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:
Class in session.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption on reverse: A class session in Methodist school, Elizabethville, Belgian Congo, Africa
Creator:
Methodist Church (U.S.). Board of Missions. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Methodist Church (U.S.)--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Lubumbashi.
Topics:
Missions--Educational work--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Lubumbashi., Students--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Lubumbashi.
Geographic subjects:
Lubumbashi (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358626
Title:
Dr. Paul Carlson.
Creator:
Smith, Kline & French Laboratories. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Carlson, Paul--Death and burial., Littleford, Philip., Evangelical Covenant Church of America--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topics:
Physicians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356701
Title:
Safe from Congolese rebels.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-31862 SAFE FROM CONGOLESE REBELS LEOPOLDVILLE -- Wrapped in a blanket, a small girl is carried by an American Protestant missionary as they leave plane in Leopoldville after flight from Stanleyville. The girl and Alfred Larson of East Islip, N.Y., a missionary of the Unevangelized Field Mission, were among American and European hostages rescued from Congo rebels by Belgian paratroopers and armed forces of the Congo central government. At least 50 whites, including missionaries, were reported massacred by the rebels as rescuing forces were on their way. Before boarding the plane, Mr. Larson, 36, led his wife, daughter and a group of Americans, Britons and Greeks to safety. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (W-11D-64-NAB)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Larson, Alfred Frederick., Unevangelized Fields Mission (Philadelphia, Pa.)--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topics:
Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kinshasa., Massacres--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kisangani.
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356689
Title:
Slain missionary honored.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-31861 SLAIN MISSIONARY HONORED LEOPOLDVILLE -- A U.S. flag is draped around body of Dr. Paul Carlson, American medical missionary, slain by Congo rebels in a street massacre at Stanleyville that took at least 50 white lives. Standing at attention as the body arrived in Leopoldville is U.S. Ambassador G. McMurtrie Godley (in light suit). Next to him is Belgian Envoy Charles Kerchove (dark suit). Dr. Carlson was among some 100 men, women and children herded into the street by the rebels and shot at as Belgian paratroopers neared in an attempt to liberate the hostages. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (W-11D-64-NAB)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Carlson, Paul--Death and burial., Evangelical Covenant Church of America--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic), Godley, George McMurtrie., Kerchove, Charles.
Topics:
Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Capital punishment--Congo (Democratic Republic), Ambassadors--United States., Massacres--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356688
Title:
Slain Protestant missionary and his family.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-31860 SLAIN PROTESTANT MISSIONARY AND HIS FAMILY LEOPOLDVILLE -- The Rev. Joseph W. Tucker of Portland, Ore., an Assemblies of God missionary, was reported to have been the first white hostage executed by fleeing Congo rebels at Paulis prior to its capture by Belgian paratroops. Mr. Tucker, a Congo missionary since 1939, is shown here with his wife and their three children who were rescued and evacuated to Leopoldville. The Tucker children are Johnny, an 18-year-old adopted son, Carol Lynne, 13, and Melvin Paul, 11. According to a witness in Paulis, Mr. Tucker was bound hand and foot and slowly beaten to death with bottles and heavy sticks. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (FRE-11D-64-NAB)
Creator:
Assemblies of God. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Tucker, Joseph W.--Death and burial., Assemblies of God--Clergy., Assemblies of God--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic), Tucker, Angeline Mae Pierce., Tucker, John Eli., Tucker, Melvin Paul., Tucker, Carol Lynne.
Topics:
Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Isiro., Violent deaths--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Isiro., Clergy--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Isiro., Children of clergy., Spouses of clergy., Massacres--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Isiro.
Geographic subjects:
Isiro (Congo), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356687
Title:
Congo medical missionary reported dead.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-31851 CONGO MEDICAL MISSIONARY REPORTED DEAD LEOPOLDVILLE, the Congo -- Refugees escaping from rebel-held territory in the Congo reported that Dr. Paul Carlson (right), shown here in a happier moment, had been put to death. The medical missionary, serving under the Evangelical Covenant Church of America, was captured when he refused to leave his hospital in the northern Congo. His wife (right) and children, Wayne, 9, and Lynette, 6, (in the foreground) reached safety. The doctor’s threatened execution, after being charged as a spy by rebels, was delayed for one week after the U.S. State Department and churchmen in America urged Kenya Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta, as chairman of a Special Organization of African Unity Committee, to intervene in his behalf. The Carlson family is shown here with Philip Littleford of Baltimore, Md., a medical student in Africa on a fellowship, and Joann LeVahn of Minneapolis, Minn., a staff nurse at the mission hospital. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (FRE-Ph-11D-64-NBM)
Creator:
Smith, Kline & French Laboratories. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Carlson, Paul, 1928-1964--Death and burial., Carlson, Paul, 1928-1964., Evangelical Covenant Church of America--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic), Carlson, Lois Lindblom., Carlson, Wayne., Carlson, Lynette., LeVahn, Joann., Littleford, Philip.
