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:
Presbyterian churchmen meet.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-4232 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHMEN MEET GENEVA -- Shown together at World Council of Churches headquarters here are Dr. Benjamin J. Bush (left), of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., a member of the reconstruction division of the Council, and the Rev. Albert J. Kissling, of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (Southern), a member of the commission on union with the U.S.A. Church. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-JOG-8B-6-W-P)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Bush, Benjamin J., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Clergy., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., Kissling, Albert J., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.--Clergy.
Topics:
Discussion.--Switzerland--Geneva., Meetings--Switzerland--Geneva., Christian union--Presbyterian Church.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359872
Title:
Czech Brethren leader.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-4219 CZECH BRETHREN LEADER PRAGUE -- Standing in front of St. Martin’s Church here with a refugee girl is the Rev. Joseph Krenek, moderator of the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren. Child is one of 30,000 persons who have come impoverished into Czechoslovakia from Poland, eastern Prussia and Silesia. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (ZAU-PRAG-JOG-8B-6-P)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Church of St. Martin in the Wall (Prague, Czech Republic), Křenek, Josef, 1885-1949., Českobratrská církev evangelická--Buildings., Českobratrská církev evangelická--Clergy.
Topics:
Church work with orphans--Czech Republic--Prague., Orphans--Czech Republic--Prague., War victims--Czech Republic--Prague., World War, 1939-1945.
Geographic subjects:
Prague (Czech Republic)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359869
Title:
Discuss Oslo World Christian Youth Conference.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-4150 DISCUSS OSLO WORLD CHRISTIAN YOUTH CONFERENCE GENEVA -- Delegates to the planning session here of the World Christian Youth Conference to be held in Oslo, Norway, next year go over the proceedings of first meeting held in Amsterdam in 1939. Left to right are: Rena Joyce Weller, Waterbury, Conn., a national secretary of the United Christian Youth Movement and associate director of youth work, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; the Rev. E.S. Parsons, assistant pastor, Newton Center (Mass.) Baptist Church; the Rev. Kenneth E. Reeves, Philadelphia, director of young people’s work, national Board of Education, Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., and the Rev. Wilton E. Bergstrand, Minneapolis, youth director of the Augustana Lutheran Synod. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-7D-6-W-P-L)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Conference of Christian Youth., Karefa-Smart, Rena, 1921-2019., African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (Waterbury, Conn.), Parsons, E.S., First Baptist Church in Newton (Newton Center, Newton, Mass.), Reeves, Kenneth E., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Clergy., Northern Baptist Convention--Clergy., Bergstrand, Wilton Everet., American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Augustana Lutheran Church (Minneapolis, Minn.), Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America.
Topics:
Meetings--Switzerland--Geneva., Cooperative societies--Switzerland--Geneva., Clergy--Switzerland--Geneva., Interdenominational cooperation., Congresses and conventions--Planning.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359864
Title:
Relief director with orphans.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4220 RELIEF DIRECTOR WITH ORPHANS PRAGUE -- Flanked by Czech orphans is William J. Sullivan, director of the local office of War Relief Services of the National Catholic Welfare Conference. In cooperation with Prague Caritas, Catholic charitable organization, War Relief Services has provided food, shelter and medical aid to the needy here. NCWC’s relief program embraces more than 47 stricken countries throughout the world. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (ZAU-PRAG-JOG-8B-6-C)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., War Relief Services-National Catholic Welfare Conference (U.S.), Sullivan, William J.
Topics:
War relief--Czech Republic--Prague., International relief--Czech Republic--Prague., Orphans--Czech Republic--Prague.
Geographic subjects:
Prague (Czech Republic)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359847
Title:
Crusade for peace.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4168 CRUSADE FOR PEACE [2] PARIS -- A kilted Scot is one of the three members of a British group shown here carrying an 86-pound cross during the international peace pilgrimage to Vezelay in central France. Pilgrims from 13 other nations also took part in the unique demonstration. Focal point of the pilgrimage was the ancient abbey in Vezelay where St. Bernard preached the Second Crusade 800 years ago. The pilgrim groups attracted large followings as they carried their crosses through towns and villages where thousands joined them in prayers for peace. American and Canadian crusaders did not reach France in time, but their crosses were borne by French volunteers. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (PA-NY-TFD-7-D-6-C)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Vézelay (Abbey), Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 1091-1153.
