Religious News Service Photographs

Primary tabs

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.

Search In

For

Pages

Title:
Swiss holiday for orphans.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-29757 SWISS HOLIDAY FOR ORPHANS GENEVA -- A holiday in Switzerland for Algerian orphans whose lives were blighted by bitter civil strife in their native land. Sixty Moslem children -- aged 6 to 14 -- were given a month’s holiday by Protestant churches of the world. U.S. denominations participated through Church World Service, overseas aid agency of the National Council of Churches. At top left, the children are all smiles on their arrival at Geneva’s airport. At top right, they find Swiss sunshine and Swiss Protestants a happy combination in making them feel at home abroad. The children stayed at a refurbished hotel that had been abandoned; a congregation at Corseaux, near Lake Leman, suggested the holiday and rehabilitated the hotel. HEKS, Swiss Protestant inter-church agency, provided the furnishings. At lower left, they enjoy a break for lunch and a briefing by their director. The children enjoyed rides on the electric train to Vevey and a series of automobile excursions. At lower right, an Algerian orphan, touched by the wonder of it all, contemplates a new world opening up before his eyes on the Swiss holiday. His vacation, and that of the others, was made possible through the cooperation of the Christian Committee for Service in Algeria, Church World Service, the World Council of Churches, and other agencies. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JJM-NY-8D-63-W)
Creator:
Church World Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Church World Service., Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen der Schweiz., Christian Committee for Service in Algeria., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Orphans--Algeria., Church work with orphans--Switzerland., Children--Switzerland., Muslim children--Switzerland., Vacations--Switzerland.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland), Corseaux (Switzerland), Algeria.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358091
Title:
Church razed in Switzerland.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-29838 CHURCH RAZED IN SWITZERLAND USTER, Switzerland -- The last moment of an old church is recorded at Uster, Switzerland. The high spire of the Catholic church comes tumbling down following a blast set off by a demolition team. A new, larger church will replace the old structure. Although Swiss police roped off the area prior to the blast, the explosion injured people more than 300 feet away with flying debris. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (U-NY-9A-63-W)
Creator:
United Press International. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Buildings.
Topics:
Church buildings--Switzerland--Uster., Spires--Switzerland--Uster., Wrecking--Switzerland--Uster., Construction and demolition debris--Switzerland--Uster.
Geographic subjects:
Uster (Switzerland), Uster (Switzerland)--Buildings, structures, etc.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358054
Title:
For immediate release.
Creator:
Church World Service. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Church World Service., Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen der Schweiz., Christian Committee for Service in Algeria., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Orphans--Algeria., Church work with orphans--Switzerland., Children--Switzerland., Muslim children--Switzerland., Vacations--Switzerland.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland), Corseaux (Switzerland), Algeria.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357832
Title:
Headquarters of World Council of Churches.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #87 HEADQUARTERS OF WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES Geneva, Switzerland…This building, located at 41 Avenue de Champel in this city, is the headquarters of the World Council of Churches, composed of 88 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox communions in 29 countries. The Council is shortly moving to larger headquarters on an estate here. Credit Line Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction.
Topics:
Buildings--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)--Buildings, structures, etc., Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357656
Title:
Where rebuilding of Europe’s religious life is planned.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #86 WHERE REBUILDING OF EUROPE’S RELIGIOUS LIFE IS PLANNED Geneva, Switzerland…In this building, on an estate at 17 Route de Malagnou in this city, the rebuilding of European religious life will be planned. The building is the new headquarters of the Department of Reconstruction of the World Council of Churches, representing 88 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox communions in 29 countries. Dr. J. Hutchison Cockburn, former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, is director of the Department, which includes several American churchmen. Credit Line Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction.
Topics:
Buildings--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)--Buildings, structures, etc., Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357655
Title:
Eugen Gerstenmaier.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: Eugen Gerstenmaier, who was imprisoned and tortured by the Gestapo for his part in the July 20 plot against Hitler, is head of the relief organization set up by the new Evangelical Church of Germany. He is pictured during a visit to Geneva in November, 1945. Exclusive
Subject names:
Gerstenmaier, Eugen., Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945--Assassination attempts., Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland. Diakonische Werk--Innere Mission und Hilfswerk., Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, German., Operation Valkyrie, 1944., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief--Germany., Anti-Nazi movement--Germany.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356864
Title:
