Spillman-Lyman meetings, fifth Sunday night audience. Tacoma Nov. 1, 1953. The Spillman-Lyman revival began at the New Bible Prophecy Auditorium at the Central Seventh Day Adventist's Church in September and was still going strong in November. Spillman, the "man with an answer," delivered a powerful end of the world sermon that he claimed was being fulfilled in current history. Motion pictures on the life of the Apostle Paul were also shown. The revival was advertised as "Where the meetings begin on time and are out by nine" and Tacomans were instructed to "follow the crowds to these great meetings." (TNT 10/3/1953, pg. 6 & TNT 11/7/1953- photo used in advertisement)

Revivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma);

Church of God in Christ banquet. The congregation is gathered for a banquet to honor some occasion, possibly a wedding, as a woman in white formal dress sits left of the center column. The room can be divided into sections by curtains and framed photos adorn the back wall. This building was built in 1890 as a boarding house and in the 30's served as the location of the Japanese Baptist Mission. (building information from TPL building index)

Church of God in Christ (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; African Americans;

First Presbyterian Church and approximately 300 children attending the 1953 Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School was sponsored by area churches during a week in the summer to give children a chance to study the scriptures during their free time, and for parents to keep their children busy during the long summer days. For many baby boomers, summer brings fond memories of Vacation Bible School - memorizing Bible verses, singing songs, making Biblical characters out of clothespins and having snacks of cookies and Koolaid.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma--1950-1960; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christian vacation schools--1950-1960;

Pastor Louis Kephart ministers to his congregation at the new Who So Ever Will Come chapel on Pacific Avenue in June, 1953. The small storefront church appears packed with parishioners during the mid-afternoon service. Entire families, dressed in Sunday best, attentively listen to Rev. Kephart. This was the opening service at the church's new Pacific Avenue location. According to an advertisement in the June 6, 1953, News Tribune, the church believed and preached divine healing. They invited all to attend a Holy Ghost revival featuring evangelist R. James Vaughn on the evening of June 7th. (TNT 6-6-53, p. 7 - Ad)

Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Who So Ever Will Come (Tacoma); Kephart, Louis;

The congregation at the new Who So Ever Will Come chapel listened to music performed by members on accordion, tambourine and guitar on a Sunday afternoon in June, 1953. View from rear of church shows narrowness of room with Pastor Louis Kephart and musicians on elevated stage. The 1954 City Directory listed the church under "Other Denominations"; it apparently was not affiliated with any major Protestant group. The church was celebrating its opening service at the Pacific Avenue location on June 7; later that evening evangelist R. James Vaughn would be conducting a Holy Ghost revival. (TNT 6-6-53, p. 7 -Ad)

Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Who So Ever Will Come (Tacoma); Kephart, Louis;

Seventh-day Adventist Disaster Emergency Unit. In March of 1953 Tacoma's Adventist churches spent a full day having their members demonstrate first-aid techniques and preparing emergency disaster kits filled with medicines, bandages and other supplies. Nurse Roberta Sharley is pictured above with two unidentified women as she looks over the items to be placed within the white SDA buckets. About $19 worth of first-aid items were placed in each emergency kit. (TNT 3-22-1953, A-15-article)

Seventh-day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Civil defense--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sharley, Roberta; Nurses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Seventh-day Adventist Disaster Emergency Unit. Members of the Tacoma Central and South Side Seventh-day Adventist churches met in March of 1953 for a joint project in preparing for emergency disasters. Special SDA supply kits were filled for household use in case of disaster. Members lined up assembly-style to place about $19 worth of bandages, antiseptics, splints, dressings, water purification tablets and other useful items into each white can. (TNT 3-22-1953, A-15-article)

Seventh-day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Civil defense--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Seventh-day Adventist Disaster Emergency Unit. Shown filling a special SDA Disaster Kit bucket with neatly folded bandages in March of 1953 were several members of Tacoma's Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were participating in a 10-hour day full of first aid training and stocking of emergency care kits. According to Pastor DeWitt S. Osgood, it was the church's objective to have a Red Cross first-aider in every home with every church a disaster depot and every home equipped with a disaster kit. The disaster kits would help not only the homeowner but their neighbors as well. (TNT 3-22-1953, A-15-article)

Seventh-day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Civil defense--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Seventh-day Adventist Disaster Emergency Unit. An unidentified speaker addresses members of the Tacoma Central and South Side Seventh-day Adventist churches in March of 1953 as they spent a long day filling and distributing emergency disaster kits and practicing first aid. The Fifties were a time of anxiety for our nation and civil defense was highly promoted. The City of Tacoma had a Civil Defense Building on Fawcett Ave. which was constructed of concrete and considered bombproof and had its own local director of civil defense. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has provided emergency relief in times of disaster for over a hundred years. (TNT 3-22-1953, A-15-article)

Seventh-day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Civil defense--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Seventh-day Adventist Disaster Emergency Unit. Members of all ages from the Tacoma Central and South Side Seventh-day Adventist churches spent a day in March, 1953, involved in a hands-on project of filling and distributing emergency disaster kits and practicing first-aid. Working on an assembly-line basis, these two boys and an elderly couple are pictured placing wooden splints into the white buckets marked SDA Disaster Kit(s). Piles of neatly folded bandages are shown on a nearby table ready for insertion into the kits. The objective of the kits and training was to hopefully equip every church member's home with a kit so they could be prepared to help themselves in case of disaster and also aid their neighbors. Most of the activities of this long 10-hour day were filmed for use as training for other Seventh-day Adventist churches. (TNT 3-22-1953, A-15-article)

Seventh-day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Civil defense--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Father Anthony Baffaro, pastor of St. Rita's Catholic Church, stands on the church steps with his confirmation class on April 12, 1953. The boys in the group, some in uniform, have been placed in front of the veiled girls in white. St. Rita's was founded by Italian immigrants; built in 1924 in the Mediterranean style, it was placed on the National Registry. Its parish priest, Fr. Anthony Baffaro, was the youngest Jesuit priest in history. He was very involved in encouraging youth activities in the church and organized a church baseball team. Fr. Baffaro died on February 17, 1979, after serving his parish since September, 1948. Photograph ordered by Fr. Baffaro. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 3, p. 87)

St. Rita's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Confirmations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baffaro, Anthony;

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 exterior of the Lincoln Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was photographed on April 22, 1954. The chapel was located at 5016 A Street; it was built primarily with the labor of its congregation. The building was constructed out of concrete block; the exterior appeared to be resurfaced with Perma-Stone. Perma-Stone was a tough, long lasting material which was cast by molds on walls of brick, block, wood, stucco or tile. Photograph ordered by Karl Kaman, contractor.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Building materials;

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);

A procession of priests stride along a brilliantly sunlit sidewalk on the way to a young priest's first solemn high mass. The mass will occur on May 16, 1954, at the Church of the Visitation on South 58th St. Some of the priests hold their hands together in a prayer position. The priest in the middle is wearing a dark cassock while two in front wear surplices. A few church parishioners watch and wait. Photograph ordered by the Rev. Gabriel Donohue.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Church of the Visitation in South Tacoma is full as parishioners and guests observe the first solemn high mass sung by a recently ordained young priest on May 16, 1954. All attention is focused on the activity at the altar. The Rev. Timothy Lamm, 26, was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at St. James Cathedral in Seattle the day before. Father Timothy was one of three Benedictine monks from St. Martin's to be ordained that day. This elevated view of the altar, church dignitaries, and kneeling crowd was taken from the back of the church, perhaps a choir loft. Photograph ordered by the Rev. Gabriel Donohue. (TNT 5-13-54, A-10)

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); Altars--Tacoma;

A proud moment in the life of a newly ordained priest is captured in a May 16, 1954, photograph. A celebratory banquet in his honor is being held with family members as special guests. The Rev. Timothy Lamm, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. David J. Lamm, Sr. of Puyallup, had just conducted his first solemn high mass at Church of the Visitation. Father Timothy, a Benedictine monk, had been ordained the day before in St. James Cathedral, Seattle. He was valedictorian of his 1950 graduation class at St. Martin's College and later studied theology at Mt. Angel Abbey, Oregon. From left to right in the photograph are: Mary Lamm, Mrs. Laurence Thielen, Sister Mary Alita, Mrs. David Lamm, Sr., Father Timothy Lamm, O.S.B., David J. Lamm, Sr., Sister Ruthella, Frank and Raymond Lamm. Photograph ordered by the Rev. Gabriel Donohue. (TNT 5-13-54, A-10, TNT 6-6-54, B-4))

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lamm, Timothy; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Attendance at the New Bible Prophecy Auditorium, the Central Seventh Day Adventist Church at 6th and Sprague, for the Spillman-Lyman Evangelistic Team. The best known West Coast Evangelistic team began their revival meetings September 27, 1953, sponsored by the Washington Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists. Don Hiatt Spillman was the director and speaker. Lewis Lyman was the singing evangelist and musical director. The pair, with their wives, sang as a mixed quartet. The first sermon was "Now that Stalin is dead and the Communists have the hydrogen bomb, what is the answer to the Russian Riddle?" Appearing in Tacoma after 66 weeks in Seattle, 38 in Spokane and 24 in Salem Oregon, the revival would meet every night except Monday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the new 1/4 million dollar building designed by Silas Nelsen. (TNT 9/25/1953, pg. 7)

Religious meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma); Revivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Drawing upon the 14th Psalm and the Book of Revelations, Dr. Walter A Maier of the Lutheran Hour radio program addressed a capacity audience in the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 South Union Avenue, on May 21, 1948. The main theme of his address was "Christ, Not Communism". Dr. Maier told his audience that Communism was "anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-church ... and anti-everything that is God or good" and warned that a Third World War would "give the Reds the rule of the world". (T. Times, 5/22/48, p. 2).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Evangelists; Public speaking--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Maier, Walter A.; Lutheran Layman's League (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);

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);

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients and families a tranquil serene final resting place. Families can choose from beautiful grounds landscaped with junipers, rhododendrons and azaleas, mausoleum, or an Urn Garden and Rockery constructed in three levels with a perpetual waterfall. View of entrance leading into the New Tacoma Cemetery, the gates are open, the mausoleum is located on the right side.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gates--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients 100 acres of beautiful peaceful resting grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery has been serving Tacoma families since 1932, they are under the administration of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization. Exterior view of grounds, large trees and beautifully landscaped grounds offer peace and tranquility, sacred sanctuary in background.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

New Tacoma Cemetery is located in the Southwest area of Tacoma, on 9221 Chambers Creek Road. The New Tacoma Cemetery is considered one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest, with a mausoleum and sacred sanctuary on the grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery is a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way. Exterior view of the grounds, some graves are decorated with flowers and American flags.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Benches--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery has just had many Memorial Day services and had hundreds of visitors during this weekend period in 1948. This cemetery was a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way, both were owned by the Tacoma Cemetery Association. View of graves, some have an American Flag, in the New Tacoma Cemetery, a park bench is by a large tree.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Benches--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Branham Healing Campaign was taking place at the Tacoma Ice Palace, a three day campaign was promising incredible results. More than five thousand people from Tacoma attended the first session. Interior view of Ice Palace, sick people on beds and stretchers, musical group on right side and spectators listen and watch attentively (T. Times, 5/15/48, p. 3).

Audiences--Tacoma; Religious groups--Tacoma; Evangelists; Healing--Tacoma; Healers--Tacoma; Religious meetings--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Branham Healing Campaign;

Tacoma was experiencing three days of miracle healing. View of thousands of people who attended the Branham Healing Campaign at the Tacoma Ice Palace. Co-operating Churches in Tacoma helped make this event possible and were actively participating in the program (T. Times, 5/15/48, p. 3).

Audiences--Tacoma; Religious groups--Tacoma; Evangelists; Healing--Tacoma; Healers--Tacoma; Religious meetings--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Branham Healing Campaign;