Tacoma City Councilmembers are scheduled Nov. 24 to consider a resolution that would designate the Urban Grace Church, located at 902 Market St., as a historic landmark and add the property to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission first reviewed the nomination in August, and held a public hearing Sept. 23.

According to the nomination, which was prepared by preservationist Caroline T. Swope and the Urban Grace congregation, and submitted to the city’s historic preservation office earlier this year, the Gothic Revival style building dates back to 1924, was designed by prominent architects Heath, Gove and Bell, and is believed to be the oldest continuously used location for Christian religious services in the city. The building has 53 rooms, including an auditorium which seats 1,250, a banquet hall with a stage which seats 500, a kitchen, nursery room, small chapel, choir rooms, and the pastor’s study. In April 2005, the congregation of First Baptist voted to allow a new congregation to form: ‘Urban Grace – The Downtown Church.’ The congregation remains active today.

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For earlier Tacoma Daily Index coverage of Urban Grace Church, click on the following links:

LPC will review First Baptist Church / Urban Grace historic nomination — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1610623&more=0

Outdoor mural proposed for historic Rialto Theater — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1598958&more=0

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