ca. 1979. St. Leo's Catholic Church, ca. 1979.

St. Leo's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. Vocational First Baptist Church, 1810 Tacoma Ave. So., circa 1979.

Vocational First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1523 Yakima Ave. So., built in 1925 from a design by Silas E. Nelsen.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (Tacoma); Orthodox churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, located at 1523 Yakima Ave. So. The Church was dedicated in 1925. Silas E. Nelsen was the architect.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (Tacoma); Orthodox churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. Roofline of St. Leo's Catholic Church, 1301 Yakima Ave. So., circa 1979.

St. Leos Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. View of window with "Jesus Saves" in the shape of a cross; a pasted up sign below the window identities it as the "Church Deliverance Revival Center;" Rev. W. Brock, pastor. Photograph taken in 1979.

Church Deliverance Revival Center (Tacoma);

ca. 1979. View of window with "Jesus Saves" in the shape of a cross; a pasted up sign below the window identities it as the "Church Deliverance Revival Center;" Rev. W. Brock, pastor. Photograph taken in 1979.

Church Deliverance Revival Center (Tacoma);

ca. 1919. Tacoma architect C. Frank Mahon drew this delineation of Holy Rosary Church before construction began on the Catholic church in 1920. Located at 520 South 30th Street, its Gothic steeple has long been a Tacoma landmark. Mahon's architectural work for the Catholic Diocese included many schools and churches in Tacoma in addition to Marymount Boys School in Spanaway and St. Martin's College in Lacey. (B2308)

Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Architectural drawings;

The congregation of the Epworth Methodist Church stands between the street and the church site on the 800th block of North Pine St on April 9, 1922, following the Epworth Bible School Parade on Sixth Ave. They are possibly gathered near the site proposed for their new church, 710 So. Anderson. The completed church was dedicated in May of 1926. Prior to their new church, the congregation met at 702 So. Anderson, built in 1902. The original church has been demolished. TPL-7074,

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

Mason Methodist Community House. By August of 1924, construction was underway at the new Mason Methodist Community House, a community hall, adjoining the church at 4008 North 28th St. Groundbreaking had occurred on May 20th. The new $25,000 hall, designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell, would be dedicated in November of 1924. TPL-495; G22.1-131 (TNT 5-22-24, p. 14-article on groundbreaking)

Mason Methodist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sailors from the Seven Seas found a welcoming place to stay at the Seamen's Church Institute on the Municipal dock in August of 1924. Several men of varying races have gathered for a friendly billiards match. The purpose of the Seamen's Institute was to bring cheer to visiting sailors by providing them a comfortable place to congregate and rest. A library, gym, social hall, billiard room, reading/writing rooms, showers, kitchens, bedrooms and chapel were available, regardless of race or rank. It was partially supported by funding from the Tacoma Community Chest. TPL-7141; G53.1-093 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-5-28, 4-A - article on Seamen's Church Institute)

Sailors; Billiards--Tacoma--1920-1930; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sailors from many fleets enjoyed time away from their ships at the Seamen's Institute in August of 1924. Horseshoes, billiards, juggling clubs and boxing speed bag were just some of the activities pictured that the men could participate in without charge. Rev. Harry Ferneyhough is the clergyman near left. He had operated the Seamen's Church Institute for eighteen years as a friend to mariners. Books and newspapers were also available as well as meals for the hungry.

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clergy--Tacoma; Ferneyhough, Harry; Horseshoes;

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;

The hotel at 1407 Pacific Avenue was known as "Hotel Goodwill" in the early 1920s. The Salvation Army had a marked presence there as this photograph from February, 1922, shows. A Salvation Army officer sits with several men for some pleasant conversation. Books and newspapers were provided as well as spittoons for tobacco chawers. The Salvation Army operated the hotel where several hundred men were given free lodging and board in 1921. In 1922 the Army received their entire support from the Tacoma Community Chest. (TDL 3-7-22, p. 10-article)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Goodwill (Tacoma);

The Salvation Army has served Tacoma since 1888 as a vital segment of community life. In 1922, a new citadel, pictured a few months after completion, was constructed at 109 South 13th St. Architects Hill, Mock & Griffin designed the masonry and stucco structure built on the site once proposed for the Union Pacific Railroad depot. The flag was raised at the June 25, 1922 dedication by a delegation from the American Legion consisting of a soldier, a sailor and a marine. The building was erected at a cost of $42,000, with most of the funding supplied by the Tacoma Elks Lodge. TPL-6360; G21.1-183 (TNT 6-21-22, p. 3-article)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Members of the Epworth Methodist Church attend a retreat in the woods, possibly on Mount Rainier. To the right is a rough assembly hall and in the left background is a tent. Photograph is torn upper left. TPL-7075

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Knights of Columbus activities at U.S. Veterans Hospital, American Lake. High Mass was conducted at the American Lake Veterans Hospital in Lakewood on April 12, 1925, with a small congregation in attendance. The unidentified priest is on the small stage with two altar boys. G23.1-030; G22.1-066

Religious services--Lakewood; Priests--Lakewood; American Lake Veterans Hospital (Lakewood);

