, photograph. Only the steeple can be seen clearly. The church had an English Gothic appearance and was built in 1883 using gray sandstone from the Wilkeson quarries. Charles B. Wright had pledged $30,000 (then a considerable sum) towards construction of a church in tribute to his daughter, Kate Elizabeth Wright. Portland architect Joseph Sherwin's plans were based on an old English country church admired by another Wright daughter, Annie Wright. The church was dismantled in 1934 and re-assembled, brick-by- brick, at No. 36th & Gove. Reconstruction would not be complete until 1947.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Protestant churches--Tacoma; Episcopal churches--Tacoma;

Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) from the banks of the Puyallup River, circa 1902. The building to the right is the Puyallup Indian Church, built in 1880 or 1881 with lumber hauled by horse and wagon from Old Tacoma. It was based on Presbyterian teachings and had many prominent Indians, such as Thomas Stolyer, as members. The church was located close to the Puyallup Indian cemetery. (Copied by Mary Randlett)

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Puyallup River (Wash.); Puyallup Indian Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1887. This is St. Luke's Episcopal Church as it looked c1887 when it stood at 602 Broadway. St. Luke's was built in 1883 with gray sandstone brought from the Wilkeson quarries. In 1934 it was dismantled, and reassembled brick-by-brick at 3601 No. Gove. St.

Churches--Tacoma--1880-1890; St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Tacoma);

The congregation of the German Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated the dedication of the $8000 church located at South 16th and "L" Sts. on September 27, 1908. Rev. Arthur Spleiss of Sherwood, Oregon, delivered the dedicatory morning service. An afternoon and evening service followed led by Rev. H. Janssen of North Yakima and Rev. W.H. Behrens of Portland respectively. The new church was 44 x 86-feet and had a seating capacity in its auditorium of 500. In addition, there was a large Sunday School room. In 1953 the Miles Memorial CME Church purchased the property. It was demolished in 2004. (TDL 9-27-1908, p. 32-article)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1900-1910; Church dedications--Tacoma;

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;

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;

Easter morning, March 28, 1937, was one of the best weather wise in many years. Churches were crowded in the morning with the fellowships spilling outside at the end of the sermons to enjoy the sunshine. The choir at the First Presbyterian Choir was photographed assembled in courtyard of church. (T. Times, 3/29/37 p. 1)

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

Washington Baptist Convention at the First Baptist Church of Tacoma. Large group of people gathered in front of the church. Wilkeson sandstone building by Heath and Gove, Architects; 1925.

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1932. Pentecostal Tabernacle, at corner of South 12th and G. The Pentecostal Assembly Church was located at 1123 So. G St. (now 1121 So. Altheimer St.) It was built in 1926 from a design by Silas E. Nelson, architect. The long time pastor of the church was the Rev. Frank J. Gray.

Churches--Tacoma; Pentecostal Assembly Tabernacle (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma;

The Pentecostal Tabernacle, an Assembly of God church designed by Silas E. Nelsen, was dedicated with special services on September 5, 1926. The church was built by contractor Eldor Arntsen at a cost of $20,000 using brick, concrete and hollow tile. The auditorium could seat 750. An annex to the church was dedicated in June of 1953. Rev. Frank Gray was its longtime pastor. The building now houses the Altheimer Memorial Church of God in Christ. (filed with Argentum) (TNT 9/4/1926, pg. 4-alternate photograph)

Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pentecostal Tabernacle (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma;

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. 1934. First Presbyterian Church. The red brick Romanesque structure was designed by Cram and Ferguson, architects from Boston, renowned for their church designs. They were assisted by the local architecture firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan. It was built in 1924 for the sum of $500,000. At the center of the picture is the Church's ornate dome with its ancient Christian symbols and figures. TPL-2266

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

ca. 1926. First Presbyterian Church, general view of interior of the main auditorium. Cram and Ferguson with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1920-24. The lights, hung from heavy chains, were constructed of antique iron. All of the interior features, including the carved wooden pieces and stained glass windows, were designed by Ralph Adams Cram. In 1926, the church's membership exceeded 2200, making it the largest Protestant church in Tacoma and the 33rd largest Presbyterian church in the country. (WSHS, Argentum)

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

A group of thirteen men and two women pose on the front steps of a building for a group portrait, "Conference Presidents and Office Staff, Northwestern States Mission, Tacoma, Wash., December 19, 1925." The Northwestern States Mission was organized in July of 1897 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, for the purpose of locating lost members who had migrated to the Northwest. (WSHS) (www.mission.net/oregon)

Group portraits--Tacoma--1920-1930; Northwestern States Mission (Tacoma); Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Church membership--Tacoma;

South Puget Sound Circuit Convention. Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Tacoma-Washington, April 24-26, 1925. Group of people in front of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Building by A.S. Knight, Architect, 1905. (filed with Argentum)

Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;