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:
71-year-old woman becomes nun.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 71-YEAR-OLD WOMAN BECOMES NUN #3336 REGINA, Saskatchewan -- Mrs. Joseph Mercier, 71-year-old widow, said to be the oldest woman ever to join a religious order in Saskatchewan, has taken vows in the Convent of the Precious Blood here. Photo at left shows her with her late husband, while at right she is pictured in her nun’s garb with two of her three daughters, Sister Marie-Rose and Sister Marie Odilia of the Order of Our Lady of Auvergne, of Ponteix. A third daughter, Mrs. Adrien Liboiron, also of Ponteix, was at the ceremony at which she took her vows. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (PWD-REGINA-MES-4C-6-C)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359608
Title:
Street evangelist.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 3323 Japanese Christian Youth delivers Gospel message to group of interested Japanese on street corner in Tokyo residential district.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359606
Title:
German church official.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: GERMAN CHURCH OFFICIAL #3318 FRANKFURT, Germany -- Dr. Hans Werner Jensen (above) is assistant general secretary of the Evangelical Church in Germany. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4C-6-W-L)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359605
Title:
Detroit billboard combat prejudice.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: DETROIT BILLBOARD COMBAT PREJUDICE #s-c-3637 DETROIT -- The first of 26 posters aimed at combatting religious and racial prejudice is dedicated here by a group of Detroit religious leaders and laymen. The posters are sponsored by the Detroit Round Table of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RNS-MES-5D-6-C-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement--Michigan--Detroit., Interdenominational cooperation--Michigan--Detroit., Racism--Religious aspects., Civil rights--United States., Freedom of religion--United States., Billboards--Michigan--Detroit.
Geographic subjects:
Detroit (Mich.), United States--Race relations.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359603
Title:
Bible Society leaders confer.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: BIBLE SOCIETY LEADERS CONFER #S-3670 LONDON -- Dr. Eric M. North, a general secretary of the American Bible Society (right) discusses the organization of the newly-established International Council of Bible Societies with Dr. Hans Lilje of Evangelical Church of Germany. The new International Council will coordinate the work of Bible agencies throughout the world. Headquarters will be here, but branch offices are planned in various areas as the need arises. First of the branch offices will be set up in Geneva shortly. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (SL-LON-MES-5D-6-W-B)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., American Bible Society., North, Eric M. (Eric McCoy), 1888-1980., International Council of Bible Societies (London, England), Lilje, Hanns, 1899-1977.
Topics:
Bible--Publication and distribution--Societies, etc., Clergy--England--London., Congresses and conventions--England--London.
Geographic subjects:
London (England)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359602
Title:
Japanese Bible class.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: JAPANESE BIBLE CLASS #S-3649 TOKYO -- Former Japanese soldiers and army nurses are shown at a Bible class meeting held in a U.S. Army hospital here. Lt. John H. Thomas, Jr., of Montgomery, Ala., is leading the meeting with American GIs and officers (right) also participants. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (J-TOK-MES-5D-6-W-E)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Thomas, John H.
Topics:
Soldiers--United States., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Japan., Christianity--Japan., Evangelistic work--Japan--Tokyo., Soldiers--Japan., Nurses--Japan--Tokyo., Christianity--Societies, etc.
Geographic subjects:
Tokyo (Japan)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359601
Title:
Committee sponsors canning drive.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: COMMITTEE SPONSORS CANNING DRIVE #S-3647 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An interfaith committee here has launched a program to save surplus crops from going to waste by canning them for overseas relief. Here two younger volunteers are preparing spinach prior to actual canning. The crops are gathered from throughout all of Duval County, and canning kitchens are manned by different denominations on different days. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JJ-MES-5E-6-W-M)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief., Emergency food supply., Canning and preserving--Florida--Jacksonville., Spinach--Preservation., Canning and preserving--Equipment and supplies.
Geographic subjects:
Jacksonville (Fla.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359600
Title:
Missionaries receive blessings at shrine of martyr.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: MISSIONARIES RECEIVE BLESSINGS AT SHRINE OF MARTYR #S-3645 AURIESVILLE, N.Y. -- Jesuit missionaries who shortly will return to the Philippines and Japan are blessed by the Rev. Demetrius B. Zema, S.J., director of the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs here. Statue honors the memories of St. Isaac Jogues, first saint to be martyred on American soil. The Jesuit missionary was killed on approximately this same spot by the Mohawk Indians. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (AK-NY-MES-5D-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Missions--Japan., Catholic Church--Missions--Philippines., Zema, Demetrius B., Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs (Auriesville, N.Y.), Jogues, Isaac, Saint, 1607-1646--Monuments.
Topics:
Missionaries--New York (State)--Auriesville., Missions--Japan., Missions--Philippines., Benediction--Catholic Church., Clergy--New York (State)--Auriesville.
Geographic subjects:
Auriesville (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359599
Title:
Babes in church.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: BABES IN CHURCH #s-3617 SOUTHAMPTON, England -- The problem of what to do with the younger generation when mother wants to go to church has been solved at St. James church near here. Mother goes to church--and brings baby and carriage right along, as shown in this photo. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (UCPH-TOR-CAN-MES-5D-6-W-D)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Church of England--Liturgy.
Topics:
Children in public worship--England--Southampton., Motherhood--Religious aspects., Infants--England--Southampton.
Geographic subjects:
Southampton (England)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359598
Title:
Dr. Mott addresses agricultural missions group.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: DR. MOTT ADDRESSES AGRICULTURAL MISSIONS GROUP #S-3609 NEW YORK -- Dr. John R. Mott, chairman of the board of director of Agricultural Missions, Inc., addresses the annual luncheon of the group here. Others shown here are (left to right): Dr. Henry C. Taylor, Farm Foundation; Dr. A.R. Mann, director of the General Education Board; Dr. Channing H. Tobias, director of the Phelps-Stokes Fund; Dr. C.W. Chang, dean of the College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Nanking; Dr. Mott; Dr. Howard R. Tolley, head of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; John H. Reisner, executive secretary of Agricultural Missions, who will leave shortly for a six-month tour of India; the Rev. W. Don McClure, United Presbyterian Church missionary in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan; Dr. M.L. Wilson, director of extension service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Harold B. Allen, educational director of the Near East Foundation. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (SS-NY-MES-5C-6-W-M)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Agricultural Missions, Inc. (New York, N.Y.), Agricultural Missions, Inc. (New York, N.Y.)--Congresses., Mott, John R. (John Raleigh), 1865-1955.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--New York (State)--New York., Agricultural assistance--Societies, etc., Agricultural development projects.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359597
Title:
Washington listening post.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: WASHINGTON LISTENING POST #S-3583 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Dr. Benson Y. Landis is the one-man listening post of the Federal Council of Churches in Washington, D.C. He furnishes information and advice on legislative matters of interest to the churches. Dr. Landis is on leave as associate director of the Federal Council’s Department of Research and Education. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RNS-MES-5C-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Landis, Benson Y. (Benson Young), 1897-1966., Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. Department of Research and Education.
Topics:
Authors--Washington (D.C.)
Geographic subjects:
Washington (D.C.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359596
Title:
Alaskan elder.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: ALASKAN ELDER #S-3575 ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- One of the most interesting delegates to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. here was Elder Roy Ahmaogak (above) of the Ootkeavich Presbyterian church of Barrow, Alaska, most northerly community on the North American continent. His trip here was the first time in his life he had journeyed below the Arctic Circle. The 48-year-old native of Alaska has acted as an interpreter among the Eskimos since his youth. He has been an elder for 15 years, and was licensed to teach the Gospel two years ago. He will go Oklahoma to work on a translation of the New Testament into Arctic Eskimo dialect. He then will attend Bloomfield Theological Seminary, N.J., to prepare for ordination to the Presbyterian ministry. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (CHAMP-FAIR-MES-5C-6-W-M)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Congresses., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly., Ahmaogak, Roy, 1898-1968.
Topics:
Elders (Church officers)--Alaska--Utqiaġvik., Elders (Church officers)--Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Congresses and conventions--New Jersey--Atlantic City., Bible--Translating--Oklahoma., Bible--Versions, Eskimo languages.
Geographic subjects:
Utqiaġvik (Alaska), Atlantic City (N.J.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359595
Title:
Heads new relief agency.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: HEADS NEW RELIEF AGENCY #s-3560 NEW YORK -- Harper Sibley, treasurer of the Federal Council of Churches, has been named president of Church World Service, newly-formed Protestant relief agency with headquarters here. Church World Service consolidates the work of the Church Committee for Overseas Relief and Reconstruction, the Church Committee for Relief in Asia, and the Commission for World Council Service. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JI-NY-MES-5B-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America., Sibley, Harper, 1885-1959., Church World Service.
Topics:
International relief., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359594
Title:
Directs material aid division.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: DIRECTS MATERIAL AID DIVISION #s-3422 GENEVA -- Frank Northam (above), British Methodist layman, has been named by the World Council of Churches to the newly-created post of business manager of its Material Aid Division. Dr. Sylvester C. Michelfelder, of Toledo, Ohio, formerly acting director of the Division, has become chairman of a staff committee directing material aid work. Northam, an accountant by profession, was with the British Ministry of Food during the war, later becoming supply assistant to UNRRA in London. His wife is the former Josephine Batchelder, of Los Angeles. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-5A-6-W-M)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Northam, Frank.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359581
Title:
The church comes to the prison.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: THE CHURCH COMES TO THE PRISON #s-3408 SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Inmates of the Chatham County Jail here participate in a Sunday Communion Service conducted by the Rev. H.E. Stipe, pastor of Grace Methodist church. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JS-SN-MES-5A-6-W-M)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Stipe, H.E., Methodist Church (U.S.)--Clergy., Methodist Church (U.S.)--Liturgy.
Topics:
Clergy--Georgia--Savannah., Church work with prisoners--Georgia--Savannah., Prisoners--Georgia--Savannah., Male prisoners--Georgia--Savannah., Jails--Georgia--Savannah.
Geographic subjects:
Savannah (Ga.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359578
Title:
Material aid leaders confer in Geneva.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: MATERIAL AID LEADERS CONFER IN GENEVA #s-3407 GENEVA -- Frank Northam (right), newly appointed business manager of the Material Aid Division of the World Council of Churches, listens to Dr. Sylvester C. Michelfelder, of Toledo, Ohio, (left) during a discussion of the problems facing the division. An accountant by profession, Northam relieves Dr. Michelfelder, who held the post of acting director. Dr. Michelfelder is now chairman of the World Council staff committee directing material aid work. Northam is a British Methodist. Richard Matthey of Switzerland (center) is the new purchasing agent for the division. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-5A-6-W-TO)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence., Northam, Frank., Matthey, Richard.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359577
Title:
Religious affairs director in Stuttgart.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR IN STUTTGART #s-3345 STUTTGART, Germany -- Dr. A. Arndt, former professor of Germanics at Louisiana State University, is in charge of religious affairs for the U.S. military government in the Stuttgart region. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4D-6-W-L)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Arndt, Karl John Richard., Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.)--Faculty.
Topics:
College teachers--Louisiana., Military government--Germany--Stuttgart., lcsh--Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Germany.
Geographic subjects:
Stuttgart (Germany)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359576
Title:
Gypsies honor patrons.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: GYPSIES HONOR PATRONS #3702 SAINTES-MARIES-DE-LA-MER, France -- To this small Mediterranean seaport on the Feast of Province every year come Catholic gypsies from France, Spain and other countries to pay tribute to their patronesses, St. Sara, and her mistresses, the two Saint Marys - believed to be Mary Jacob and Mary Salome, aunts of the Virgin Mary - who, according to tradition, landed as missionaries on the shores of Gaul in 42 A.D. In this photograph gypsies are seen escorting statues of the two Marys, placed in a small boat, to the sea, where they are borne into the surf to cries of “Vivent les Saintes Maries.” On the previous day, a procession is staged in honor of St. Sara, gypsy Saint. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (MP-PA-TFD-6A-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Romanies--France--Saintes-Maries., Ethnic festivals--France--Saintes-Maries., Festivals--France--Saintes-Maries., Saints--France--Saintes-Maries., Christian saints--France--Saintes-Maries.
Geographic subjects:
Saintes-Maries (France)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359575
Title:
Seeks guarantees for Christians in Lebanon.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: SEEKS GUARANTEES FOR CHRISTIANS IN LEBANON #c-3685 PITTSBURGH -- Christians in Lebanon want a United National guarantee of religious freedom, according to the Rt. Rev. Chor-Bishop Antoun Akl, a high dignitary of the Maronite (Eastern Rite) Catholic Church shown here (right) with the Rev. Elias Basil, pastor of St. Anne’s Syro-Maronite Catholic church. According to Bishop Akl, the Christians in Lebanon, only country in the Levant not dominated by Moslems, fear a pan-Arabic union. This would leave Lebanon Christians isolated in a Moslem world, Bishop Akl says, and they feel their religious liberties might be curtailed in such a situation. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (AMH-PITTS-MES-5D-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Akl, Antoun., Catholic Church--Maronite rite--Clergy., Basil, Elias.
Topics:
Freedom of religion--Lebanon., Clergy--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh., Christianity and other religions--Islam., Christianity and other religions--Lebanon., Islam--Relations--Christianity.
Geographic subjects:
Pittsburgh (Pa.), Lebanon.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359574
Title:
500,000 see crowning of Our Lady of Fatima.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 500,000 SEE CROWNING OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA #c-3618 FATIMA, Portugal -- A crowd estimated at 500,000 is shown watching the ceremonies at the crowning of Our Lady of Fatima here. The crowned statue is shown in the center foreground. Papal Legate Aloisi Cardinal Masella, Papal Nuncio to Brazil, performed the ceremony on the spot where apparitions of the Virgin took place on May 13, 1917. Our Lady of Fatima is the patron of Portugal. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (MAR-LIS-MES-5D-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Bishops., Aloisi Masella, Benedetto., Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint--Apparitions and miracles., Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint--Devotion to--Portugal.
Topics:
Ambassadors--Vatican City., Papal nuncios--Brazil., Fatima, Our Lady of., Bishops--Portugal--Lisbon., Christian patron saints--Portugal.
Geographic subjects:
Fátima (Portugal)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359573

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