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PHOTO BY JOHN LARSON

JOYFUL SOUNDS. United Methodist Church leaders listen to the choir during the dedication ceremony.

At home in the heart of the city

By John Larson

The members of First United Methodist Church only moved a few blocks, but their journey took 19 months and involved millions of dollars. They have arrived at their destination, a once forsaken mass of concrete that has been transformed into Tacoma’s newest house of worship.

The church sold its former home of 90 years in 2006. Located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, the grand but aging structure required maintenance and renovations beyond the ability of the small congregation to pay for. MultiCare Health System paid $8 million for the church, which it tore down for an expansion of the emergency departments of Tacoma General and Mary Bridge Children’s hospitals.

First United Methodist spent $2.4 million to purchase the Bekins Moving & Storage Company building on Tacoma Avenue. Built in 1916, the structure underwent several expansions over the years. In recent years it was used to store evidence for Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

The congregation held its church services for 19 months at First Congregational Church while a $5.5 million renovation transformed the building into its new home.

Last July Rev. Monty Smith, who was pastor for 12 years, left for a position at Browns Point Methodist Church. He was replaced by Reverend Melvin Woodworth from Shoreline United Methodist Church.

The congregation began meeting in its new home a few weeks ago. On May 18 they celebrated its official dedication with many Methodist clergy as well as representatives of other faiths.

“This sanctuary is laying the foundation for all the experiences that will accumulate here,” said Mary Lynn, a member of the congregation.

Smith was on hand for the special day. He discussed the “leap of faith” taken to sell the old church and purchase the Bekins building. He thanked David Boe, the architect who made the vision of “bringing life to an old cement block” a reality.

Jamal Rahman, a cleric from the Muslim sect of Sufism, discussed how Muslims and Christians both worship the same God.

Rabbi Bruce Kadden from Temple Beth El expressed his hope that the new house of worship will help First Methodist spread “the universal message of serving God and serving our fellow man.”

“This new building brings a new and fresh outlook,” said Mayor Bill Baarsma. The move gives First United Methodist great opportunities to serve the physical and spiritual needs of people in the neighborhood, he added. “May God bless this house of worship in the heart of the City of Destiny.”

“You bring a rich history and a rich blessing to this part of the city,” said Reverend David Alger, executive director of Associated Ministries. The United Methodist Church has not been particularly vibrant in the Tacoma area in recent years, he said. Alger feels this building “can help give a rebirth to that enthusiasm.”

The five-story building has considerable space for the congregation and social causes it supports. The balcony level has office space for Habitat for Humanity of Washington State and the UMC district office.

The main floor has rooms for a nursery and Sunday school.

The basement has a social hall, kitchen and My Sister’s Pantry, a clothing and food bank started by the church.

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