Topics:
Pilgrims and pilgrimages--France--Paris., International cooperation., Abbeys--France--Paris., Historical buildings--France--Paris., Benedictine monasteries--France--Paris., Marches--France--Paris.
Geographic subjects:
Paris (France)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359846
Title:
Crusade for peace.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4167 CRUSADE FOR PEACE [1] PARIS -- Four hundred and twenty pilgrims from 14 countries gather outside the ancient abbey of Vezelay in central France at the close of a Crusade for Peace hailed as one of the most remarkable religious demonstrations witnessed since the end of the war. The crosses lined up outside the church were carried by pilgrims in an 18-day march on foot through towns and villages where thousands joined them in prayer, many even accompanying the crusaders all the way on their long trek over sun-baked roads. American and Canadian crusaders did not reach France in time for the Crusade, but their crosses were borne by French volunteers. Vezelay is the place where St. Bernard preached the Second Crusade 800 years ago. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (PA-NY-TFD-7D-6-C)
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Vézelay (Abbey), Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 1091-1153., Catholic Church--Buildings.
Topics:
Pilgrims and pilgrimages--France--Paris., Abbeys--France--Paris., Historical buildings--France--Paris., Benedictine monasteries--France--Paris., Marches--France--Paris.
Geographic subjects:
Paris (France)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359845
Title:
Reported rejected for Prague Archbishopric.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4080 REPORTED REJECTED FOR PRAGUE ARCHBISHOPRIC PRAGUE -- The Czechoslovak Government is reported to have rejected the nomination of Dr. Moric Picha, Bishop of Koeniggratz (above), by Pope Pius XII to succeed the late Karl Cardinal Kasper as Archbishop of Prague. Refusal of the Czech Government to accept Bishop Picha is said to reflect the tense situation which exists between the Vatican and the government here. The Czech Government also declined recently to reinstate Archbishop Xavier Ritter in his post of Nuncio to Prague. Dr. Picha, who is 79, ranks as Czechoslovakia’s oldest prelate. His colleagues maintain, however, that he is young and energetic in mind and spirit and is a fitting choice for the country’s leading archiepiscopal see. He formerly was Vicar of St. Vitus Cathedral here. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (ZAUG-PRA-MES-7B-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Pícha, Mořic., Catholic Church. Diocese of Hradec Králové (Czech Republic), Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic Church--Bishops--Appointment, call, and election., Katedrála sv. Víta (Prague, Czech Republic)
Topics:
Bishops--Appointment, call, and election., Church public relations--Czech Republic--Prague., Church and state--Czech Republic.
Geographic subjects:
Prague (Czech Republic)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359840
Title:
Slovakia police force priest to hide altar picture.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4041 SLOVAKIA POLICE FORCE PRIEST TO HIDE ALTAR PICTURE FELBAR, Slovakia -- Slovakian political police forced this priest to take down the picture of St. Stephen, which belongs above the altar of his church, and hide it behind the altar. This is a Hungarian-populated town in Slovakia, and the Slovaks regard this picture as a symbol of Hungarian nationalism, which they are seeking to subdue. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (ZAUG-BRATA-MES-7A-6-C)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Stephen, Saint, -approximately 36.
Topics:
Art--Censorship--Slovakia., Communism and Christianity--Slovakia., Church and state--Slovakia., Censorship--Religious aspects--Christianity., Nationalism--Hungary.
Geographic subjects:
Slovakia.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359834
Title:
They explore the mysteries of the heavens.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4010 THEY EXPLORE THE MYSTERIES OF THE HEAVENS CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy -- In the modern observatory at the Pope’s summer residence, Brother Matthew Timmers (right), discoverer of Timmers’ Comet, discusses with the Rev. Walter J. Miller, S.J., of New York, the method by which the track of the comet was logged. Some years ago the Papal Observatory was located in Vatican City, but electrical interference hampered the workings of the delicate instruments and it was moved here. Photography of the stars is a major activity of the observatory, and there are more than 10,000 pictures on file. The Papal Observatory was established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (KEY-NY-MES-7B-6-C)
Creator:
Keystone Pictures (New York, N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Timmers, Matthew., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Clergy., Miller, Walter J., Fordham University--Faculty., Specola vaticana.
