Iconic Tacoma church put on state endangered places list, but wrecking ball still looms

If there were an endangered species list for historical buildings, Tacoma’s Holy Rosary church surely would be on it.

Turns out there kind of is, and, as of Saturday, the nearly 100-year-old church is listed.

The church, which got a stay of execution from the Archdiocese of Seattle in October, has a dedicated and passionate following trying to knock the wrecking ball off course.

On Saturday, that non-profit group, Save Tacoma’s Landmark Church, got a moral boost from The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation when it named the Catholic church one of Washington’s Most Endangered Places.

The purpose of the list is to alert the public to important historic and cultural places under threat in Washington. The designation carries no official protections.

The church’s troubles began in November 2018 when a 5-by-5 foot piece of plaster ceiling fell into the choir loft at the church at 424 S. 30th St. After an inspection revealed numerous dangerous aspects inside and outside the building, a fence was erected around the church and its 210-foot-tall steeple. The building has since been unoccupied.

Holy Rosary has a distinct Gothic revival style and is in the form of a Latin cross, the Washington Trust said.

“In addition to its architectural merit, Holy Rosary’s significance is also due in part to its prominent place in the Tacoma skyline, thanks to its location at the terminus of Tacoma Avenue, a major north/south corridor in Tacoma, and its visibility from I-5,” the Trust said in an announcement.

The Washington Trust said it maintains the Most Endangered Places list as its flagship advocacy and awareness program.

The Save group has raised funds through awareness campaigns and a variety of events. In December, the group received a $500,000 pledge from The Jack and Angela Connelly Family Foundation.

The Save group says $2.249 million is needed to erect scaffolding and conduct repairs necessary to reoccupy the church. If $6.691 million more is raised the group could repair the roof and make structural repairs. A total of $17.6 million is needed to completely restore the church and replace aging electrical and heating systems.

Both groups are holding a “heart bomb” group photo event at the church on Feb. 15.