Religious News Service Photographs

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About this Collection

Conceived by journalist Louis Minsky (1909-1957), Religious News Service (RNS) was established in 1934 as an affiliated but independently managed agency of the National Conference of Jews and Christians (later the National Conference of Christians and Jews), and was dedicated to providing authoritative and bias-free news about religion and ethics to both the secular and religious press. This collection contains photographs documenting Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish groups. Coverage of Protestants (especially mainline Protestants) and Catholics constitutes the bulk of the images. View the collection guide to learn more. Digitization of some of the images in this collection made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Featured image: Father James Groppi, the civil rights activist priest from Milwaukee, and militant leader Rennie Davis are taken into custody during an anti war demonstration a block from the White House.

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Title:
Tearful encounter with Santa Claus.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PHOTO NUMBER: PC-54019 Suggested for use with: CHRISTMAS ISSUES. TEARFUL ENCOUNTER WITH SANTA CLAUS. MINNEAPOLIS-- A little boy seems to be reacting to Santa's abundant whiskers, as he visits the jolly old gentleman for the first time during a recent Christmas season at a Minneapolis shopping center. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (Reproduction Rights Not Transferable) (A-MPL-9C-80-JH)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Christmas--Minnesota--Minneapolis., Children--Minnesota--Minneapolis.
Geographic subjects:
Minneapolis (Minn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:300795
Title:
Santa is a cop with a happy summons.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PHOTO NUMBER: PC-50607 SANTA IS A COP WITH A HAPPY SUMMONS BALTIMORE, Md. -- While many police departments are using decoy Santas to catch thieves during the holiday season, the Baltimore City Police are using one to put summons on parked cars. When the motorist takes time to read it, he discovers that it is not for a parking violation, but a summons to have a happy holiday and a reminder to lock his car. The imaginative approach is part of the department's anti-crime campaign. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (B-BAL-12B-77-JH)
Creator:
United Press International. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Christmas--Maryland--Baltimore., Law enforcement--Maryland--Baltimore.
Geographic subjects:
Baltimore (Md.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:300794
Title:
The excitement and joy.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-47800 THE EXCITEMENT AND JOY... (First of Two Photos) NEW YORK-- The excitement and joy of the Christmas season is written all over the faces of children as they meet Santa Claus. They were the guests of honor at the annual fund-raising party given for the youngsters of the New York Foundling hospital and other programs of the New York Catholic archdiocese. As Cardinal Terence Cooke, who hosted the party, said, "when you see the simplicity and joy of these children responding to the love of others, that's the real Christmas spirit of love and concern." (SEE ALSO RNS PHOTO PC-47801) Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO by John Lei (JL-NY-12B-75-DS)
Creator:
Lei, John C. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church. Archdiocese of New York (N.Y.), Cooke, Terence James, 1921-1983., New York Foundling Hospital.
Topics:
Christmas--New York (State)--New York, Child Welfare--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:300793
Title:
Santa arrives by rail.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-44950 SANTA ARRIVES BY RAIL SOUTH CARVER, Mass. -- The renowned Father Christmas, whose legendary geneology dates back to St. Nicholas, uses a unique mode of travel to connect the North Pole and the South Carver, Mass., Edaville Railroad recreation center.The ubiquitous Santa arrives at the Edaville depot "under his own steam" while pumping the handles of an oldtime handcar. With ruddy cheeks and his snow-white beard blowing in the wind, the red-garbed figure pulls into the station just ahead of the Edaville Railroad's Christmas Festival special. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (CB-BOS-11E-73-DS)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Edaville Railroad.
Topics:
Christmas--Massachusetts--South Carver., Railroad trains--Massachusetts--South Carver.
Geographic subjects:
South Carver (Mass.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:300792
Title:
Beautiful Santa.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C 39730 BEAUTIFUL SANTA DENVER -- Professional Santa Claus Jean Apperson sits patiently beneath a hair dryer during the finishing phase of his weekly shampoo, bleach, setting and styling of his silvery hair and beard. Mr. Apperson, who has been playing Santa for 31 years, gets his beauty treatment in Denver, not the North Pole. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (B-DEN-12C-69-DS)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Apperson, Jean.
Topics:
Christmas--Colorado--Denver.
Geographic subjects:
Denver (Colo.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:300791
Title:
Airborne Santa.
Description:
"Text transcribed from caption: PC-44928 AIRBORNE SANTA (First of Two Photos) RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas -- No sleigh for Santa in desolate Starr County, Texas. He flies a light plane, dropping Christmas gifts to the isolated families below. Santa is the Rev. James Gebhart, a Southern Baptist missionary to the ranchland families around Rio Grande City in south Texas. For the past three years he has been flying over the area just before Christmas Day, delivering his gifts.(SEE ALSO RNS PHOTO PC-44929) Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO By Don Rutledge (DR-GA-11D-73-DS)"
Creator:
Rutledge, Don. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Gebhart, James, Rev.
Topics:
Christmas--Texas--Rio Grande City., Gifts--Texas--Rio Grande City., Planes--Texas--Rio Grande City.
Geographic subjects:
Rio Grande City (Tex.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:294509
Title:
Airborne Santa.
Description:
"Text transcribed from caption: PC-44929 AIRBORNE SANTA (Second of Two Photos) RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas -- Even though they are wide awake and it's bright daylight when their ""airborne Santa"" makes his rounds of the Rio Grande City area, children are still excited to find the package of clothes, toys and candy he has dropped.Each year, Mr. Gebhart drops more than 150 Christmas gift packages to ranch families. The presents have been donated by Southern Baptist churches across the nation. Inside each parcel is a booklet telling the Christmas story so that families can read of the first Christmas in Bethlehem. (SEE ALSO RNS PHOTO PC-44928) Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO By Don Rutledge (DR-GA-11D-73-DS)"
Creator:
Rutledge, Don. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Gebhart, James, Rev.
Topics:
Christmas--Texas--Rio Grande City., Gifts--Texas--Rio Grande City.
Geographic subjects:
Rio Grande City (Tex.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:294508
Title:
Christmas dreams.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH CHRISTMAS, DECEMBER 25. CHRISTMAS DREAMS. #PI-12062 CREDIT MUST READ: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (WEM-SPR-O-9D-51-NAB-PI)
Creator:
McCuddy, W.E. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Christmas--Ohio--Springfield.
Geographic subjects:
Springfield (Ohio)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:294507
Title:
On Christmas Eve.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #PI-16713 FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH CHRISTMAS. ON CHRISTMAS EVE. Getting ready for a Christmas carol song fest. CREDIT MUST READ: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (FM-AMS-HOL-10E-54-NAB-PI)
Creator:
Ir. W.F. van Heemskerck Düker. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Christmas--Netherlands--Amsterdam.
Geographic subjects:
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:294506
Title:
Winter.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: Suggested for use: WINTER SEASON. PHOTO NUMBER: PCJ-50357. WINTER. These youngsters are all smiles as they slide swiftly over toboggan run at Shirlington Recreation Park near Reading, Pa. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (CP-SHI-10B-77-JH)
Creator:
Devine, Daniel A. (photographer), The Reading Eagle. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Winter--Pennsylvania--Reading., Tobogganing--Pennsylvania--Reading.
Geographic subjects:
Reading (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:294505
Title:
Christmas in Tokyo.
Creator:
Downs, Darley. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Christmas--Japan--Tokyo.
Geographic subjects:
Tokyo (Japan)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:294504
Title:
Churchman gets ready for cold.
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985., Foch, Martin C., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America., Elmendorf Air Force Base (Alaska)
Topics:
Christmas., Interdenominational cooperation., Military chaplains--Alaska--Anchorage.
Geographic subjects:
Anchorage (Alaska)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288247
Title:
Dr. Blake in Alaska.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-20060. DR. BLAKE IN ALASKA. ANCHORAGE, ALASKA -- Dr. Eugene Carson Blake of Philadelphia, President of the National Council of Churches, is fitted with arctic gear at Elmendorf Air Force Base here during his Christmas visit to American servicemen and chaplains of the Alaskan command. Assisting him is Chaplain (Col.) Martin C. Foch of the Alaskan Command. Dr. Blake made the journey as spiritual ambassador of the National Council's 30 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Communions and their 144,000 local churches. The visit marks the third consecutive year that he has spent the Christmas holidays with the men in the armed forces. CREDIT MUST READ: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (W-12C-56-NAB-P)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985., Foch, Martin C., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America., Elmendorf Air Force Base (Alaska)
Topics:
Christmas., Interdenominational cooperation., Military chaplains--Alaska--Anchorage.
Geographic subjects:
Anchorage (Alaska)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288246
Title:
Religious News Service press release.
Description:
Press release for the image, "Seminary decorated for Christmas."
Creator:
Religious News Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., St. Basil Mission Seminary (Methuen, Mass.), Salvatorians.
Topics:
Christmas., Theological seminaries--Massachusetts--Methuen., Christmas decorations--Massachusetts--Methuen.
Geographic subjects:
Methuen (Mass.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288205
Title:
Seminary decorated for Christmas.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-20044. SEMINARY DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS. METHUEN, MASS. -- St. Basil Mission Seminary here makes this striking picture when its elaborate Christmas decorations are lighted at night. The seminary, staffed by the Basilian Salvatorian Fathers, educates American-born candidates for priesthood in the Eastern Rites. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (CB-BOS-12C-56-NAB-C)
Creator:
Buckley, C. M. (photographer), Religious News Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., St. Basil Mission Seminary (Methuen, Mass.), Salvatorians.
Topics:
Christmas., Theological seminaries--Massachusetts--Methuen., Christmas decorations--Massachusetts--Methuen.
Geographic subjects:
Methuen (Mass.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288204
Title:
Christmas all over the world.
Description:
Boys choir sings Christmas carols at a Veterans' Hospital.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:149260
Title:
Christmas all over the world.
Description:
Further information provided by the Catholic War Veterans regarding photo of boys' choir singing Christmas carols at a Veterans' Hospital.
Creator:
Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Church World Service., Our Lady of Mercy Church (Bronx, New York, N.Y.), Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Veterans., World War, 1914-1918--Veterans., Veterans' hospitals--New York (State)--New York., Disabled veterans--New York (State)--New York., Caroling--New York (State)--New York., Christmas--New York (State)--New York., Boys' choirs--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:149126
Title:
Christmas all over the world.
Description:
Boys choir sings Christmas carols at a Veterans' Hospital.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Church World Service., Our Lady of Mercy Church (Bronx, New York, N.Y.), Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Veterans., World War, 1914-1918--Veterans., Veterans' hospitals--New York (State)--New York., Disabled veterans--New York (State)--New York., Caroling--New York (State)--New York., Christmas--New York (State)--New York., Boys' choirs--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:148304
Title:
Iron Curtain gets Christmas programs.
Description:
New York--A special Christmas Day program broadcast to Poland by Radio Free Europe is recorded in a studio here by Polish-American children. Similar messages of sympathy and Christmas cheer were broadcast to Catholics and Protestants in other countries behind the Iron Curtain by RFE and the Voice of America. Among the countries receiving the programs were Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Creator:
Radio Free Europe. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Christmas radio programs--Poland., Children's radio programs--Poland., Communist countries.
Geographic subjects:
Poland.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:11029

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