On April 6, 1925, photographer Marvin Boland captured K Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) devoid of traffic. He stood at South 15th Street shooting north, picturing only a couple of parked cars and the empty streetcar tracks as they ran down the road. On the left was the two year old pride of Tacoma's Norwegian population, Normanna Hall at 1502 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. It served as a meeting place for the close knit community. Down the block on the right was the Norwegian Free Lutheran Church, at 1423 MLK, built in 1902. The area was still residential with open spaces, not the commercial shopping area that it became in the 1940's and 50's. TPL-3701; G60.1-082

Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lutheran Free Church (Tacoma); Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma Rail & Power requested photographs in April of 1925 of South "K" St. (now called Martin Luther King Jr. Way) at 15th, showing both a north and south view. This is the view looking south on South "K" emphasizing the width of the street and the streetcar tracks in the foreground. The Norwegian Free Lutheran Church at 1423 South "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) is on the left with the Normanna Hall down the street on the right at #1502. G60.1-083

Churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lutheran Free Church (Tacoma); Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The cornerstone of the new Epworth Methodist Church was laid in ceremonies held on Sunday, May 17, 1925. The church congregation and friends gathered at the site of the new church at 710 South Anderson; the old church is in the background. The cornerstone was donated by Robert Walker of Walker Cut Stone who had given cornerstones for all the churches erected in Tacoma in recent years. The finished $90,000 Epworth Methodist was dedicated a year later in May of 1926. G22.1-128 (TNT 5-16-25, p. 14-article; TNT 5-18-25, p. 4)

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cornerstone laying--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Built of Wilkeson sandstone donated by Robert Walker, the First Baptist Church was nearly ready for its dedication set for June of 1925. Designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell and built by J.E. Bonnell, contractor, the huge church cost about $250,000. The fencing around the church would be removed by Sunday, June 7th. First Baptist's congregation chose to remain in the downtown area so built on a vacant lot adjoining its old site. "We aim to make this a great friendly downtown church for everybody," said pastor C.O. Johnson. In just a few years First Baptist grew to become one of the largest churches on the West Coast. The years 1924-25 saw perhaps a record in church construction in Tacoma with the First Baptist Church, Sixth Avenue Baptist, First Presbyterian, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and Fern Hill Baptist among those built. First Baptist is now called Urban Grace, the Downtown Church. BU11,472 (TNT 6-4-25, p. 11)

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

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;

This small building at South 46th and Bell St. was the new Hope Chapel which was dedicated on Sunday, December 13, 1925. Rev. Arthur Sydow, pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, preached the sermon. Hope Chapel was part of the Evangelical Lutheran community and built nearly entirely by volunteer labor. The building consisted of four rooms which could be combined to make an auditorium with capacity of 150. G22.1-114 (TNT 12-11-25, p. 18-article; TNT 12-14-25, p. 13)

Hope Chapel (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Churches--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;

Revival meeting. This great wooden tabernacle is packed as far as the eye can see in April of 1930 as people have gathered to have their spirits lifted and faith reaffirmed. They were awaiting the appearance of international evangelist Dr. Charles S. Price. Tacoma in the 1920's and early 30's hosted several revival meetings held in temporary structures. G22.1-005

Revivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Salvation Army conference at the Tacoma Hotel. Attendees pose for a group portrait on April 22, 1931 on the steps of the hotel. Many are wearing the familiar Salvation Army attire. Among those pictured is Col. Andrew Crawford of San Francisco, second in command of Salvation Army work in the Western states. G21.1-187 (TDL 4-22-31, p. 9-article on convention)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

The Seamen's Church Institute, in its various existences, has served thousands of sailors with both spiritual and material needs. This photograph, believed to have been taken in February of 1922, shows some of the visiting sailors enjoying some recreational downtime with a bit of piano music. The same men can be seen in Boland B5339. The clergyman in the rear is believed to be Rev. Harry Ferneyhough who had been the guiding force at the Institute for sixteen years. He was born in England and was a former sailor himself. Rev. Ferneyhough went daily to the harbor to greet ships and distribute handbills inviting sailors to visit the Institute. There would be no charge for food or any hospitality offered. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-12-22, 10-E; TDL 3-14-22, p. 5-article)

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pianos;

Visiting sailors at the Seamen's Institute are shown relaxing in a small room in February of 1922 . There are many books on shelves and newspapers and magazines are piled up on a long table. Two young seamen are playing checkers while others smoke and read. Rev. Harry Ferneyhough, a former sailor, is pictured overseeing the activities. Rev. Ferneyhough had offered a friendly hand to mariners in Tacoma for sixteen years. By 1922, the Seamen's Institute had moved from the old St. Luke's parish house to rent-free quarters at the Tacoma Municipal Dock. Here the hungry were fed, the penniless helped, the dying buried, and guidance provided, all without charge. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-12-22, 10-E-article on the Institute; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, Community Chest special pictorial supplement, 3-19-22 )

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Newspapers--Tacoma; Books; Smoking--Tacoma; Clergy--Tacoma; Ferneyhough, Harry;