Topics:
Popes--Dwellings--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Palaces--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Astronomical observatories--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Astronomers--Italy--Castel Gandolfo.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359828
Title:
Italian sisters care for orphans.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4006 ITALIAN SISTERS CARE FOR ORPHANS ROME -- War-ravaged Italy presents few such happy scenes as this, which occurred at a convent near here where Catholic sisters care for abandoned and orphaned youngsters. UNRRA helps supply some of their rations. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (KEY-NY-MES-7A-6-C)
Creator:
Keystone Press Agency Ltd. (London, England) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.
Topics:
Catholic orphans--Italy--Rome., Orphans--Italy--Rome., Nuns--Italy--Rome., Children--Institutional care--Italy--Rome., Church work with orphans--Italy--Rome., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359825
Title:
Exhibition honors priest hero.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-3991 EXHIBITION HONORS PRIEST HERO PARIS -- More than 15,000 persons, including Emmanuel Celestin Cardinal Suhard, Archbishop of Paris, viewed an exhibition at Les Invalides here in honor of Father Charles de Foucauld (above), French desert monk. At one time a member of the Foreign Legion and a secret service agent in Africa, Father de Foucauld ranks among France’s national heroes. The exhibition in his honor was arranged by Abbe Louis of Les Invalides, who spent many years collecting souvenirs and relics of Father de Foucauld. The priest was mysteriously slain in Fort Tamanrasset on the Sahara desert during the first world war. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (POI-PARIS-MES_6D-6-C)
Creator:
Dore, G. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Suhard, Emmanuel-Célestin, 1874-1949., Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Paris (France)
Topics:
Exhibitions--France--Paris., Religious biography--France--Paris., Christian biography--France--Paris., Martyrs--Sahara.
Geographic subjects:
Paris (France)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359821
Title:
Street mass in Poland.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-3938 STREET MASS IN POLAND WARSAW -- Outdoor Masses have become common in Poland because of the widespread destruction of churches during the war. In this scene, Polish soldiers and members of political parties are shown gathered before an altar set up near a ruined church. The Mass was offered for Polish soldiers killed in the war. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (WNS-TO-TFD-6-6B-C)
Creator:
Polska Agencja Prasowa. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Customs and practices.
Topics:
Mass--Celebration., Memorial service., Memorial rites and ceremonies--Poland--Warsaw., World War, 1939-1945--Casualties--Poland.
Geographic subjects:
Warsaw (Poland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359816
Title:
At rites for Kielce victims.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 4183 AT RITES FOR KIELCE VICTIMS WARSAW -- Shown at the grave of the victims of the Kielce pogrom are the Chief Rabbi of Warsaw David Kahane (left) and Former Chief Cantor Kusevitsky. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (ZAUGG-MES-7E-6-J)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Kahana, David, 1903-1998., Kusevitsky, David, -1985, Temple Emanu-El (New York, N.Y.), Poland. Polskie Siły Zbrojne.
Topics:
Memorial rites and ceremonies--Poland--Warsaw., Sepulchral monuments--Poland--Warsaw., Pogroms--Poland--Kielce., Jews--Persecutions--Poland--Kielce.
Geographic subjects:
Warsaw (Poland), Kielce (Poland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359800
Title:
Standards at Mother Cabrini Canonization.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 4088-4089 STANDARDS AT MOTHER CABRINI CANONIZATION ROME -- One of the canvases which hung from the balconies in St. Peter’s Basilica at the canonization of Mother Cabrini is shown above, left. The painting depicts the miraculous cure of Paul Pezzini, an Italian workman who for 25 years was afflicted with a tumor and who was also stricken with acute double pneumonia and an intestinal inflammation. This was one of the two miracles accepted in 1944 by Pope Pius XII which led to the diminutive nun’s canonization within 30 years after her death in Chicago. At the right is shown a standard which looked out over St. Peter’s Square, outside the Basilica. The canvas portrays the new Saint accompanied by two of the heavenly host, while at the bottom of the panel a ship steams through the sea toward the New York skyline. Mother Cabrini crossed the Atlantic 26 times, became a naturalized American citizen in Seattle in 1909. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (BE-RO-JOG-7B-6-C)
Creator:
Bergh. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano., Cabrini, Frances Xavier, Saint, 1850-1917., Pezzini, Paul.
