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:
"Crucifixion of man."
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-46504 ‘CRUCIFIXION OF MAN’ GENEVA -- In a Geneva studio, Guido Rocha works on his “Crucifixion of Man,” a work he says is based on the physical torture he suffered in the prisons of Brazil. Mr. Rocha was arrested for protesting against oppression, was tortured and then “acquitted.” He then fled to Chile where he was caught up in the military coup that overthrew the government of Marxist President Salvador Allende in Sept. 1973. Again arrested, he spent 40 days in detention at Santiago’s National Stadium before being released and admitted to Switzerland as a political refugee. A special scholarship to the School of Fine Arts in Geneva has enabled him to work on his “Crucifixion of Man.” When it is finished, Mr. Rocha intends to present it to the World Council of Churches as his way of thanking the churches for their assistance to Chilean refugees. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-GEN-12A-74-DS)
Creator:
Taylor, John. (photographer), World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Rocha, Guido., World Council of Churches., École supérieure des beaux-arts de Genève--Students.
Topics:
Refugees--Chile., Refugees--Brazil., Artists--Switzerland--Geneva., Crucifixion in art., Crosses., Sculptors--Switzerland--Geneva., Sculpture--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:361956
Title:
The crucifixion of man.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Rocha, Guido., World Council of Churches., École supérieure des beaux-arts de Genève--Students.
Topics:
Refugees--Chile., Refugees--Brazil., Artists--Switzerland--Geneva., Crucifixion in art., Crosses., Sculptors--Switzerland--Geneva., Sculpture--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:361891
Title:
"Crucifixion of man."
Description:
Two copies of the same caption on the reverse of collage.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Rocha, Guido., World Council of Churches., École supérieure des beaux-arts de Genève--Students.
Topics:
Refugees--Chile., Refugees--Brazil., Artists--Switzerland--Geneva., Crucifixion in art., Crosses., Sculptors--Switzerland--Geneva., Sculpture--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:361885
Title:
Chavez receives WCC support.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-46101 CHAVEZ RECEIVES WCC SUPPORT GENEVA -- Cesar Chavez, leader of the United Farm Workers of America, meets with Dr. Philip Potter, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, during a visit to the Ecumenical Center in Geneva, where he received pledges of continued support for his goals from WCC leaders. Mr. Chavez was on a European tour soliciting support for an international boycott of non-Farm Workers picked grapes and iceberg lettuce from California. He concentrated his efforts in England, Scandinavia and West Germany, where substantial shipments of the California produce are received. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-GEN-10B-74-DS)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. Communications Department (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Chavez, Cesar, 1927-1993., United Farm Workers of America., Potter, Philip Alford., World Council of Churches., Ecumenical Centre (Geneva, Switzerland)
Topics:
Visits of state--Switzerland--Geneva., Agricultural laborers--Labor unions--United States., Agricultural laborers--United States., Labor movements--United States--20th century.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:361533
Title:
Chavez receives WCC support.
Description:
Letter from World Council of Churches providing news image and corresponding caption.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. Communications Department (author), Religious News Service. (addressee)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Chavez, Cesar, 1927-1993., United Farm Workers of America., Potter, Philip Alford., World Council of Churches., Ecumenical Centre (Geneva, Switzerland)
Topics:
Visits of state--Switzerland--Geneva., Agricultural laborers--Labor unions--United States., Agricultural laborers--United States., Labor movements--United States--20th century.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:361440
Title:
PWs hold religious services.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #S-4831 PWs HOLD RELIGIOUS SERVICES RIMINI, Italy -- German prisoners of war interned in an Allied camp here gather for religious services and hear a sermon by Pastor Adolf Freudenberg, a secretary of the World Council of Churches in charge of refugee work. Dr. Freudenberg is a prominent anti-Nazi who worked in Geneva during the war, assisting in the rescue of Jewish refugees. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-BS-11C6-W-L)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Freudenberg, Adolf, 1894-, World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Clergy--Italy--Rimini., World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons., Prisoners of war--Germany., Church work with prisoners of war--Italy--Rimini., Prisoners--Italy--Rimini., Prisoner-of-war camps--Italy--Rimini., Public worship--Italy--Rimini.
Geographic subjects:
Rimini (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360568
Title:
PWs hold religious services.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Freudenberg, Adolf, 1894-, World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Clergy--Italy--Rimini., World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons., Prisoners of war--Germany., Church work with prisoners of war--Italy--Rimini., Prisoners--Italy--Rimini., Prisoner-of-war camps--Italy--Rimini.
