History

Urban Grace grew out of the historic First Baptist congregation which began in 1883. In the fall of 1882, Rev. J.C. Baker wrote to Joseph W. Beaven of Victoria asking him to go to Tacoma and open up the work there. He responded. On March 28, 1883 in Pincus and Packsheer's Hall on Pacific Avenue, then the only graded street in town, The First Baptist Church of New Tacoma – Washington Territory was organized. Since that time, thousands have entered the doors at 9th and D Streets (now Market Street) in the hopes of finding something to respond to themselves. The congregations found here have always had an acute sense of mission to God, to the church, and to the city.

At its high point, the congregation oversaw the building of the current structure, and the growth from 450 members in 1920 to 2,324 members in 1930. Throughout its history, the church has supported other Baptist churches, programs lending support to Japanese immigrants, Service Members during wartime, senior citizens, and the city’s homeless, to name just a few.

The dedication of the members to serving in the heart of Tacoma culminated in a radical and courageous reincorporation as Urban Grace in 2005, an interdenominational church drawing from their rich Baptist heritage as well as Presbyterian, Methodist, and Lutheran traditions. The present congregation seeks to serve God and the city through engagement in relationships, study, the arts, and service. On the foundation of past missions and the members who supported them, the current congregation continues the work started over 125 years ago ministering to the last, the lost, and the least.