Topics:
Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kinshasa., Missions, Medical--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kinshasa.
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356683
Title:
Missionary sentenced to death in Congo.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-31830 MISSIONARY SENTENCED TO DEATH IN CONGO NEW YORK -- Dr. Paul Carlson, an American Protestant medical missionary, has been sentenced to death by the rebel Stanleyville government on charges of spying for the Congo central government. He is shown here during the summer of 1964 presenting corn and eggs to a native in a Congo village. At right is another American missionary, Dr. Philip Littleford of Baltimore. Dr. Carlson, 36, comes from Rolling Hills, Cal., and has been serving in the Congo under the Evangelical Covenant Church of America. Both the State Department and the Pentagon have denied that he has any military connection. Secretary of State Dean Rusk appealed to Premier Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya to do all he can to halt the threatened execution. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (W-11C-64-NAB)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Carlson, Paul--Death and burial., Carlson, Paul., Littleford, Philip., Evangelical Covenant Church of America--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topics:
Physicians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Capital punishment--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356639
Title:
Dr. Paul Carlson.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption on reverse: Dr. Paul Carlson in the Congo.
Creator:
Smith, Kline & French Laboratories. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Carlson, Paul., Littleford, Philip., Evangelical Covenant Church of America--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topics:
Physicians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356517
Title:
Sentenced to be shot.
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Carlson, Paul--Death and burial., Carlson, Paul., Littleford, Philip., Evangelical Covenant Church of America--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Topics:
Physicians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Capital punishment--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356371
Title:
Congo medical missionary reported dead.
Creator:
Smith, Kline & French Laboratories. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Carlson, Paul, 1928-1964--Death and burial., Carlson, Paul, 1928-1964., Evangelical Covenant Church of America--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic), Carlson, Lois Lindblom., Carlson, Wayne., Carlson, Lynette., LeVahn, Joann., Littleford, Philip.
Topics:
Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kinshasa., Missions, Medical--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kinshasa.
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo), Congo (Democratic Republic)--History--Civil War, 1960-1965.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356290
Title:
Rescued Congo missionary recounts experience.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-30549 RESCUED CONGO MISSIONARY RECOUNTS EXPERIENCE LEOPOLDVILLE, Congo -- Details of a narrow escape from death are recounted at Leopoldville, Congo, by Miss Ruth Hege, 58, of Wellington, Ohio, who was hit in the arm during an arrow attack that killed her companion, Miss Irene Ferrel, 42, of Jerome, Idaho. Both women were assigned to the Baptist Mid-Missions station at Mangungu, in the heart of the area attacked by anti-government terrorists. Miss Hege, later evacuated by helicopter, was left for dead after being struck by the arrow. In a transcontinental telephone conversation with Baptist Mid-Missions headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, the veteran of 30 years of missionary service, many of them in Africa, said she planned to return to the U.S. "There is no future here," she said. "Conditions are chaotic...I don't want to return to the Congo." Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (U-NY-1E-64-NBM)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Hege, Ruth B., Baptist Mid-missions (Organization)
Topics:
Terrorism--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Lay missionaries--Baptists., Women missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Interviews--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kinshasa., Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353844
Title:
Mission workers flee Congo terrorists.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-30541 MISSION WORKERS FLEE CONGO TERRORISTS LEOPOLDVILLE, Congo -- Roman Catholic nuns and children of Protestant missionaries are evacuated to safety after more than a week of terror in the Kwilu Province of the Congo. Rampaging anti-government guerillas destroyed mission stations and killed at least four missionaries -- three Roman Catholic priests from Belgium and a Baptist from the U.S., Miss Irene Ferrel, 42, of Jerome, Idaho. Evacuation operations utilizing helicopters, light planes and commercial liners, were maintained around the clock to rescue the estimated 150 missionaries and their families from the besieged area. American youngsters and Belgian nuns, Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family, are shown here arriving at Leopoldville. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (Lft-W-NY-1E-64-NBM) / (Rt-U-NY-1E-64-NBM)
Creator:
United Press International. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Topics:
Nuns--Congo (Democratic Republic), Lay missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Children of missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Women missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Exile (Punishment)--Congo (Democratic Republic), Evacuation of civilians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353842
Title:
