Holy Rosary Church

Holy Rosary was formed in 1891 by German Catholics. Building lots were purchased at the current site and a small wood church was used for services. A parochial school was started in 1892. In 1912 congregational growth necessitated a new church. The old wooden church was closed and services were held for nine years in the school auditorium. The current church was dedicated in 1921.

Holy Rosary was formed in 1891 by German Catholics. Building lots were purchased at the current site and a small wood church was used for services. A parochial school was started in 1892. In 1912 congregational growth necessitated a new church. The old wooden church was closed and services were held for nine years in the school auditorium. The current church was dedicated in 1921. The stained glass windows are thought to have been made in Belgium. But contemporary newspapers were far less interested in the furnishings of the church than in the heating system. Reporters wrote prolifically about the unusual choice of electric heat for the new sanctuary. The church was the largest building in Tacoma heated by electricity at this time and several reports indicated that this was the first time a church on the West coast had used electricity for heat. Holy Rosary dominates the skyline of Tacoma and is a landmark structure that can easily be seen from the interstate highway. The tower is more than 200 feet high and was originally topped by a gold leaf and glass cross. The cross, lost in the 1965 earthquake, was replaced by a large aluminum one manufactured by students at Tacoma Vocational and Technical Institute in 1966