Geographic subjects:
Rimini (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360407
Title:
Church leaders tour Warsaw.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #4354a CHURCH LEADERS TOUR WARSAW WARSAW -- American church leaders here for ecumenical and relief talks with Polish clergymen tour the city for a first-hand view of the damage wrought by the war. Left to right are: the Rev. Konstantin Najder, superintendent of the Polish Methodist Church; Dr. Werner T. Wickstrom, Chicago Methodist, who is assistant director of the material aid division of the World Council of Churches; the Rev. John Rasmussen, Ruston, La., Methodist, who is special representative of the World Council of Churches to Poland; the Rev. Dana Dawson, Shreveport, La.; the Rev. Edmund Chambers, Polish Methodist pastor; Dr. Robert N. Montgomery, president of Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio, and the Rev. Leonid Jesakow, treasurer of the reconstruction committee for Poland of the World Council of Churches. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (Z-WAR-MES-9A-6-M-UP)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Najder, Konstantin., Wickstrom, Werner T., Methodist Church (U.S.)--Clergy., World Council of Churches., Rasmussen, John., Dawson, Dana., Chambers, Edmund., Montgomery, Robert N., Muskingum College--Faculty., Jesakow, Leonid.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement., International relief--Poland--Warsaw., War relief--Poland--Warsaw.
Geographic subjects:
Warsaw (Poland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360269
Title:
RNS Bern Zaugg Polish Series photo 21.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Najder, Konstantin., Wickstrom, Werner T., Methodist Church (U.S.)--Clergy., World Council of Churches., Rasmussen, John., Dawson, Dana., Chambers, Edmund., Montgomery, Robert N., Muskingum College--Faculty., Jesakow, Leonid.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement., International relief--Poland--Warsaw., War relief--Poland--Warsaw.
Geographic subjects:
Warsaw (Poland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360219
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:
Directs material aid division.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: DIRECTS MATERIAL AID DIVISION #s-3422 GENEVA -- Frank Northam (above), British Methodist layman, has been named by the World Council of Churches to the newly-created post of business manager of its Material Aid Division. Dr. Sylvester C. Michelfelder, of Toledo, Ohio, formerly acting director of the Division, has become chairman of a staff committee directing material aid work. Northam, an accountant by profession, was with the British Ministry of Food during the war, later becoming supply assistant to UNRRA in London. His wife is the former Josephine Batchelder, of Los Angeles. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-5A-6-W-M)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Northam, Frank.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359581
Title:
Material aid leaders confer in Geneva.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: MATERIAL AID LEADERS CONFER IN GENEVA #s-3407 GENEVA -- Frank Northam (right), newly appointed business manager of the Material Aid Division of the World Council of Churches, listens to Dr. Sylvester C. Michelfelder, of Toledo, Ohio, (left) during a discussion of the problems facing the division. An accountant by profession, Northam relieves Dr. Michelfelder, who held the post of acting director. Dr. Michelfelder is now chairman of the World Council staff committee directing material aid work. Northam is a British Methodist. Richard Matthey of Switzerland (center) is the new purchasing agent for the division. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-5A-6-W-TO)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence., Northam, Frank., Matthey, Richard.
Topics:
Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359577
Title:
Army chaplains at World Council.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: ARMY CHAPLAINS AT WORLD COUNCIL #s-3042 GENEVA, Switzerland -- U.S. Army chaplains from the Mediterranean Theater are shown in conference at the headquarters of the World Council of Churches here. This was the first of a series of two-day meetings to be held under the auspices of the World Council for chaplains in Europe. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-3D-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United States. Army. Chaplain Corps., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Military chaplains--Switzerland--Geneva., Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Mediterranean Region.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359114
Title:
The makings of a German church.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: THE MAKINGS OF A GERMAN CHURCH #s-3003 FRANKFURT -- As part of its plan to aid German churches to function again, the World Council of Churches has brought Swiss Army barracks and shipped them to Germany for use as places of worship. Here a horse-drawn cart carries a wooden steeple which will be erected atop one of the buildings. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-3C-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Church buildings--Germany--Frankfurt am Main., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Spires--Germany--Frankfurt am Main.
Geographic subjects:
Frankfurt am Main (Germany)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359112
Title:
Army chaplains at World Council.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United States. Army. Chaplain Corps., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Military chaplains--Switzerland--Geneva., Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Mediterranean Region.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358954
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:
Olivier Beguin.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #896 OLIVIER BEGUIN Olivier Beguin, young Swiss, a member of the Reformed Church, is secretary of the World Council of Churches’ work with prisoners of war. He has directed the sending of thousands of Bibles and other religious literature to POW camps. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-LM-11-5-5)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Béguin, Olivier., Schweizerischer Evangelischer Kirchenbund., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Church work with prisoners of war--Europe., International relief--Europe., World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358890
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

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