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:
Church groups plan proxy action.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45116 CHURCH GROUPS PLAN PROXY ACTION NEW YORK -- The spring's round of annual corporation stockholders' meetings will see an increased number of proxy resolutions brought by church groups challenging corporation policies in Southern Africa and Guinea-Bissau. Stockholder challenges against 20 corporations were announced in New York by the Church Project on United States Investments in Southern Africa. At the press conference announcing the action were, from left to right: Mustafa Sam of the Organization of African Unity; Dr. Donald Wilson, chairman of the Church Project; the Rev. Sterling Cary, president of the National Council of Churches; Father Michael Daniel, superior general of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, and Timothy Smith, project director for the Interfaith Committee on Church Responsibility in Investments. Supporters of the project, which filed its first challenges in 1972, have increased from five denominations and the National Council of Churches last year to nine denominations and the NCC participating this year. For the first time the project is being supported by a Catholic agency -- the Atonement Friars. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO by Chris Sheridan (CS-NY-1B-74-DS)
Creator:
Sheridan, Chris. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Organization of African Unity., Sam, Mustafa., Wilson, Donald., Cary, W. (William) Sterling., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America., Catholic Church--Clergy., Franciscans., Daniel, Micheli Anthony., Smith, Timothy.
Topics:
Stockholders--New York (State)--New York., Capitalists and financiers--New York (State)--New York., International economic relations., Corporations--Investor relations--New York (State)--New York., International business enterprises--Religious aspects, Business--Religious aspects--Christianity.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Guinea-Bissau--Economic conditions--1974-, Africa, Southern--Economic conditions--1975-1994.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362531
Title:
Daniel Berrigan rejects award.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45069 DANIEL BERRIGAN REJECTS AWARD NEW YORK -- Blasting what he called his critics in the "armies of orthodoxy," Father Daniel Berrigan, S.J., has rejected the Gandhi Peace Award he was to receive in New York Jan. 9. Announcement that the 52-year-old priest had been selected for the honor brought protests from Jews and others angered by what they considered an anti-Israeli speech Father Berrigan made before an Arab student group in October. Refusing the award "brings me somewhat near to the spirit of Gandhi," he said in a letter to Promoting Enduring Peace, sponsor of the award. "lt is not a time for reward, but a time for labor". Father Berrigan said in the letter that American Catholic opposition to his peace efforts -- which led to imprisonment for burning draft records -- had expanded beyond the "bellicose dogmas of Cardinal Spellman." "Now it is on three fronts, Catholic, Protestant and Jewish, that the armies of orthodoxy appear, " he wrote. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS. SERVICE PHOTO (R-12D-73-DS)
Creator:
Tower News Service (New York, N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Berrigan, Daniel., Catholic Church--Clergy., Jesuits.
Topics:
Jewish-Arab relations., Judaism--Relations--Christianity., Christianity and other religions--Judaism., Award winners--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362519
Title:
Grim warning.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45059 GRIM WARNING NEW YORK -- A television reporter interviews a member of the Children of God religious sect as the group demonstrates near the United Nations in New York. Members of the group held placards proclaiming the Comet Kohoutek as a sign of the impending judgment of God. Kohoutek has taken on religious significance among some fundamentalist groups. The so-called "Christmas comet" is seen by some as a possible sign of the Second Coming of Christ, while others interpret it as a warning of impending doom. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (A-NY-12D-73-DS)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Children of God., Second Advent., Television feature stories--New York (State)--New York., Interviews--New York (State)--New York., Judgment of God., Fundamentalists--New York (State)--New York., Comets--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Kohoutek comet.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362518
Title:
Institutions face problems in New York.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45052 INSTITUTIONS FACE PROBLEMS IN NEW YORK NEW YORK -- The Jewish Theological Seminary of America's announcement that it is considering moving, perhaps outside New York City, focuses attention on Morningside Heights, an area of northern Manhattan with one of the heaviest concentrations of religious and educational institutions in the nation. Located within a few blocks of each other are Jewish Theological (1), Teachers' College (2), Columbia University (3), Barnard College (4), Union Theological Seminary (5), the Interchurch Center (6), Riverside Church (7) and the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine (8). The area is bounded on the east by Morningside Park (right) and on the west by the Hudson River. One pressing problem for the Jewish Theological Seminary and the other institutions is the need for more space. The seminary owns two partly empty apartment buildings which it wants to raze for a new structure. Legal snags, including tenant attempts to prohibit the razing of the buildings, have delayed construction for some nine years. Columbia and St. John the Divine faced similar problems in the past when they attempted to expand. Another issue in Morningside Heights is safety on the streets. There has been a rash of assaults in the area; last year a Columbia professor was killed less than a block from Jewish Theological Seminary. Employees of the Interchurch Center are warned not to go out alone at noon because of the high rate of muggings and stabbings in Morningside Heights. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-NY-12C- 73-DS)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Jewish Theological Seminary of America., Columbia University. Teachers College., Barnard College., Union Theological Seminary (New York, N.Y.), Interchurch Center (New York, N.Y.), Riverside Church (New York, N.Y.), Cathedral of St. John the Divine (New York, N.Y.)
Topics:
Religious institutions--New York (State)--New York., Rabbinical seminaries--New York (State)--New York., Universities and colleges--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Morningside Heights (New York, N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362516
Title:
Ordination as priests refused to women.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45039 ORDINATION AS PRIESTS REFUSED TO WOMEN NEW YORK -- Episcopal Bishop Paul Moore, Jr., refuses to ordain as priests five women deacons presented to him during the ordination of five male deacons at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. He permitted the women, however, to go through every part of the service except the laying on of hands. Bishop Moore, who supports the ordination of women to the priesthood, said he could not perform the rite until the Episcopal Church changes its stand against women priests. While the women did not win ordination, they were believed to be the first women ever formally presented to an Episcopal bishop for full clerical orders. The five women, each an ordained deacon in the New York Episcopal diocese, were the Rev. Carter Heyward, the Rev. Barbara Schlachter, the Rev. Emily Hewitt, the Rev. Carol Anderson and the Rev. Julia Sibley. The Episcopal diaconate -- a lower level of the clergy -- has been open to women for three years. The denomination's triennial General Convention last October refused to allow women priests, although a majority of the Church's bishops supported the measure. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (E-NY-12C- 73-DS)
Creator:
Anspach, Bruce. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Moore, Paul, 1919-2003., Episcopal Church--Bishops., Episcopal Church. Diocese of New York., Cathedral of St. John the Divine (New York, N.Y.), Heyward, Carter., Schlachter, Barbara., Hewitt, Emily C. (Emily Clark), 1944-, Anderson, Carol., Sibley, Julia.
Topics:
Ordination of women--New York (State)--New York., Deacons--New York (State)--New York., Women clergy--United States., Deacons--Episcopal Church., Women in the Episcopal Church--New York (State)--New York., Clergy--United States.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362513
Title:
Scripture tree.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45031 SCRIPTURE TREE NEW YORK -- People "untrim" a unique Christmas tree in the New York headquarters of the American Bible Society. The tree is laden with colorful Scripture selections of the first Christmas, in both English and Spanish, and visitors are invited to "untrim this tree." Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO by Chris Sheridan (CS-NY-12C-73-DS)
Creator:
Sheridan, Chris. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., American Bible Society.
Topics:
Christmas--New York (State)--New York., Christmas decorations--New York (State)--New York., Holidays--New York (State)--New York., Christmas trees--New York (State)--New York., Christmas tree ornaments--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362510
Title:
An empty chair.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45029 AN EMPTY CHAIR UNITED NATIONS, N.Y. -- An empty chair on the podium of the United Nations General Assembly was where United Methodist Bishop Abel T. Muzorewa was to have sat during the awarding of six U.N. Human Rights prizes. But the Rhodesian bishop was refused permission of his government to leave the country and his seat was left symbolically empty. Seated on the adjacent chair is Dr. Ahmed Esmat Abdel Meguid, who accepted the prize for the late Dr. Taha Hussein of Egypt. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-NY-12B-73-DS)
Creator:
United Methodist Communications Council (U.S.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United Nations General Assembly., Muzorewa, Abel Tendekayi, 1925-2010., United Methodist Church (U.S.). Zimbabwe Conference., United Methodist Church (U.S.). Rhodesia Conference., United Methodist Church (U.S.)--Clergy., Abdel-Meguid, Ahmed Esmat., Ḥusayn, Ṭāhā, 1889-1973.
Topics:
Award presentations--New York (State)--New York., Church and state--Zimbabwe., Human rights workers--Zimbabwe.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Southern Rhodesia.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362509
Title:
Dr. Espy: Vatican II top ecumenical event.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45028 DR. ESPY: VATICAN II TOP ECUMENICAL EVENT NEW YORK -- The retiring chief executive of the National Council of Churches sees the Second Vatican Council's impact on relations between Roman Catholicism and the rest of Christianity as the most important development in his ecumenical experience. Dr. R.H. Edwin Espy, an American Baptist layman, has held national and international conciliar posts since 1939. As a student, he was ecumenically involved before that. General secretary of the Protestant-Orthodox National Council since 1963, Dr. Espy did not hesitate in naming Vatican II when asked to describe the most significant ecumenical development of the last three decades. After his retirement on Dec. 31, Dr. Espy will head an interreligious project on religion and the U.S. bicentennial. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (R-12B-73-DS)
Creator:
Religious News Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America., Vatican Council (2nd : 1962-1965 : Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano), Catholic Church--Relations--Protestant churches., Espy, R. H. Edwin., American Baptist Convention.
Topics:
Lay ministry--Baptists., Ecumenical movement., American Revolution Bicentennial, 1976.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362508
Title:
Hospital opens playroom.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-45000 HOSPITAL OPENS PLAYROOM NEW YORK -- A playroom has been opened at the Downstate Medical Center hospital in New York to help children cope with hospitalization. Here, children play at the water table, a wooden stand with a plastic tray full of water which is usually surrounded by children sailing various objects or filling and emptying assorted cups and containers. Playroom supervisors said children often reveal their fears and misconceptions while playing with the puppets or the toy hospital that has been constructed in a bookcase. The miniature hospital includes scraps of wood, empty thread spools and bits of rubber tubing to suggest the treatment facilities of a hospital. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-NY-12B-73-DS)
Creator:
Fleury, P.J. (photographer), Downstate Medical Center (N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Downstate Medical Center (N.Y.)
Topics:
Children--Hospital care--New York (State)--New York., Hospitals--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362502
Title:
"Painless Sunday School" on CBS.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-44992 'PAINLESS SUNDAY SCHOOL' ON CBS NEW YORK --- "Be fruitful and multiply,'' Marshall Efron commands his friends Mr. 0wl, Mr. Woodpecker and other creatures during his reenactment of the fifth day in the creation of the world. The scene was shown on a new television series for children called "Marshall Efron's Illustrated, Simplified and Painless Sunday School" on CBS-TV. Launched on the first Sunday of December, the first five 30-minute segments will be shown weekly through Jan. 13. The other two parts will be shown in the Spring. Written by Mr. Efron, the character actor, and Alfa-Betty Olsen, the series features the telling of Bible stories and various "field trips" designed to underscore spiritual and moral values in the modern world. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (A-NY-12A-73-DS)
Creator:
CBS Broadcasting Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Efron, Marshall., CBS Television Network., Olsen, Alfa-Betty.
Topics:
Bible--Study and teaching., Children's television programs--New York (State)--New York., Storytelling--Religious aspects--Christianity., Television broadcasting--Religious aspects--Christianity., Church work with children--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362498
Title:
"Christmas Comet"
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-44987 'CHRISTMAS COMET' NEW YORK -- The appearance of the Comet Kohoutek, hailed by some as the "Christmas comet," is stimulating renewed discussions on the origin of the first Christmas star -- the star of Bethlehem. Astronomers expect the blazing Kohoutek, which is now appearing in southeastern skies before dawn, to be at its brightest around Christmas. It will disappear from view until Dec. 29 when it will be seen in the southwest. By the end of February, Kohoutek is expected to fade from view. Astronomers at the Hayden Planetarium in New York point out that three common theories are given to explain the star of Bethlehem: that it was a nova (a star that suddenly increases greatly in brilliance); that it was a comet; and that it was the "conjunction" of three planets aligned together and resulting in unusual brilliancy. While no explanation has been proven correct, Hayden Planetarium says astronomers appear to favor the conjunction theory -- mainly because comets were seen as an evil omen in ancient times, and there is no known comet appearing in the Middle East at the time of the birth of Jesus. This view of Kohoutek was made with the 48-inch Schmidt telescope at the Hale Observatories on Palomar Mountain, Calif. The small white lines were caused by stars during a 12-minute time exposure. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (A-LA-12A-73-DS)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Hayden Planetarium., Jesus Christ--Nativity., Palomar Observatory.
Topics:
Comets--New York (State)--New York., Star of Bethlehem., Astronomy in the Bible., Stars--Religious aspects--Christianity., Astronomy--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Kohoutek comet.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362497
Title:
Nun offers religious commentary on radio.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-45018 NUN OFFERS RELIGIOUS COMMENTARY ON RADIO NEW YORK -- Sister Mary Camille D'Arienzo, R.S.M., finds herself in the studios of WINS, a New York City all-news radio station, every Sunday when she offers a religious commentary. The nun, a member of the editorial staff of The Tablet, Brooklyn diocesan newsweekly, previously served at parochial schools and at the diocesan television center. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-NY-12B-73-DS)
Creator:
Schnaue, Hank. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., D'Arienzo, Camille, Sister Mary., WINS (Radio station : New York, N.Y.), Catholic Church., Sisters of Mercy.
Topics:
Nuns--New York (State)--New York., Radio broadcasters--New York (State)--New York., Women radio broadcasters--New York (State)--New York., Newspaper editors--New York (State)--New York., Women newspaper editors--New York (State)--New York., Radio broadcasting--Religious aspects--Catholic Church.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362480
Title:
The Cardinal gives a party.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-45016 THE CARDINAL GIVES A PARTY NEW YORK -- Cardinal Terence Cooke is surrounded by happy faces during his annual Christmas party for the children of the New York Foundling Hospital and the child-caring programs of the New York archdiocesan Catholic Charities. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (E-NY-12B-73-DS)
Creator:
EPA Newsphoto. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Cooke, Terence, 1921-1983., Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic Church. Archdiocese of New York (N.Y.), New York Foundling Hospital.
Topics:
Children's parties--New York (State)--New York., Christmas--New York (State)--New York., Holidays--New York (State)--New York., Church work with children--New York (State)--New York., Social work with children--New York (State)--New York., Cardinals--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362479
Title:
"The People Shop"
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-44997 'THE PEOPLE SHOP' NEW YORK -- Stopping for a sip of coffee and a moment's escape from the hustle and bustle of holiday-time New York City is routine in a third floor oasis of tranquility and fellowship appropriately dubbed "the people shop." That's not really its name. It's really The Grail Shop, at 6 West 37th St. in Manhattan, a commercial enterprise of sorts. But instead of "business as usual," it is a place to sit, to share, to sip coffee, to meet old friends -- and occasionally to purchase a gift, a religious article. All the profits from the shop, which sells a plethora of cards, sculptures, mobiles, books and records, go to Grailville, a farm-like center near Loveland, Ohio, that serves as headquarters for the Catholic lay women's organization. The Grail, founded in the Netherlands in the 1920s by five women students and a Jesuit priest, has become an international lay women's movement whose simple aim has been to "bring Christ to the world." Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (E-NY-12A-73-DS)
Creator:
Anspach, Bruce. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Clergy.
Topics:
Stores, Retail--New York (State)--New York., Church fund raising--New York (State)--New York., Laity--Catholic Church., Women in church work--Catholic Church.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362476
Title:
Hopeful that U.S. Catholics will join National Council.
Description:
Extended caption.
Creator:
Wright, Elliott. (author), Religious News Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America., Vatican Council (2nd : 1962-1965 : Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano), Catholic Church--Relations--Protestant churches., Espy, R. H. Edwin., American Baptist Convention.
Topics:
Lay ministry--Baptists., Ecumenical movement., American Revolution Bicentennial, 1976.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362471
Title:
The 'Christmas Comet' v.s. Bethlehem's Star.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Religious News Service. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Hayden Planetarium., Jesus Christ--Nativity., Palomar Observatory.
Topics:
Comets--New York (State)--New York., Star of Bethlehem., Astronomy in the Bible., Stars--Religious aspects--Christianity., Astronomy--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Kohoutek comet.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362469
Title:
"Painless Sunday School" on CBS.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
CBS Broadcasting Inc. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Efron, Marshall., CBS Television Network., Olsen, Alfa-Betty.
Topics:
Bible--Study and teaching., Children's television programs--New York (State)--New York., Storytelling--Religious aspects--Christianity., Television broadcasting--Religious aspects--Christianity., Church work with children--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362452
Title:
Child Life Program--Downstate Medical Center.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Fleury, P.J. (author), Downstate Medical Center (N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Downstate Medical Center (N.Y.)
Topics:
Children--Hospital care--New York (State)--New York., Hospitals--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362446
Title:
Institutions face problems in New York.
Description:
Extended caption.
Creator:
Religious News Service. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Jewish Theological Seminary of America., Columbia University. Teachers College., Barnard College., Union Theological Seminary (New York, N.Y.), Interchurch Center (New York, N.Y.), Riverside Church (New York, N.Y.), Cathedral of St. John the Divine (New York, N.Y.)
Topics:
Religious institutions--New York (State)--New York., Rabbinical seminaries--New York (State)--New York., Universities and colleges--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Morningside Heights (New York, N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362431
Title:
An empty chair.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Taylor, Winston H. (author), United Methodist Communications Council (U.S.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United Nations General Assembly., Muzorewa, Abel Tendekayi, 1925-2010., United Methodist Church (U.S.). Zimbabwe Conference., United Methodist Church (U.S.). Rhodesia Conference., United Methodist Church (U.S.)--Clergy., Abdel-Meguid, Ahmed Esmat., Ḥusayn, Ṭāhā, 1889-1973.
Topics:
Award presentations--New York (State)--New York., Church and state--Zimbabwe., Human rights workers--Zimbabwe.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.), Southern Rhodesia.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:362429

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