Large Donation Boosts Effort To Save Tacoma's Holy Rosary Church

TACOMA, WA — A grassroots effort to save Tacoma's Holy Rosary church received a large cash infusion this week. Save Tacoma's Landmark Church announced a $1 million pledge from the Jack and Angela Connelly Family Foundation on the non-profit's website. The pledge includes a $500,000 donation, and the promise of an additional $500,000 in money to match all donations from the community until August 31, 2020.

In August, the Archdiocese of Seattle ordered the 99-year-old landmark be demolished due to safety concerns and needed repairs estimated in the range of $7 million to $18 million. KING 5 reports the group working to save the church estimates repairs needed to reopen the church would cost closer to $2.5 million. According to the non-profit, more than $400,000 in funds have been pledged by community members since August.

In October, Paul Etienne, the new Archbishop of Seattle, granted a temporary delay for the planned demolition, pending discussions with parish leaders. The closure was ordered by Etienne's predecessor, former Archbishop J. Peter Sartain.