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;

Members of the Polish National Alliance posed at the dedication of St. Joseph's Church, 602 South 34th St., on May 19, 1912. The men all wear ribbons/medals. It is not known whether the large group participated in the parade down Pacific Avenue prior to the church dedication.

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Polish National Alliance (Tacoma);

ca. 1944. Tacoma Central Ward Aaronic Priesthood boys displaying their Standard Quorum Award with Bishop Franklin S. Harris and James Milligan. First boy on left is Robert E. Evans.

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

Bishop Edward J. O'Dea at dedication of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 602 South 34th Street, on May 19, 1912. He was assisted by Rev. Father Paul Kern and Rev. Aloysius Mlinar, rector. Some of the 150 members appeared in this photograph with two young girls carrying large bouquets. St. Joseph's was the first Slovak Catholic church built in the Northwest. The building and ground were paid for entirely by Slavonian church members or those in the Slovak community. The church was built by its congregation who labored after finishing their regular jobs. It was estimated that this volunteer labor saved more than $10,000 in construction costs with the building costs initially set at $25,000. (TDL 5-19-12, p. 33-article)

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1910-1912; Church dedications--Tacoma;

ca. 1885. St. Luke's Episcopal Church at original location of 602 Broadway. It was built in 1883 with gray sandstone obtained from the Wilkeson quarries. The church, designed by Portland architect Joseph Sherwin, was based on an old English country church. Railroad and real estate magnate Charles Wright had pledged $30,000 towards the construction in tribute to his daughter, Kate Elizabeth. In 1934 the church was dismantled and reconstructed at 3601 No. Gove St., a careful process that took over twelve years to complete. (copy of original) Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-54

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

Parishioners celebrated the dedication of the St. Joseph Slovak Catholic Church on May 19, 1912. The church, located at 602 South 34th St., was built by congregation members who had purchased the site in April of 1908. Piles of bricks remained in the photograph's foreground across the street from the church. The structure stood 92 x 46-feet tall with a full concrete basement. The auditorium was 46 x 73-feet and seated 450 people. Membership was approximately 150. St. Joseph's was the first Slovak Catholic church built in the Northwest. (TDL 5-19-12, p. 33-article)

St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma--1910-1920; Church dedications--Tacoma;

ca. 1944. Tacoma Central Ward. Seattle Washington Stake. Congregation in front of church during World War II. The church was located at 1603 North Steele St., the former home of Central Christian Church until 1917. A few members have been identified: Raymond N. Parker first row left, Roy McKinnon second on first row. Roy Baldwin third from right, first row and Franklin S. Harris fourth from right, first row.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Parker, Raymond N.; McKinnon, Roy; Baldwin, Roy; Harris, Franklin S.;

Wedding party at altar at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Dorothy Blanche Gourley and Robert Frank Mennitti were married during the late summer with Reverend Father Buckman and 250 guests. Dorothy, the daughter of Earl B. and Elsie L. Gourley and Robert, the son of Rocco J. and Jennie Minnitti, were both graduates of Stadium High School. Robert had also graduated from the College of Puget Sound. (T.Times, 9/7/1948, p.6)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Mennitti, Robert Frank; Gourley, Dorothy Blanche; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950;

Glenna Ann Gaffney and James B. Dickson were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church September 11, 1948. A white runner is lying on the carpet down the central aisle of the church where the bride and her attendants walked to the central altar. The bride can be seen on the left side of the altar, the priest is in the center and the groom is on the right. The bride was a graduate of St. Leo's and attended Seattle University. The groom attended Washington Technical Institute of Seattle. The interior of the church is lit by central chandeliers and side sconces. Columns rise into arches and rib-vaulted ceilings. (T.Times, 9/18/1948, p.10)

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chandeliers; Altars--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gaffney, Glenna Ann--Marriage; Dickson, James B.; Priests--Tacoma;

Holy Rosary Church was originally a wooden structure built in 1891, in 1920 this gothic style building was erected at the same site. This church is 270 feet from the ground to the cross, the steeple is 54 feet. In 1941 Holy Rosary Catholic Church celebrated its 50th anniversary. View of scaffolding in the altar area, three workmen are located on top, the church was likely going through some maintenance or painting. Background view of side chapels, Altar, High Altar, aisle, pews, podium, and religious statues.