Missouri Synod leaders discuss relief in Geneva.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: MISSOURI SYNOD LEADERS DISCUSS RELIEF IN GENEVA #1132 GENEVA -- Missouri synod Lutherans from the United States are pictured in the headquarters of the World Council of Churches at Geneva as they met with interdenominational leaders to discuss material relief needs of Germany. At right is J. W. Behnken, synod president, and in the center is Maj. A. A. Katt, a Missouri synod chaplain who was at Pearl Harbor in 1941 and is now with the headquarters command, Frankfurt. At left is Samuel McCrea Cavert, general secretary of the Federal Council of Churches. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-RR-11-29-5)
Subject names:
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod., World Council of Churches., Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America., Behnken, John W. (John William), 1884-1968., Katt, A.A., Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod--Clergy., Cavert, Samuel McCrea, 1888-1976., Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief--Germany., Clergy--Switzerland--Geneva., Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., World War, 1939-1945.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356858
Title:
Russian patriarch tours World Council headquarters.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PCO-31643 RUSSIAN PATRIARCH TOURS WORLD COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS GENEVA -- Patriarch Alexei of Moscow (center), head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is shown as he visited the World Council of Churches headquarters at Geneva. Dr. W.A. Visser ‘t Hooft (far right), general secretary of the WCC, honored the Patriarch and his party at a private luncheon, lauding the Russian Church for the “fidelity and perseverance which characterize the life of so many Russian Orthodox Christians.” The 87-year-old Patriarch, en route to a visit with the Archbishop of Canterbury in England, was accompanied by Metropolitan Nicodim, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s foreign affairs department (right, in white headpiece) and other clergy. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (2-G-9E-64-MH)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Aleksiĭ II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, 1929-2008., Russkai︠a︡ pravoslavnai︠a︡ t︠s︡erkovʹ--Bishops., World Council of Churches., Visser ’t Hooft, Willem Adolph, 1900-1985., Nikodim, Metropolitan of Leningrad and Novgorod, 1929-1978.
Topics:
Meetings--Switzerland--Geneva., Reception (Ecumenical relations)--Switzerland--Geneva., Interdenominational cooperation., Ecumenical movement.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356697
Title:
Patriarch visits WCC leader.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PCO-31642 PATRIARCH VISITS WCC LEADER GENEVA -- Patriarch Alexei of the Russian Orthodox Church calls on Dr. W.A. Visser ‘t Hooft, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, at Geneva. Dr. Visser ‘t Hooft paid tribute to the Patriarch for bringing to Churches of East and West “a true dialogue in which each learns from the other for mutual enrichment.” Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (2-9E-64-W)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Aleksiĭ II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, 1929-2008., Visser ’t Hooft, Willem Adolph, 1900-1985., World Council of Churches., Russkai︠a︡ pravoslavnai︠a︡ t︠s︡erkovʹ--Bishops.
Topics:
Meetings--Switzerland--Geneva., Reception (Ecumenical relations)--Switzerland--Geneva., Interdenominational cooperation., Ecumenical movement.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356696
Title:
Patriarch visits WCC leader.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Aleksiĭ II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, 1929-2008., Visser ’t Hooft, Willem Adolph, 1900-1985., World Council of Churches., Russkai︠a︡ pravoslavnai︠a︡ t︠s︡erkovʹ--Bishops.
Topics:
Meetings--Switzerland--Geneva., Reception (Ecumenical relations)--Switzerland--Geneva., Interdenominational cooperation., Ecumenical movement.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356454
Title:
Russian Orthodox Patriarch will visit World Council of Churches.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Aleksiĭ II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, 1929-2008., Visser ’t Hooft, Willem Adolph, 1900-1985., World Council of Churches., Russkai︠a︡ pravoslavnai︠a︡ t︠s︡erkovʹ--Bishops.
Topics:
Meetings--Switzerland--Geneva., Reception (Ecumenical relations)--Switzerland--Geneva., Interdenominational cooperation., Ecumenical movement.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356262
Title:
WCC-Vatican 'working group' discussed.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Visser’t Hooft, W. M. (Willem M.), World Council of Churches., Bea, Augustin, 1881-1968., Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic Church--Relations--Protestant churches., Boegner, Marc, 1881-1970.
Topics:
Bishops--Switzerland--Geneva., Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., Protestant churches--Relations--Catholic Church., Church and social issues.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:355953
Title:
Vatican, Protestant ecumenists meet.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-32230 VATICAN, PROTESTANT ECUMENISTS MEET GENEVA -- An ecumenical milestone was reached in Geneva, Switzerland, when Augustin Cardinal Bea (left), president of the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, became the first Prince of the Catholic Church to visit World Council of Churches headquarters. He brought with him the momentous announcement that the Vatican “greets with joy and fully accepts” the proposal approved by the WCC’s Central Committee to form a joint working group with the Catholic Church to explore aspects of cooperation and collaboration. Also welcomed at the historical occasion was Dr. Marc Boegner (right) of Paris, longtime ecumenical leader who once was a co-president of the WCC and now is honorary president of the French Protestant Federation. Host at the meeting was Dr. W.A. Visser ‘t Hooft, the WCC’s general secretary and also a pioneer in the ecumenical movement. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (2-NY-3A-65-NBM)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Visser’t Hooft, W. M. (Willem M.), World Council of Churches., Bea, Augustin, 1881-1968., Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic Church--Relations--Protestant churches., Boegner, Marc, 1881-1970.
Topics:
Bishops--Switzerland--Geneva., Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., Protestant churches--Relations--Catholic Church., Church and social issues.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:355952
