Elizabeth (Mrs. Melvin H. Jr.) Voorhees, left, and Mrs. Lawrence Worth admire antique silver and glassware at the home of Mrs. Edward Howell in April of 1937. Mrs. Voorhees was the chairman for the antique exhibit being held April 20, 1937 in the Stone Room of the First Presbyterian Church. The Circle B Planning Committee of the church was arranging the exhibit. Mrs. Howell was one of the exhibitors. Mel Voorhees was a wire editor at the Tacoma Times. (photograph also numbered T1038-1 and A4032-1) (Tacoma Times 4/19/1937, pg. 9)

Glassware; Teapots; Pitchers; Voorhees, Elizabeth; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Four women from the Circle B First Presbyterian Planning Committee pose at the home of Mrs. Lincoln (Lulu) Gault on February 12, 1938. They are planning a large collectors and antique exhibit scheduled for the following Friday in the Stone Hall of the Church. It will be one of the largest and finest exhibits of its kind ever held in Tacoma. 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;

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;

Orpheus Club members are shown post-concert at the First Methodist Church on December 9, 1952. The Orpheus Club, with more than fifty participants, was a male choir that performed in many concerts, including several at the First Methodist Church and was part of the massive collaboration of choirs in productions of Handel's "The Messiah." The December, 1952, concert featured soprano Gloria Marinacci, as guest artist. The Orpheans were directed by Ivan Rasmussen and Helen Nancy Congdon was the piano accompanist. (TNT 11-30-52, D-10)

Orpheus Club (Tacoma); Concerts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Choirs (Music); First Methodist Church (Tacoma);

Altar at St. Patrick's Church decorated for Holy Week. The repository for Thursday of Holy Week, shown in the photograph, is prepared apart from the principal altar and hung with precious tapestry and adorned with flowers and candles. The Urn with the blessed sacrament is in the center of the altar and locked with key and lock. (T. Times, 4/16/1938, p. 6).

Altars; St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma);

The 1938 softball team at Holy Rosary School, 502 So. 30th St., won the city parochial school championship for the second consecutive year. They won 10 of their 12 scheduled games. To get to the top, they defeated St. Leo's 2 times, Visitation 3 times, Sacred Heart 2 times and St. Patricks 3 times. Team members displaying the championship banner, according to the Tacoma Times, are: Front row (l to r): Victor Martineau, Walter Truselo, William Pitzl, Laverne Martineau. Second row: John Zyglewicz, John Gloor, Bernard Hulscher, William McDevitt (captain), Jim Bichsel, Eugene Dugaw. (Note: Bichsel identified by sister 5/22/2000 as second from right.) Third row: Alfred Noll, James Fitzpatrick, Arnold Bondy, and Dick Dolak. (T. Times, 6/4/1938, p. 11).

Holy Rosary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Awards; Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Religious education--Tacoma--1930-1940; Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940;

First Lutheran Church, Graduating Sunday School Class, circa May of 1938. Twelve boys and girls with pastor. (filed with Argentum)

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

The congregation of Sixth Avenue Baptist Church listens attentively to its minister, Rev. Victor A. McKee, in late January, 1953. Members of the children's and adult's choirs are seated up front. The church is nearly full, with people also sitting in the balcony. The covered table in front of the minister may be for Communion. Photograph ordered by Victor A. McKee. TPL-9619

Religious services--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baptist churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Sixth Avenue Baptist Church (Tacoma); McKee, Victor A.;

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;

ca. 1938. First Methodist Church quartet. Group of four men and one woman. (filed with Argentum)

First Methodist Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Methodist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Singers;

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;

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;

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);

Packed attendance at the Lorne F. Fox Party, the city wide salvation and healing campaign held at the Tent Cathedral at So. 23rd & Steele in August of 1953. The Rev. Lorne F. Fox was a traveling evangelist who appeared in Tacoma sponsored by the Full Gospel Fellowship of Tacoma. His traveling ministry offered music, prayer for the sick and claimed conversion of thousands. Rev. Lorne F. Fox was the primary speaker and musician. He played the piano, organ, accordion and Hawaiian guitar. Ruth L. Fox was the song leader and contralto soloist. Joe & Gerry Pontrello filled in as organist, trumpeter and vocalist. The Crusade had taken the internationally known musicians and evangelists to Alaska, Mexico, the West Indies and South America. The revival opened August 16, 1953 at 3 & 7:30p.m. and would continue nightly, except for Mondays. (TNT 8/8/1953, pg. 4 & 8/15/1953, pg. 4)

Revivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Choir at the Church of Holy Communion. In December of 1938, the choir of the Church of Holy Communion, 1401 So. I St., was one of several groups planning special musical programs for the holiday season. Pictured are, front row left to right, rector Rev. R. H. McGinnis, Sara Booth, Mrs. Carl Nilson, Mary Sanford, Margaret McGinnis, Mrs. R.H. McGinnis and Mrs. H.R. Maybin. Back Row: Fred Waters, Arnold Doersam, E.C. Power, Miss Frances McGinnis, Roger Scudder, George Barlow and Edmond Zolman. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (T. Times 12/24/1938, pg. 10) (filed with Argentum)

Church of the Holy Communion (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Singers;

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;

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;

Group portrait of the one hundred voice men's choir and their accompanist, the one lone woman in the seated row, of the Independent Bible Church, 5 So. G St., in January of 1939. The choir was the largest men's choir on the Pacific Coast and one of the largest in the West. It was composed of members of the "Centurions," a Bible study class. The Independent Bible Church had purchased the building at 5 So. G St., formerly the Scottish Rite Cathedral, from the Masonic organization in early 1937. Photograph ordered by Mr. Short at the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 2/10/1939, pg. 18- names in caption)

Independent Bible Church (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940;

Funeral Group taken at Calvary Cemetery - Mrs. John S. Shaenes/Sharnes re John Sharnes, 1136 Cedar St., Raymond, Washington. (filed with Argentum)

Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Funeral rites & ceremonies;

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;

Interior shot of the First Baptist Church on Easter Sunday, April 9th, 1939. (filed with Argentum)

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

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);

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;

Aquinas Academy Graduation Banquet. Thirty-five girls in formals seated around formal set dining table. (filed with Argentum)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Church schools--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma;

Hidden spotlights give the wooden Nativity scene a warm glow as this night exposure taken on September 19, 1954, shows. Lights also illuminate the church behind the creche; it is believed to be the Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood. The Nativity figures are painted in muted tones as they all acknowledge the birth of baby Jesus. Hay is spread on the church lawn to give the scene an additional authenticity. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Creches (Nativity scenes)--Lakewood; Churches--Lakewood--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The congregation of the University Place Assembly of God posed for this October 17, 1954, sepia photograph in front of their wood church. There appear to be many young families attending this particular house of worship. The large sign, "Jesus Saves" on the church was probably visible for quite some distance away. A black speaker is positioned above the sign next to the erected cross so that announcements could be heard even in the parking lot. The University Place Assembly of God was located at Mountain View Avenue and South 29th Street. Edwin Oster was listed in the 1954 City Directory as its pastor.

University Place Assembly of God (University Place); Protestant churches--University Place; Churches--University Place; Signs (Notices);

Interior of church. Simple pews, a small podium, and an Andrew Kohler piano present an intimate setting for the University Place Assembly of God church. A poster of Jesus along with religious wall hangings adorn the paneled walls. The church was located at Mountain View Avenue and South 29th Street. Edwin Oster was listed in the 1954 City Directory as the church's pastor.

University Place Assembly of God (University Place); Protestant churches--University Place; Churches--University Place; Pianos;