Topics:
Gathering rites., Canonization., Christian saints--United States., Religious art--Italy--Rome., Christian art and symbolism--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359769
Title:
Banner at canonization.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 4086-4087 BANNER AT CANONIZATION ROME -- Carried aloft in the Papal procession which opened the ceremony of canonization of Mother Cabrini in St. Peter’s Basilica was the resplendent standard shown here. On the front of the banner (left) Mother Cabrini looks down from heaven with compassion on the ill, the needy, and the helpless. The reverse side of the banner (right) depicts the small, frail nun as she knelt before Pope Leo XIII who instructed her to labor in the United States rather than go to China, a land which had attracted her from childhood. In the background is the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, which Mother Cabrini first beheld in 1889 upon completion of her initial voyage from Italy. Before her death in Chicago in 1917 Mother Cabrini crossed the Atlantic 26 times. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (BE-RO-JOG-7B-6-C)
Creator:
Bergh. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Cabrini, Frances Xavier, Saint, 1850-1917., Leo XIII, Pope, 1810-1903., Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano.
Topics:
Gathering rites., Canonization., Christian saints--United States., Religious art--Italy--Rome., Christian art and symbolism--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Statue of Liberty National Monument (N.Y. and N.J.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359768
Title:
Italian war orphan.
Description:
Text transcribed from annotations: 4035 Italian war orphan.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Orphans--Italy., Children--Italy., War victims--Italy., World War, 1939-1945--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Italy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359754
Title:
Lutheran leader visits Slovakia DP camp.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 4016 LUTHERAN LEADER VISITS SLOVAKIA DP CAMP BRATISLAVA -- The Rev. Clifford A. Nelson, of St. Paul, Minn., is shown during a visit to a camp for Germans who are to be deported from Slovakia to Germany. Nr. Nelson’s visit was made on a tour of Slovakia under the auspices of the American Section of the Lutheran World Convention and the World Council of Churches. He brought $20,000 of relief money for the Slovak Lutheran Church, and after his tour appealed for $33,000 more. Mr. Nelson was pastor of the Lutheran Gloria Dei church in St. Paul before taking up his duties in Europe. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (ZA-BUDA-MES-6D-6-L-St.P)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Nelson, Clifford A., Lutheran Gloria Dei Church (Saint Paul, Minn.), American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Lutheran World Convention., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Deportations from Czechoslovakia., War relief--Slovakia--Bratislava., Economic assistance--Slovakia--Bratislava., Church work with refugees--Slovakia--Bratislava., Refugees--Slovakia--Bratislava.
Geographic subjects:
Bratislava (Slovakia), Czechoslovakia.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359748
Title:
Stuttgart Anglican Church shell of war.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 3935 STUTTGART ANGLICAN CHURCH SHELL OF WAR STUTTGART, Germany -- The ruined Church of England here still stands as empty shell at the foot of a hill of rubble in this blasted city. Church is in the area of North and Central Europe under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London. Before the war the area contained 87 Anglican clergymen. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-6B-6-A-E)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., St. Catherine's Anglican Chaplaincy (Stuttgart, Germany), Church of England--Buildings.
Topics:
Buildings--War damage--Germany--Stuttgart., Buildings--Blast effects--Germany--Stuttgart., Anglican church buildings--Germany--Stuttgart., Church buildings--Germany--Stuttgart.
Geographic subjects:
Stuttgart (Germany)--Buildings, structures, etc., Stuttgart (Germany)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359732
Title:
Catholic Church lives on in Poland.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
World News Services. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Customs and practices.
Topics:
Mass--Celebration., Memorial service., Memorial rites and ceremonies--Poland--Warsaw., World War, 1939-1945--Casualties--Poland.
Geographic subjects:
Warsaw (Poland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359704
Title:
Peace pilgrimage.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Vézelay (Abbey), Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 1091-1153.
Topics:
Pilgrims and pilgrimages--France--Paris., International cooperation., Abbeys--France--Paris., Historical buildings--France--Paris., Benedictine monasteries--France--Paris., Marches--France--Paris.
Geographic subjects:
Paris (France)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359683

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