The fate of Holy Rosary Church in Tacoma and the efforts to save it
This list of stories illustrates the struggle to preserve Holy Rosary Church in Tacoma as it faces possible demolition. Repairs would reportedly cost millions. Local groups like Save Tacoma’s Landmark Church have raised funds and made proposals, including appeals to the Vatican.
Many, including the mayor and former parishioners, view Holy Rosary as an important part of Tacoma’s skyline and history. Disputes about property value, fundraising and legal control continue to shape the church’s uncertain future.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
NO. 1: TACOMA LANDMARK HOLY ROSARY WILL BE DEMOLISHED BY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Tacoma’s Holy Rosary Catholic Church will be permanently closed and demolished.That’s the decision given to congregants during evening mass Saturday by the Archdiocese of Seattle. | Published August 25, 2019 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 2: PARISHIONERS, OTHERS MAKE PLAN TO SAVE TACOMA’S HOLY ROSARY CHURCH FROM DEMOLITION
“Tacoma’s Notre Dame” is how former mayor and historian Bill Baarsma described Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Thursday night. | Published August 30, 2019 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 3: DESPITE GRIM OUTLOOK, ARCHBISHOP PUTS TACOMA’S HOLY ROSARY CHURCH DEMOLITION ON TEMPORARY HOLD
The new Archbishop of Seattle had a deadline last week to respond to an appeal to save Tacoma’s Holy Rosary Catholic Church from demolition. | Published October 15, 2019 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 4: TACOMA CHURCH MARKED FOR DEMOLITION GETS $500K GIFT WITH MORE PROMISED IF PUBLIC RESPONDS
“It is a special, beautiful, iconic church that does not need to be torn down. The loss of Holy Rosary would be a severe loss to Tacoma.” | Published December 4, 2019 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 5: ICONIC TACOMA CHURCH PUT ON STATE ENDANGERED PLACES LIST, BUT WRECKING BALL STILL LOOMS
The designation carries no official protection for Holy Rosary, which badly needs repairs. | Published January 24, 2020 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 6: TACOMA CATHOLIC PARISH WHOSE ICONIC CHURCH IS SLATED FOR DEMOLITION DECLARED UNVIABLE
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary must merge with another parish. | Published August 14, 2020 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 7: LANDMARK TACOMA CHURCH FACES SALE, LIKELY DEMOLITION AFTER ARCHDIOCESE CALLS IT ‘PROFANE’
The Archdiocese of Seattle relegated Holy Rosary to profane use, a religious term that means it can no longer be used for Catholic worship. | Published June 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 8: WILL TACOMA’S LANDMARK CATHOLIC CHURCH BE SAVED? HERE’S ONE GROUP’S PROPOSAL
A group has formed to purchase and save it from demolition. But will the Archdiocese accept the offer? | Published August 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
NO. 9: HOLY ROSARY CHURCH STILL AT RISK OF DEMOLITION. HERE’S WHERE THINGS STAND NOW | OPINION
Local Catholics don’t agree on whether restoring the church is practical. The complicated questions must be decided according to church law. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Laura Hautala
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.