Members of the Foursquare Gospel Church congregate in front of their church building in December, 1951, for the first Cadet Rally. There are a large amount of smiling children present; many are holding onto huge balloons. Rev. Elsworth T. Johnson is listed as pastor according to the 1951 City Directory.

Protestant churches--Tacoma; Children & adults--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balloons--Tacoma; Foursquare Gospel Church (Tacoma);

Hallway outside of the main chapel at the First Presbyterian Church, Division and Tacoma Ave So., on Easter Sunday, 1951. Arched doorways and tiled floors figure importantly in the building's design. The building is heated by radiators, as can be seen on the right hand side of the picture.

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

29 elders of the First Presbyterian Church posed for a group picture on June 27, 1957. These men were officials at the church and were able to assist the pastor in his endeavors. The First Presbyterian Church was built in 1924 and was a prime example of Romanesque architecture. Photograph ordered by the First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Group portraits;

A new Aquinas Academy rose on the site of the former girls' school in 1957. A workman is shown on August 28, 1957, smoothing down a concrete walkway in front of the modern pre-fabricated concrete building. The original Aquinas Academy opened in Tacoma under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Dominic in 1899. The school was razed in October, 1955, and a new school with facilities for 400 students was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. The new Aquinas was dedicated on October 27, 1957, by Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly. The three-story building had 10 classrooms, a library, two science laboratories, a home economics room, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. It was built at a cost of $656,000. 1112 North "G" St. is now the site of the Saint Patrick School. When Aquinas vacated the building in 1974 to consolidate with Bellarmine and Saint Leo's as Bellarmine, Saint Patrick School left their 55-year-old building at North 11th & "J" and moved down the hill to occupy the newer Aquinas structure. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 10-27-57, B-8; www.saintpats.org) ) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma);

Interior of Calvary Baptist Church. Standing behind the pulpit is believed to be the Rev. Robert S. Hess, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. There is an abundance of wood in this church, from the long rows of pews to the arched and beamed ceilings. Rilco Laminated Products, Inc., may have supplied some of the wood products used in the sanctuary. Calvary Baptist Church has had a long history in Tacoma; it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1999. In June, 1997, a rare twister damaged the church buildings; it was subsequently rededicated in September, 1997. Photograph ordered by Calvary Baptist Church.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma;

Kitchen - First Congregational Church. The kitchen in the First Congregational Church was well equipped to handle hundreds of parishioners' dietary needs for church teas, luncheons, suppers, and receptions. The section of the kitchen shown in this September 17, 1957, photograph indicates that dishwashing would be fast and efficient. The Blakeslee Kitchen Machine may have been an industrial dishwasher. Photograph ordered by the Patrick Co., dealer in restaurant supplies.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; First Congregational Church (Tacoma);

Exterior of Holy Cross Catholic Church. The exterior of the new Holy Cross Catholic Church was photographed near Thanksgiving, 1957. The large church appears to be nearly completed, including tower with cross and arched windows, although the landscaping is yet to be done. Several piles of bricks are undercover, protected from the rain, as they might be necessary to extend the brick border in front of the pillars. Mill & Associates were the architects involved in the project; the contractors were the Jardeen Brothers. The new $250,000 church would be dedicated by the Archbishop of Seattle, the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly on December 2, 1957. The Sacrament would be carried in a procession by clergy and laymen from the old Holy Cross Church at No. 43rd and Shirley around the corner to the new church building after the final Mass in the old location. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 12-1-57, C-12)

Catholic churches--Tacoma; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma);

Exterior - Calvary Baptist Church. A brick tower with a simple cross stands between the Calvary Baptist Church and its auxiliary building in a February 7, 1958, photograph. The church is located in a brick building with a steep roofline. A cross is placed on one end of the building. The auxiliary building is a modern structure, also made of brick, with multiple windows. Calvary Baptist remains located today at 6511 South C St., a couple of blocks from Pacific Avenue. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminiated Products, Inc.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma;

Nine children, 7 boys and 2 girls, posed for their Consecration photograph with Rabbi Richard Rosenthal at Temple Beth Israel, No. 4th & J Sts, in September of 1956, a month after he had arrived from Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he had served as an army chaplain for two years. They were: back row, left to right: Doug Kleiner, unidentified, Rabbi Rosenthal, Marc Blau, Larry Heiman and Marty Lyon. Front row, left to right: Glen Barde, Stacey Simon, Jonathan Hurst and Lisa Drost. Many of the children's parents were well known in the community, both in business and civic activities. Born in Germany, Rabbi Rosenthal came to the U.S. in 1939 and settled in Shreveport, La. He was a graduate of the Centenary College in Shreveport and was ordained at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in 1954. He and his wife Barbara lived at 409 North Sheridan Ave. Temple Beth Israel identified itself with the reform movement in Judaism. In 1960, it merged with the more Orthodox Congregation Talmud Torah. Rabbi Rosenthal led the combined congregations. The temple at 4th & J was sold in 1964 to the Apostolic Faith Church and the congregation moved to a new temple at So. 12th and Vassault. The old temple was known for its unusual stained glass windows, created as memorials to pioneer families. ("The History of Pierce County, Vol 1;" TNT 8/17/1956, pg. 4-article on Rabbi Rosenthal) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Rosenthal, Richard; Rabbis--Tacoma; Judaism--Tacoma; Temple Beth Israel Synagogue (Tacoma); Synagogues--Tacoma; Kleiner, Doug; Blau, Marc; Heiman, Larry; Lyon, Marty; Barde, Glen; Simon, Stacey; Hurst, Jonathan; Drost, Lisa;

Studio portrait of Rabbi Richard Rosenthal. In 1956, Rabbi Richard Rosenthal replaced Rabbi Bernard Rosenberg at Temple Beth Israel. This first Jewish congregation in the Tacoma area was organized in 1892 and identified itself with the reform movement in Judaism. Later in 1960, Temple Beth Israel and another more traditionally-minded congregation, Talmud Torah (later renamed Sinai Temple) merged into one community, Temple Beth Israel. Rabbi Rosenthal was elected to lead the combined congregation. Rabbi Rosenthal was a well-known community leader and well respected by all faiths. Besides leading Temple Beth Israel, he also taught at the University of Puget Sound. He was a German immigrant, coming to the U.S. in 1939, and a graduate of the Centenary College of Shreveport, La. and the Hebrew Union College in Cincinatti. He and his wife Barbara resided at 409 No. Sheridan Ave. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 15 and TNT 8/17/1956, pg. 4)

Rosenthal, Richard; Rabbis--Tacoma;

The First Presbyterian Church Orchestra practices arrangements from the Tabernacle Hymns on March 21, 1957. The young musicians are shown playing violins, clarinets, trumpets, trombone and cello with piano accompaniment. They are performing in one of the many rooms located in the massive brick Romanesque structure which was designed by famous architect Ralph Adams Cram of Boston. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church Orchestra (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma;

Interior of the main worship area at the dedication of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church, photograph ordered by the Catholic Northwest Progress. The new church was consecrated in special ceremonies and services on March 19 & 20, 1955. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle, consecrated the church's main altar on Saturday, March 19th. He assisted in the blessing and laying of the cornerstone. Following that ceremony, the parishioners entered their new church for services. The new church could seat 700. The Architectural firm of McGuire and Muri designed the building; the builder was Strom Construction. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

Sacred Heart Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--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;

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.;

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;

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;

Designed by Silas A. Nelson, the modernistic Central Seventh Day Adventist Church at 615 North Sprague Avenue was built in 1952. It is triangular in shape, measuring 154 feet on the Sprague Avenue side, 142 feet on the Sixth Avenue approach and 89 feet on the side facing Grant Avenue. Much of the plywood framing work for the poured concrete walls was done by church members who donated their labor. The first service was held in the church in August of 1953, but it was not officially dedicated until February 1963, when the building was free of debt. In the background is the more traditional spanish gothic design First United Presbyterian Church at 1619 Sixth Ave, by 1958 known as Trinity United and shortened to Trinity in the 1990's.