Title:
WCC leader welcomes Cardinal Bea.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-32174 WCC LEADER WELCOMES CARDINAL BEA GENEVA -- Dr. W. A. Visser ‘t Hooft, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, welcomes Augustine Cardinal Bea, head of the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, as the Roman Catholic ecumenical leader arrives in Geneva. Cardinal Bea made church history in Geneva by becoming the first Prince of the Church ever to visit the WCC’s world office and by announcing that the Vatican has accepted an invitation to hold joint conversations with representatives of the World Council. The first of these discussions by a Vatican-WCC working group was expected to take place within four months. The representatives will consider possible collaboration in such fields as social and international affairs and philanthropy and explore problems bearing on Christian unity. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (2-GEN-2D-65-NAB)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Visser’t Hooft, W. M. (Willem M.), World Council of Churches., Bea, Augustin, 1881-1968., Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic Church--Relations--Protestant churches.
Topics:
Bishops--Switzerland--Geneva., Ecumenical movement--Switzerland--Geneva., Protestant churches--Relations--Catholic Church., Church and social issues.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:355949
Title:
First women pastors in Switzerland.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-30243 FIRST WOMEN PASTORS IN SWITZERLAND ZURICH, Switzerland -- For the first time Switzerland has women pastors. The first group of 12 women are ordained to the ministry of the Swiss Evangelical Church in an historic ceremony in Zurich’s Grossmuenster Cathedral. Performing the rites is the Rev. R. Kurtz of Zurich. All the women previously served in various congregations as assistants or acting pastors. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (U-11D-63-NAB)
Creator:
United Press International. (publisher), Ringier Bilderdienst (Zurich, Switzerland) (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Schweizerischer Evangelischer Kirchenbund--Clergy., Grossmünster (Zurich, Switzerland)
Topics:
Clergy--Switzerland--Zurich., Women clergy--Switzerland--Zurich., Ordination of women--Schweizerischer Evangelischer Kirchenbund., Ordination of women--Protestant churches.
Geographic subjects:
Zurich (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:352920
Title:
WCC will survey Africa needs.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Caradon, Hugh Foot, Baron, 1907-1990., United Nations., Matthews, Z. K. (Zachariah Keodirelang), 1901-1968., World Council of Churches--Congresses., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Humanitarian assistance--Africa., Missions--Interdenominational cooperation., Developing countries--Economic conditions.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349285
Title:
Calvin Auditorium.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PI-31486 CALVIN AUDITORIUM FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH REFORMATION DAY, OCT. 31, 1964 -- GENEVA -- Calvin Auditorium in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the hallowed, historic sites of the Protestant Reformation. John Calvin and other early leaders of the Reformation preached and taught in the auditorium, which was a forerunner of the University of Geneva. Founded 405 years ago, the Auditorium was completely restored in 1959, to mark the 450th anniversary of Calvin's birth. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JM-G-8E-64-NBM)
Creator:
Myers, John. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Université de Genève., Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564.
Topics:
Reformation., College buildings--Switzerland--Geneva., Historic sites--Switzerland--Geneva., Sacred space--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349213
Title:
WCC representatives survey African nations.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-31606 WCC REPRESENTATIVES SURVEY AFRICAN NATIONS GENEVA -- Sir Hugh Foot, distinguished British representative at the United Nations (left), and Dr. Z.K. Matthews, Africa secretary for the World Council of Churches, confer in Geneva before starting a 22-day survey of emergency needs and development problems confronting new nations in Africa. The trip was the first stage of the WCC's new "Ecumenical Program for Emergencies in Africa" program. Member Churches were asked to contribute $1 million to underwrite projects. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (2-GS-9D-64-NBM)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Caradon, Hugh Foot, Baron, 1907-1990., United Nations., Matthews, Z. K. (Zachariah Keodirelang), 1901-1968., World Council of Churches--Congresses., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Humanitarian assistance--Africa., Missions--Interdenominational cooperation., Developing countries--Economic conditions.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349185
Title:
Fire-fighting nuns.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: FIRE-FIGHTING NUNS #c-1994 FREIBURG, Switzerland--Protected by fire helmets and goggles, these nuns of a nearby convent are participating in a hose drill as part of the training routine they go through in learned to combat fires. They also receive instruction in the basis principles of first aid. (One of a Series) Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (TL-NY-MES-3B-6-C)
Creator:
Three Lions. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Nuns--Switzerland--Fribourg., Fire prevention--Switzerland--Fribourg.
Geographic subjects:
Fribourg (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:300789
Title:
Skiers attend service.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-20189. SKIERS ATTEND SERVICE. GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND. -- Skiers attend an early morning Protestant service outdoors before starting the day's sporting events here. CREDIT MUST READ: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (WCC-1D-57-NAB)
Creator:
Taylor, John P. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Skiers--Religious life--Switzerland--Gstaad., Skis and skiing--Switzerland--Gstaad., Public worship--Switzerland--Gstaad.
Geographic subjects:
Gstaad (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288197

Pages

Bookmark

BookBags: