Mission guide

Washington Tacoma Mission

Tacoma’s railroad, harbor, and Church history meet in the Washington Tacoma Mission.

  • English
  • Spanish
Shop the shirts
Washington Tacoma Mission Heart Map design

Washington Tacoma Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Washington Tacoma Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

Washington Tacoma Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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Washington Tacoma Mission Heart Map shirt in White: Washington outline with a red heart, front view

Washington Tacoma Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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Washington Tacoma Mission Flag Map shirt in White: Washington state flag in the outline of Washington with navy lettering, front view

Washington Tacoma Mission Flag Map Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in English on White: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Spanish on White: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Spanish

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Spanish, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Spanish

$29.00

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About the mission

The Washington Tacoma Mission is based in the Tacoma area of Washington State, with Tacoma as its main city.

Missionaries speak English and Spanish.

At a glance

Country
United States (Washington)
Main city
Tacoma (219,346 residents in 2020)
Time zone
Pacific Time (UTC−8 standard time)
Climate
Warm-summer Mediterranean, with warm summers and wet winters
Church in Washington
278,576 members, 62 stakes, 473 congregations

A short history of the area

The Tacoma area was inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans, most recently the Puyallup people. In 1852, Swedish immigrant Nicolas Delin built a water-powered sawmill near Commencement Bay. Job Carr built a cabin and post office in 1864, and developer Morton M. McCarver later named the settlement Tacoma City after an Indigenous name for Mount Rainier. Tacoma was founded in 1872 and incorporated in 1875.

Tacoma became the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1873. The city grew quickly after the railroad link was completed in 1887. Tacoma is also remembered for the 1940 collapse of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, nicknamed “Galloping Gertie.” Since the early 1990s, downtown Tacoma has experienced major revitalization.

The Church here

  1. 1854Four missionaries serving in California were sent to labor in the Washington and Oregon territories, and enough converts joined to form a congregation along the Lewis River.
  2. 1899The first branch in Washington was organized in Tacoma on December 24 with 21 members.
  3. 1930Washington had 1,900 Church members in eight congregations, with chapels in Everett, Spokane, Seattle, and Olympia.
  4. 1978The Washington Spokane Mission was created on July 1.
  5. 1980A temple was completed in Seattle.
  6. 1990The Washington Tacoma Mission was created on July 1.
  7. 1999The Spokane Washington Temple was completed and dedicated.
  8. 2001The Columbia River Washington Temple was completed and dedicated.

Temples nearby

Tacoma Washington Temple

Announced · Near Tacoma

Seattle Washington Temple

Dedicated November 17, 1980 · About 25 miles from Tacoma

Marysville Washington Temple

Announced · About 55 miles from Tacoma

Victoria British Columbia Temple

Under construction · About 90 miles from Tacoma

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

English Read it free → Spanish Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

  • HolaHello
  • Buenos díasGood morning
  • GraciasThank you
  • ¿Cómo está?How are you?

Fun facts

  • Tacoma’s motto became “When rails meet sails” because the railroad connected with its deep-water harbor at Commencement Bay.
  • During a 30-day power shortage in the winter of 1929–1930, the USS Lexington supplied Tacoma with electricity.
  • Point Defiance Park covers 700 acres and is described as one of the largest urban parks in the country.

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