Mission workers flee Congo terrorists.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-30541 MISSION WORKERS FLEE CONGO TERRORISTS LEOPOLDVILLE, Congo -- Roman Catholic nuns and children of Protestant missionaries are evacuated to safety after more than a week of terror in the Kwilu Province of the Congo. Rampaging anti-government guerillas destroyed mission stations and killed at least four missionaries -- three Roman Catholic priests from Belgium and a Baptist from the U.S., Miss Irene Ferrel, 42, of Jerome, Idaho. Evacuation operations utilizing helicopters, light planes and commercial liners, were maintained around the clock to rescue the estimated 150 missionaries and their families from the besieged area. American youngsters and Belgian nuns, Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family, are shown here arriving at Leopoldville. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (Lft-W-NY-1E-64-NBM) / (Rt-U-NY-1E-64-NBM)
Creator:
United Press International. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Topics:
Nuns--Congo (Democratic Republic), Lay missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Children of missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Women missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic), Exile (Punishment)--Congo (Democratic Republic), Evacuation of civilians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353841
Title:
Slain Congo missionary's sister and family rescued.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-30535 SLAIN CONGO MISSIONARY'S SISTER AND FAMILY RESCUED LEOPOLDVILLE, Congo -- One of two Baptist missionary sisters died and another was saved from Communist-inspired terrorists in the Kwilu Province of the Congo. Miss Irene Ferrel of Jerome, Idaho, died when a poisoned arrow hit her in the face. Her sister, Mrs. Winifred Grings, right, escaped injury in the nightmarish week. Mrs. Grings, shown here with her husband, Robert, and children, and Miss Ferrel both were missionaries for Baptist Mid-Missions of Cleveland, Ohio, an independent agency supported by the General Conference of Regular Baptist Churches. The Grings, together with three other missionaries at the Iwungu mission station -- 50 miles from the station where Miss Ferrel died -- were flown by United Nations helicopter to Leopoldville. The Grings children, left to right, are Becky, 8; Danny, 6; and Ruth Ann, 11. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (W-NY-1E-64-NBM)
Creator:
Muse, Seth. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Baptist Mid-missions (Organization), Grings, Winifred., Grings, Robert., Grings, Becky., Grings, Danny., Grings, Ruth Ann.
Topics:
Terrorism--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Lay missionaries--Baptists., Women missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Martyrs--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Children of murder victims--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353789
Title:
Baptist missionaries victims of terrorists.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-30534 BAPTIST MISSIONARIES VICTIMS OF TERRORISTS KWILU PROVINCE, Congo -- The first American known to be a victim of anti-government guerillas in a wave of Congo terrorism was Miss Irene Ferrel, 42, of Jermone, Idaho (left), who was killed with a poisoned arrow. A co-worker at the Baptist Aid Station in Kwilu Province, Miss Ruth B. Hege, 57, of Wellington, Ohio (right) was reported hospitalized after rebels hacked her hands off. Both women were associated with Baptist Mid-Missions of Cleveland, Ohio, an agency of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. At least three other missionaries, all Roman Catholic priests, died in the widespread attack which was believed to have destroyed nearly all mission stations in the region. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (U-NY-1E-64-NBM)
Creator:
Muse, Seth. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Ferrel, Irene., Hege, Ruth B., Baptist Mid-missions (Organization)
Topics:
Terrorism--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Lay missionaries--Baptists., Women missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Martyrs--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Geographic subjects:
Kwilu (Congo : Sub-Region)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353788
Title:
Saved from Congo terrorists.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Hege, Ruth B., Baptist Mid-missions (Organization)
Topics:
Terrorism--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Lay missionaries--Baptists., Women missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Interviews--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kinshasa., Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353649
Title:
Refugees from leftist rebellion.
Creator:
United Press International. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Topics:
Evacuation of civilians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353633
Title:
Serving in Congo.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Religious News Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Baptist Mid-missions (Organization), Grings, Winifred., Grings, Robert., Grings, Becky., Grings, Danny., Grings, Ruth Ann.
Topics:
Terrorism--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Lay missionaries--Baptists., Women missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Martyrs--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region), Children of murder victims--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353624
Title:
Flee Kwilu.
Creator:
Yapp, H.J. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Topics:
Evacuation of civilians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353606
Title:
Fleeing from terror.
Creator:
Yapp, H.J. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Missions--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Kwilu (Sub-Region)
Topics:
Evacuation of civilians--Congo (Democratic Republic), Missionaries--Congo (Democratic Republic)
Geographic subjects:
Kinshasa (Congo)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353457

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