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altarpieces--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Vaults (Architecture)--Tacoma; Holy Rosary Church (Tacoma);

The Norwegian, Rogalands Laget Convention was held at the Messiah Lutheran Church on August 14 and 15, 1948. Norwegians came from all parts of the state; two reporters for a Norwegian newspaper published in Fargo, North Dakota, attended. The program included addresses, music and other entertainment, presented in both English and Norwegian. This group photograph was taken in front of the Messiah Lutheran Church, built as the First Norwegian Lutheran Church in 1891. In 1959, it became the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and in 1965 the Shiloh Baptist Church. Ordered by Stavanger Lag (Lodge), Marie Sala, Secretary. (TNT, 8/11/1948, p. 18). TPL-6584

Messiah Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Group portraits; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Norwegian Americans;

Chaplain Howard Rusthoi of Los Angeles, California brought his United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival to Tacoma for two weeks in August of 1948. His giant tent cathedral was set up at South 14th and Trafton. Chaplain Rusthoi had served for twenty years in the ministry including 28 months with the U.S. Army Air Corps. His services were broadcast nightly on KTBI radio. His revival had the local help and support of eleven churches and their pastors. Appearing with Chaplain Rusthoi were Joseph Waugh, a scotch tenor, and Fred Henry, who with billed as the "Blind Pianist". (T. Times, 8/7/48, p. 3).

Revivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evangelists; Religious groups--Tacoma; Christianity--Tacoma; Temporary buildings--Tacoma; Show tents--Tacoma; United Full Gospel City-Wide Revival (Tacoma);

St. Leo's new convent at 13th and G Streets, Times, Father Krebsbach. The new convent of the Sisters of St. Francis was nearly complete and St. Leo's held an Open House September 26, 1948. Construction of the new convent, adjoining St. Leo's church, was begun March 1, 1948, and was expected to be complete the end of September at a cost of $125,000. The building contained 22 rooms in addition to the library, kitchen, community room and laundry facilities. A two-story arch surrounded the main doorway and a round window decorated the corner of the facade. A cross is placed at the peak of the roofline. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.1)

St. Leo's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sisters of St. Francis Convent (Tacoma); Convents--Tacoma; Arches--Tacoma; Windows--Tacoma; Crosses;

Annual Sunday School rally, group of approximately 300, Faith Temple, Mrs. DeWeese. A large congregation of children and adults gathered September 26, 1948, at Faith Temple. They had advertised a "Great Combined Sunday School Rally and Morning Worship Service" at 10 a.m.; a "Young People and Hour of Power Service" at 6:15 p.m.; and an "Evangelistic and Singspriation" at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. R.F. DeWeese would be preaching that day. R.F. DeWeese was the pastor and Jack Brown was the assistant pastor of Faith Temple. Their address was 1001 South K Street. (T.Times, 9/25/1948, p.3)

Sunday schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Churches--Tacoma; Faith Temple (Tacoma); Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950;

First Congregational Church choir, circa November of 1937, with a pipe organ in the background. A cropped version of this picture appeared in the November 19, 1937 Tacoma Times. The choir was celebrating their 12th season with J.W. Bixel as conductor and Mrs. Walter McHaney as organist. During that time, the choir had presented 150 anthems and choruses, most of them by the master composers. In the photograph, Mr. Bixel and Rev. Holland F. Burr are standing in front of the choir. (T. Times 11/19/1937, pg. 3).

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Choirs (music); Bixel, John W.;

Easter Morning, March 28, 1937, at Tacoma Churches. Left to right, Jane Parker, Joan Finch, Seymour S. Todd, Marjory Long, Jean Williams, Kathryn Burr, Virginia Lee (Wendy) Wagner (later Weyerhaeuser) and Mollie Mae Morris outside of First Congregational Church. (T. Times 3/29/37 p. 1)

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Easter--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parker, Jane; Finch, Joan; Todd, Seymour S.; Long, Marjory; Williams, Jean; Burr, Kathryn; Wagner, Virginia Lee; Morris, Mollie Mae;

A double mock wedding portrayed by small children at Epworth Methodist Church.

Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Children playing adults;

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;

This is the First Congregational Church Choir as they posed before the large pipe organ in November of 1937. Director of music, J.W. Bixel, was experiencing his twelfth season as conductor with Mrs. Walter McHaney as organist. During his tenure, the choir had performed 150 anthems and choruses. Rev. Holland F. Burr was pastor of First Congregational. He and Mr. Bixel are standing in the front row.

First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Congregational churches--Tacoma; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Bixel, John W.; Organs;

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;

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;

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;

ca. 1926. Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, general view of exterior. Stone church by Heath and Gove, Architects. 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Baptist churches--Tacoma; Sixth Avenue Baptist Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. Play at Congregational Church. A large group of actors, dressed in robes and headdresses, pose at the front of the church. A curtain has been hung across the altar, shielding most of a pipe organ. This is probably the First Congregational Church at 209 So. "J" St. (WSHS-negative under A600-0))

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1926. This is the First Church of Christ, Scientist circa 1926. The Greek influenced edifice was built in 1911 by Edward Young, contractor. It was designed by Tacoma architect Frederick Heath who also was responsible for Holy Rosary Church Rectory at 512 S 30th St, Washington Elementary School and many other schools and office buildings. The church remains located across the street from Wright Park.

First Church of Christ, Scientist (Tacoma); Christian Scientist churches--Tacoma;

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;