Churches--Tacoma; Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (Tacoma);

Copy of a customer's print, McGuire & Muri, Architects; artist's rendering of the St Mary's Parish Church & Parrish Hall, Seaview, Wa.

Catholic churches--Seaview, Wa.;

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;

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 and exterior exposures of St. Charles Borromeo Church and buildings were taken on September 8, 1958. This view has been identified by a reader as the front hall/entryway of St. Charles Borromeo School. There is a large statue of St. Joseph holding a small child on the left. Trophy and display cases now flank the statue today. Over 200 children, up to the sixth grade, were enrolled in the new school taught by Franciscan sisters.The church sanctuary, school, parish hall, gym, convent and rectory may have been completed in 1958. The church building was finished in 1969. Photograph ordered by St. Charles Borromeo Church. (TNT 9-20-58, p. 4) (Additional information provided by a reader)

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma;

Dark laminated beams draw attention to the arched wooden ceilings of Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn. The eye is caught, not only by the dramatic arches, but by the large, simple cross on the brick tower behind the altar. The arches serve to focus concentration on the cross. This July 17, 1958, photograph was taken from the rear of the church, possibly in the choir loft or balcony. From this viewpoint the many rows of wooden pews can be seen. The new $100,000 building included church offices and a conference room in addition to the sanctuary. Built on a concrete slab with glue-laminated arches and partial brick veneer, the Lutheran church was dedicated on Sunday, July 13, 1958 by Dr. Swen L. Swenson. Rev. Carlton L. Berg was to be the new pastor. The church was located at 4th and "H" Sts. N.E. in Auburn. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc. (TNT 7-12-58, p. 4)

Messiah Lutheran Church (Auburn); Lutheran churches--Auburn; Laminated wood;

Interior of unidentified church near Seattle-Tacoma Airport, taken on June 28, 1962. Photograph features unusual open-beamed ceiling, apparently circular, with suspended lighting. Note there are no pews, only folding chairs. There is plenty of natural light with skylight and large windows. This is probably the hexagonal chapel of the Wayside Congregational Christian Church. Located in a former swampy area in Federal Way at Maltby Rd. & 312th St., the newly completed cedar building was connected by a bridge to an education building. Photograph ordered by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association. (TNT 7-25-62, A-9)

Churches;

Interior view of the Temple Beth El's South Temple on May 28, 1964. The Star of David is carved onto the many pews in the sanctuary as well as on the large circular window behind the curtained Ark. Two menorahs flank the bimah. Temple Beth El's South Temple was known as the Talmud Torah Synagogue. It was built in 1925 in the classic Italian Renaissance style with arched ceilings and glass windows. Talmud Torah Synagogue, although more traditionally minded, had merged with Temple Beth Israel in 1960. Now called Temple Beth El, it would sell its North Temple on No. 4th & J in 1964 to the Apostolic Faith Church; four years later, the Tacoma Blood Bank would acquire the Talmud Torah property. It was demolished and a parking lot established in its place. A new synagogue for the combined congregations was dedicated in 1968 at So. 12th & Vassault. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 15) Photograph ordered by Tacoma Realty.

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

McKinley Park Christian Church. Located near E. 40th & Spokane St., the McKinley Park Christian Church had been a presence in the neighborhood for nearly fifty years. The brick-and-wooden church was topped with a white steeple. It had a slanted ramp for those unable to walk up the small stairs. According to the 1965 City Directory, the Rev. Marvel D. Dunbar was pastor of the church. Photograph ordered by Percy Ball, A.I.A.

McKinley Park Christian Church (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1960-1970;

View of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Located at the corner of So. 43rd and So. "L," St. Paul's Methodist Church announced its Golden Jubilee celebration in 1940. A tent structure served as the church in 1890 until a permanent building was erected the following year; designed as a "lecture room and classroom," it was used as the church until a new building was completed in 1905. Through the years many improvements were made to the church property including new windows. Rev. Charles R. Davenport was listed as the pastor in the 1967 City Directory.

St. Paul's Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma;