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:
Why church relief is needed.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-963 WHY CHURCH RELIEF IS NEEDED This scene, showing G.I.’s feeding Italian children leaving from an American mess near Naples, typifies the urgent need for relief supplies to Europe. American churches are now engaged in a drive to send supplies to Europe to supplement efforts of government agencies. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JGR-MAR-JGR-11-8-5)
Creator:
Roberts, John. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
War relief--Italy--Naples., Reconstruction (1939-1951), Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., Church work with children--Italy--Naples., Food relief--Italy--Naples.
Geographic subjects:
Naples (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358923
Title:
World Communion Sunday.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-1065 WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY Protestants all over the world participated in Communion services such as this in celebration of World Communion Sunday October 6. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RKP-RO-MES-10A-6-W)
Creator:
Pedersen. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement., Interdenominational cooperation., Special days., Protestant churches--Customs and practices.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358922
Title:
United Church Canvass opens.
Description:
Text transcribed from annotations: S-1028 UNITED CHURCH CANVASS OPENS NEW YORK -- Officials of the United Church Canvass confer on last-minute details of the joint fundraising and educational campaign to be held in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, November 18 - December 2. The Rev. Stanley I. Stuber, director of the Canvass (left), points to the official campaign poster showing boy clasping a Bible. Holding the poster is John M. Johansen, treasurer of the Canvass. At right is the Rev. Dr. A. D. Stauffacher, chairman of the planning committee. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (MC-NY-LM-11-15-5)
Creator:
Caputo. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Stuber, Stanley I. (Stanley Irving), 1903-1985., American Baptist Convention--Clergy., Johansen, John M., Stauffacher, A. D.
Topics:
Educational planning--New York (State)--New York., Fund raising--New York (State)--New York., Meetings--New York (State)--New York., Interdenominational cooperation.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358921
Title:
Church relief campaign poster.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-1026 CHURCH RELIEF CAMPAIGN POSTER This poster which seeks to rally churches of the United States behind the campaign for relief for millions of people overseas will appear in thousands of churches and other agencies throughout the country. It is being issued by the Church Committee on Overseas Relief and Reconstruction, with headquarters in New York. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (EH-NY-LM-11-15-5)
Creator:
Church Committee for Overseas Relief and Reconstruction. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Church Committee for Overseas Relief and Reconstruction.
Topics:
Posters., War relief., Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358920
Title:
Bishop of Chichester in Berlin.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-1004 BISHOP OF CHICHESTER IN BERLIN BERLIN -- A little German refugee crouches by a fire at Lehrter Station and watches the Anglican Bishop of Chichester, Dr. G. K. A. Bell (directly behind the little girl). Dr. Bell was touring Berlin to inspect conditions on behalf of the World Council of Churches. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (MCE-NY-LM-11-13-5)
Creator:
Acme Newspictures (New York, N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin, Germany), World Council of Churches., Bell, G. K. A. (George Kennedy Allen), 1883-1958., Church of England--Bishops.
Topics:
Visits of state--Germany--Berlin., War relief--Germany--Berlin., Interdenominational cooperation., European cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951)
Geographic subjects:
Berlin (Germany)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358919
Title:
M.R. Zigler.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #932 M.R. ZIGLER M.R. Zigler, executive secretary of the Brethren Service Committee, is pictured during his visit to the World Council of Churches, Geneva, He came as representative of the World Council Service Commission and the Church Committee for Overseas Relief and Reconstruction, to survey European needs for clothing, wheat, flour, rice, corn, oatmeal, heifers, etc. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-LM-11-5-5)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Zigler, M. R., Brethren Service Committee., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches. Commission for World Council Service., Church Committee for Overseas Relief and Reconstruction.
Topics:
Visits of state--Switzerland--Geneva., War relief--Europe., Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951)
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358906
Title:
Lutheran leader reports on relief needs.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #851 LUTHERAN LEADER REPORTS ON RELIEF NEEDS BERNE, Switzerland -- Dr. S.C. Michelfelder (standing), acting director of the new material aid division, World Council of Churches, reads report of misery in Central Europe to a press conference in Berne at which the International Red Cross and the Save the Children International Union, launched an appeal for immediate aid to prevent the starvation and freezing of millions of European children. At table are Father Alois Stegerwald, Lucerne, representative of Carita Catholica Internationalis, Catholic welfare agency, and George Thelin, Geneva, general secretary of the Save the Children Union. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-RR-10245)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-, World Council of Churches., Save the Children International Union., International Committee of the Red Cross., Thelin, George., Caritas Internationalis., Stegerwald, Alois, 1904-
Topics:
Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951), War relief--Europe., Administrative remedies--Europe., Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Bern.
Geographic subjects:
Bern (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358869
Title:
Religious leaders launch world relief appeal.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #850 RELIGIOUS LEADERS LAUNCH WORLD RELIEF APPEAL BERNE, Switzerland -- Representatives of world organizations of three faiths held a press conference at the Hotel Metropole Monopole in Berne to launch a common, world-wide appeal in behalf of “millions of children in imminent danger of starving and freezing as winter comes to Europe.” They are (left to right) Dr. Gerard Riegner, director of the Geneva office of the World Jewish Congress; Dr. S.C. Michelfelder, Toledo, Ohio, Lutheran, now acting director of the material aid division, World Council of (Protestant-Orthodox) Churches; and Father Alois Stegerwald, Lucerne, representative of Caritas Catholica Internationalis, Catholic welfare agency. The three religious groups joined with the international Committee of the Red Cross and with the Save the Children International Union in making the appeal. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-RR-10245)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Riegner, Gerhart M., World Jewish Congress., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-, World Council of Churches., American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Stegerwald, Alois, 1904-, Caritas Internationalis., Save the Children International Union., International Committee of the Red Cross.
Topics:
Press conferences--Switzerland--Bern., Interdenominational cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951), War relief--Europe.
Geographic subjects:
Bern (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358868
Title:
First Eastern Orthodox ecumenical Mass.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #848 FIRST EASTERN ORTHODOX ECUMENICAL MASS The first ecumenical Mass ever held in the New World by the Eastern Orthodox Church was celebrated in New York’s Greek Cathedral. Prelates participating (all wearing mitres) are, from left to right: Russian Archbishop Adam of New York; Archbishop Alexei of Yaroslavl; Russian Bishop Theodore, of Chicago; and Bishop Germanos, of the Greek archdiocese. Gathered around the altar are representatives of the Serbian, Rumanian [sic. Romanian], and Armenian-Georgian Orthodox churches. In the center, also wearing a mitre, is newly-promoted Archimandrite Christopher of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has just been invested with the robes of his office. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-NY-TFD-10235)
Creator:
Caputo. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (New York, N.Y.), His Eminence Adam (Philippovsky), Acting Exarch, Archbishop of the Aleutian Islands and North America., Russkai︠a︡ pravoslavnai︠a︡ t︠s︡erkovʹ--Bishops., Alexei, Archbishop of Yaroslav and Rostov., Theophilus (Pashkovsky), Metropolitan, Bishop of Chicago., Polyzōidēs, Germanos, 1897-1993., Christopher, Archimandrite., Biserica Ortodoxă Română--Clergy., Srpska pravoslavna crkva--Clergy., Sakʻartʻvelos avtokepʻaluri martʻlmadidebeli eklesia--Clergy., Armenian Church--Clergy., Orthodox Eastern Church--Liturgy.
Topics:
Mass--Celebration., Ecumenical movement., Interdenominational cooperation.
Geographic subjects:
New York (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358867
Title:
U.S. churches begin shipment of relief supplies.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #785 U.S. CHURCHES BEGIN SHIPMENT OF RELIEF SUPPLIES Scenes like this will become increasingly commonplace as the church relief campaign for war victims gets under way. Photo shows church officials inspecting 54 bales and boxes on a Brooklyn pier awaiting shipment to church relief groups in Belgium. Left to right: Dr. Leslie Bates Moss, director of the Church Committee on Overseas Relief and Reconstruction; the Rev. Vinton M. Ziegler, director of the Committee’s material aid program; and Dr. Robbins W. Barstow, director of the Service Commission of the World Council of Churches. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (CC-NY-LM-10155)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Moss, Leslie Bates, 1889-, Church Committee for Overseas Relief and Reconstruction., Ziegler, Vinton M., Barstow, Robbins Wolcott., World Council of Churches. Commission for World Council Service.
Topics:
Disaster relief--Europe., Food relief--Europe., War relief--Europe., Interdenominational cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951), International cooperation.
Geographic subjects:
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358840
Title:
World Church leaders plan relief campaign.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #783 WORLD CHURCH LEADERS PLAN RELIEF CAMPAIGN At this meeting of the Reconstruction Committee of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, a world church campaign to supply relief goods to homeless and starving populations was mapped. The group formed a new Division of Material Aid as part of the Reconstruction Committee. Left to right: Dr. Benjamin J. Bush, commissioner of the Presbyterian Church in the USA; Dr. W. A. Visser 't Hooft, general secretary, World Council of Churches; Dr. Alfons Koechlin, chairman of the Reconstruction Committee. Standing is Dr. Adolf Freudenberg of the World Council staff. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-LM-10155)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction--Congresses., Bush, Benjamin J., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Clergy., Visser ’t Hooft, Willem Adolph, 1900-1985., World Council of Churches., Koechlin, Alphons., Freudenberg, Adolf, 1894-
Topics:
Reconstruction (1939-1951), Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., War relief--Europe., Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358838
Title:
British Council of Christians and Jews meets.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #765 BRITISH COUNCIL OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS MEETS The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Geoffrey Francis Fisher, presided over the third annual meeting of the British Council of Christians and Jews in London which endorsed plans for holding an International Conference of Christians and Jews in England next year. Left to right: Mr. Leonard Stein, president of the Anglo-Jewish Association; Lord Daryngton, prominent Anglican layman and vice-president of the Council; the Archbishop of Canterbury, joint president; the Rev. Henry Carter, C.B.E., chairman of the Council’s executive committee; and the Rev. W.W. Simpson, M.A., general secretary. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (SCL-LO-LM-10105)
Creator:
Lucker. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Fisher of Lambeth, Geoffrey Francis Fisher, Baron, 1887-1972., Church of England--Bishops., Council of Christians and Jews--Congresses., Stein, Leonard, 1887-1973., Anglo-Jewish Association., Carter, Henry, 1874-1951., Simpson, W. W. (William Wynn), 1907-1987., Methodist Church (Great Britain)--Clergy.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--England--London., Interdenominational cooperation., Judaism--Relations--Christianity., Christianity--Relations--Judaism.
Geographic subjects:
London (England)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358836
Title:
World Council meeting.
Description:
Text transcribed from annotations: #739 WORLD COUNCIL MEETING World Council meeting at luncheon. Oct. 2, 1945.
Creator:
Seskind. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Council of Foreign Ministers--Congresses., Allied Powers (1919- )
Topics:
Meetings., Congresses and conventions., Luncheons., Interdenominational cooperation.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358822
Title:
Soviet Evangelical Christians and Baptists meet.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #733 SOVIET EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS AND BAPTISTS MEET Here is the first photo received in this country of a meeting of the newly-constituted All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians and Baptists, major Protestant group in the Soviet Union. Meeting is being addressed by Y. N. Zhidkov, chairman of the Council. (An exclusive RNS photo) Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RAD-MO-LM-1045)
Creator:
Trakhman, M. (photographer), SIB Photoservices, Moscow. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Vsesoi︠u︡znyĭ sovet evangelʹskikh khristian-baptistov (Soviet Union)--Congresses., Zhidkov, Y. N.
Topics:
Protestantism--Soviet Union., Interdenominational cooperation., Congresses and conventions--Soviet Union., Evangelical Church--Relations--Baptists., Baptists--Relations--Evangelical Church., Baptists--Soviet Union., Evangelical Church--Soviet Union.
Geographic subjects:
Soviet Union.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358821
Title:
Religious literature to Italy.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #1046 RELIGIOUS LITERATURE TO ITALY Among those at the airport in Geneva when religious literature was flown from the World Council of Churches to Italy were (left to right) Stewart Herman, Jr., an American secretary of the Council; Colonel Frank Brown, ranking Italian theater chaplain; Olivier Beguin of the Council’s Prisoner of War service, and S.C. Michelfelder, Lutheran “ambassador” to the council. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-RR-11-25-5)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Herman, Stewart W. (Stewart Winfield), 1909-2006., American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Browne, Frank, 1880-1960., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Clergy., Béguin, Olivier., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-
Topics:
Interdenominational cooperation., Missions--Italy., Reconstruction (1939-1951), Delivery of goods--Italy., Transport planes--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358810
Title:
Religious literature to Italy.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #1046 RELIGIOUS LITERATURE TO ITALY Among those at the airport in Geneva when religious literature was flown from the World Council of Churches to Italy were (left to right) Stewart Herman, Jr., an American secretary of the Council; Colonel Frank Brown, ranking Italian theater chaplain; Olivier Beguin of the Council’s Prisoner of War service, and S.C. Michelfelder, Lutheran “ambassador” to the council. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-RR-11-25-5)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Herman, Stewart W. (Stewart Winfield), 1909-2006., American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Browne, Frank, 1880-1960., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Clergy., Béguin, Olivier., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-, Aéroport de Genève-Cointrin.
Topics:
Interdenominational cooperation., Missions--Italy., Reconstruction (1939-1951), Delivery of goods--Italy., Transport planes--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358809
Title:
Laymen's group dedicates headquarters.
Creator:
Robinson, Jane W. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Navigators (Religious organization), Glen Eyrie (Colo.)
Topics:
Parks--Colorado--Colorado Springs., Interdenominational cooperation., Rites and ceremonies--Colorado--Colorado Springs.
Geographic subjects:
Colorado Springs (Colo.), Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358087
Title:
Cutlines.
Creator:
Robinson, Jane W. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Navigators (Religious organization), Glen Eyrie (Colo.)
Topics:
Parks--Colorado--Colorado Springs., Interdenominational cooperation., Rites and ceremonies--Colorado--Colorado Springs.
Geographic subjects:
Colorado Springs (Colo.), Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357750
Title:
For the promotion of better racial understanding.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #80 FOR THE PROMOTION OF BETTER RACIAL UNDERSTANDING Rutland, Vt…Some of the boys and girls from New York's Harlem section who spent two weeks vacation here as guests of a group organized to promote better racial understanding under the direction of the Reverend A. Ritchie Low of Johnson, Vt., and the sponsorship of the Vermont Church Council. The children are shown on the steps of the train waving good-bye. In the background is the Rev. Frank W. Grippin, pastor of the Methodist Church in Rutland, and president of the Vermont Church Council. Credit Line Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO
Creator:
Religious News Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Low, Alvah Ritchie., Vermont Church Council., Grippin, Frank W., United Methodist Church (Rutland, Vt.)
Topics:
Church work with African American youth--Vermont--Rutland., African American children--Vermont--Rutland., Children--Vermont--Rutland., Race relations--Religious aspects.--Christianity., Church work with children--Vermont--Rutland., Interdenominational cooperation.
Geographic subjects:
Rutland (Vt.), Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357651
Title:
Heads of the Swedish and Danish Lutheran Church.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #39 HEADS OF THE SWEDISH AND DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCH An usually fine photograph of Bishop Erling Eidem (left), Primate of the Swedish Lutheran Church, with Archbishop Fuglsang-Damgaard (right), the Primate of the Danish Lutheran Church.
Creator:
Ollen. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Eidem, Erling, 1880-1972., Svenska kyrkan--Bishops., Fuglsang-Damgaard, Hans, 1890-1979., Danske folkekirke--Bishops.
Topics:
Interdenominational cooperation., Lutheran Church--Clergy., Bishops--Denmark., Bishops--Sweden.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357553

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