Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Tacoma, Wash.)

Gethsemane Lutheran was formed through a merger of two congregations which stretch back into the history of Tacoma.

Grace Lutheran had its beginnings in 1923 as an interdenominational Sunday school. In 1924, when the church became Lutheran, they erected their facility at 73rd and Park.

St. Paul Lutheran was established in 1891 by Rev. J. J. Mylund, who conducted services in a rented building which served as both church and parsonage. In 1904 a facility was built at 13th and L Streets.

With the merger of the congregations in 1962 under Rev. Carl Laursen, the combined group met in the facilities of Grace Lutheran. A new facility was dedicated on February 16, 1964, and several years later an educational wing was completed. In 1998, the congregation merged with Bethel Lutheran Church and founded the United Lutheran Church.

From the guide to the Gethsemane Lutheran Church Records, 1962-1998, (Pacific Lutheran University)