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:
Ordained women serve first communion.
Creator:
Wide World Photos, Inc. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Episcopal Church--Clergy., Church of the Advocate (Philadelphia, Pa.), Episcopal Church--Liturgy., Hewitt, Emily C. (Emily Clark), 1944-, Heyward, Carter., Moorefield, Marie.
Topics:
Ordination of women--Episcopal Church., Ordination of women--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Clergy--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Women clergy--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Lord's Supper.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360741
Title:
Pilgrimage of hope.
Creator:
Halvey, Robert S. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic Church--Clergy., Król, John J. (John Joseph), 1910-1996., Teresa, Mother, Saint, 1910-1997., Dowling, Philip., Culbreth, Stanley., Heschel, Sylvia, 1914-2007., Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Pa.), Catholic Church--Customs and practices.
Topics:
Bishops--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Nuns--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Ecumenical movement--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Speeches, addresses, etc., Rabbis' spouses--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Ecumenical movement--United States.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360729
Title:
Episcopal women ordained.
Creator:
Halvey, Robert S. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Episcopal Church--Clergy., Church of the Advocate (Philadelphia, Pa.), Swanson, Katrina Martha, 1935-2005., Church of the Advocate (Philadelphia, Pa.), Hewitt, Emily C. (Emily Clark), 1944-, Heyward, Carter., Piccard, Jeannette, 1895-1981., Moorefield, Marie., Cheek, Alison M., Schiess, Betty Bone., Hiatt, Suzanne R., Wittig, Nancy H., 1945-, Bittner, Merrill., Bozarth, Alla Renée, 1947-
Topics:
Ordination of women--Episcopal Church., Ordination of women--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Clergy--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Women clergy--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Ordination.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360702
Title:
Unusual Sunday school.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: UNUSUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL #S-4900 PITTSBURGH -- The Rev. James T. Orr reaches the climax of a Bible story at one of America’s most unique Sunday Schools. It is the Sunday School at the Alleghany County Juvenile Home, sponsored by the Council of Churches and the Board of Directors, for neglected and delinquent children ranging from six to 18 years old. Between 70 and 80 children attend each Sunday, singing hymns, repeating scriptures, listening to Bible stories and worshipping at an altar (above) made by inmates of Western Penitentiary. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (ANH-PITTS-12C-6-JOG-2-SS)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Orr, James T.
Topics:
Clergy--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh., Sunday schools--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh., Juvenile detention homes--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh., Religious education--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
Geographic subjects:
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360577
Title:
New officers of United Stewardship Council.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: NEW OFFICERS OF UNITED STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL #S-4876 BUCK HILL FALLS, Pa. -- Talking things over with past president Dr. Danzel G. Ridout (left) are the new officers of the United Stewardship Council elected at the organization’s annual meeting here. Left to right: Dr. Harry S. Myers of Hillsdale, Mich., secretary-treasurer; Dr. Arthur H. Limouze of New York, who is also director of promotion for the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., president, and the Rev. Paul H. Conrad of New York, secretary of stewardship for the Northern Baptist Convention, vice president. Dr. Ridout is presently promotion manager for the United Church of Canada. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (NB-NY-BS-11D-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United Stewardship Council of the United States and Canada--Congresses., United Stewardship Council of the United States and Canada., Myers, Harry S., Limouze, Arthur Henry, 1883-1959., Conrad, Paul H., Ridout, Danzel G.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Pennsylvania--Buck Hill Falls., Ecumenical movement--North America., Clergy--Pennsylvania--Buck Hill Falls.
Geographic subjects:
Buck Hill Falls (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360573
Title:
Evangelicals, United Brethren achieve unity.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #S-4839 EVANGELICALS, UNITED BRETHREN ACHIEVE UNITY JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Thirteen years of planning are successfully ended here as representatives to the united General Conference of the Evangelical Church and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ attend a historic session at which the union of their churches was announced, forming the new Evangelical United Brethren Church. With a combined membership of more than 714,000 members the new group ranks 13th in size among Protestant denominations. It is relatively strong in Pennsylvania and the Midwest. First attempts to unite were made in 1813, and while unsuccessful, a close association existed between the two churches. In 1933 commissions from both churches were appointed to work out the detail which were accepted by both groups. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JR-JOHN-BS-11C6-W)
Creator:
Rue, J. (contributor)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Evangelical United Brethren Church., Evangelical United Brethren Church. General Conference., Evangelical Church., Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New constitution)
Topics:
Christian union--Pennsylvania--Johnstown., Congresses and conventions--Pennsylvania--Johnstown.
Geographic subjects:
Johnstown (Cambria County, Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360570
Title:
Scientists, churchmen discuss atomic problems.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: SCIENTISTS, CHURCHMEN DISCUSS ATOMIC PROBLEMS #S-4786 PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Conference of Churchmen and Scientists, composed of local leaders in science and religion, was organized here following a conference attended by 125 persons who met to exchange views on the social and moral implications of atomic energy. The scientists agreed that “religious leaders can do more for control of atomic energy than any other agency.” Above are presidents of the organizations which sponsored the conference, (left to right): the Rev. Dr. George Emerson Barnes, Philadelphia Council of Churches; Dr. W.C. Michels, Philadelphia Association of Scientists, and Rabbi C. Matt, Philadelphia Board of Jewish Ministers. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JD-PHIL-BS-11B-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Barnes, George Emerson, 1882-1948., Michels, Walter C. (Walter Christian), 1906-1975., Philadelphia Board of Jewish Ministers., Matt, C. David, 1887-1951.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Nuclear energy--Religious aspects--Congresses., Rabbis--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Clergy--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Scientists--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Religion and science--Congresses., Nuclear energy--Congresses.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360561
Title:
"Hark the herald angels sing."
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: ‘HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING’ #C-4905 PHILADELPHIA -- These three pert misses, dressed in native Ukrainian costumes, lift their voices in Christmas harmony. Left to right are Anne Orik, Anne Marcy and Mary Bega, all of this city. They are members of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral choir. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JD-PHIL-BS-12B-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral (Philadelphia, Pa.), Marcy, Anne., Bega, Mary., Orik, Anne.
Topics:
Carols., Choirs (Music)--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Ukrainian Americans--Clothing., Ethnic costume--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Christmas music.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360537
Title:
Stepanic protest meeting.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: STEPINAC PROTEST MEETING #C-4886 PHILADELPHIA -- Convention Hall is jammed with 25,000 Catholics from all parishes of this city and its environs for a gigantic protest meeting that asked President Truman and the State Department to insist on the release of Archbishop Louis Stepinac, convicted Yugoslav prelate. The rally, sponsored by the local chapter of the Catholic War Veterans, was attended by Dennis Cardinal Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia. The huge throng was the largest ever assembled in the municipal auditorium. Thousands were unable to get in and listened to the proceedings broadcast by loud speakers outside. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JD-PHIL-BS-12A-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Municipal Auditorium (Philadelphia, Pa.), Stepinac, Alojzije, 1898-1960--Imprisonment., Catholic Church--Bishops., Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc.
Topics:
Communism and Christianity--Yugoslavia., Communism and Christianity--Catholic Church., Demonstrations--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Prisoners and prisons--Yugoslavia.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.), Yugoslavia.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360536
Title:
Passionist nuns open new convent.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PASSIONIST NUNS OPEN NEW CONVENT #C-4815 SCRANTON, Pa. -- Here is an unusual photograph of five sisters of the Passionist Order, taken as they leave their convent here to journey to Owensboro, Ky., where they will open a new one -- the order’s third in the United States. Because they voluntarily seclude themselves from worldly affairs and take vows of enclosure which confine them to the convent except in case of severe illness or as in this instance, to further the work of the order, Passionist nuns are rarely photographed. They speak to each other only during meals, occupy their time with work, spiritual readings and prayer. Mother Mary Agnes (center), a member of the order for 33 years, is Mother Superior of the new Owensboro group. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JG-OLYPH-PA-BS-11C-6-C)
Creator:
Greskovic, John, Jr. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Passionist Sisters., Roche, Mary Agnes.
Topics:
Nuns--Pennsylvania--Scranton., Enclosure (Monasticism), Monasticism and religious orders., Monasticism and religious orders for women., Monastic and religious life of women.
Geographic subjects:
Scranton (Pa.), Owensboro (Ky.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360525
Title:
Evangelicals, United Brethren achieve unity.
Description:
Clipping from an unknown issue of an unknown publication.
Creator:
Rue, J. (contributor)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Evangelical United Brethren Church., Evangelical United Brethren Church. General Conference., Evangelical Church., Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New constitution)
Topics:
Christian union--Pennsylvania--Johnstown., Congresses and conventions--Pennsylvania--Johnstown.
Geographic subjects:
Johnstown (Cambria County, Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360363
Title:
Touch of old world Christmas spirit.
Description:
Includes clipping from an unknown issue of an unknown publication.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral (Philadelphia, Pa.), Marcy, Anne., Bega, Mary., Orik, Anne.
Topics:
Carols., Choirs (Music)--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Ukrainian Americans--Clothing., Ethnic costume--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Christmas music.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360361
Title:
First woman delegate to Episcopal convention.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #S-4476 FIRST WOMAN DELEGATE TO EPISCOPAL CONVENTION PHILADELPHIA -- First woman in the history of the Protestant Episcopal Church to be seated in the House of Deputies as an official delegate is Mrs. Randolph H. Dyer, of St. Louis, wife of vestryman of St. Peter’s Church there. She was accepted by the House at the 55th triennial General Convention of the Church here. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JD-PHILA-MES-9B-6-W-A-E)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Episcopal Church. House of Clerical and Lay Deputies., Dyer, Elizabeth Huntington.
Topics:
Christian leadership--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Christian leadership--Episcopal Church., Christian women--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Women religious leaders--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Religious leaders--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360326
Title:
Mennonites hold general conference.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #S-4341 MENNONITES HOLD GENERAL CONFERENCE SOUDERTON, Pa. -- One hundred and eleven delegates and several hundred ministers representing churches in more than 30 states, India, South America and Canada participated here in a special session of the General Conference of the Mennonite Church. Photo shows delegates at noon recess. Souderton is the oldest Mennonite settlement in America, and the General Conference represents the oldest and largest groups of Mennonites in this country, with a constituency of almost 60,000. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (SOUD-PA-MES-8E-6-W)
Creator:
Harvey, D.S. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Mennonite General Conference., Mennonite Church--Congresses.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Pennsylvania--Souderton., Clergy conferences--Pennsylvania--Souderton.
Geographic subjects:
Souderton (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360323
Title:
Medical mission Sisters turn printers.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #C-4479 MEDICAL MISSION SISTERS TURN PRINTERS PHILADELPHIA -- Practical work is no stranger to the Medical Mission Sisters who work in the Order’s motherhouse in the Fox Chase district here. In its printing plant is printed all the stationery and literature necessary for the promotion of the Mission Sisters’ work. Feeding the press is Sister Mary Winifred, behind her Sister Mary Andrew. The Order was founded in 1925 by Mother Anna Dengel, M.D. It aids in extending medical science to the women of the Far East, particularly in India where the sisters have three hospitals, all staffed by Mission Sisters. There are 60 postulants and novices at the Mother House here, many of whom will serve as doctors, nurses and technicians or in other professions. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JD-PHIL-MES-9B-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Medical Mission Sisters.
Topics:
Missionaries, Medical--India., Nuns--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia., Publishers and publishing., Religious literature--Distribution., Women missionaries--India., Missionaries--India.
Geographic subjects:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360307
Title:
Parochial students board buses despite ban.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #C-4468 PAROCHIAL STUDENTS BOARD BUSES DESPITE BAN KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Taking matters into their own hands, students of St. Patrick’s parochial school here climb into school buses run by the town’s school board after the board had barred them from using the vehicles. Armed with American flags, children marched through the streets here from their school to public Consolidated School where the buses were parked. Authorities made no move to enforce the school board ruling. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JD-PHILA-MES-9B-6-C)
Creator:
Desideris, Joe. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., St. Patrick School (Kennett Square, Pa.)
Topics:
Church schools--Pennsylvania--Kennett Square., School boards--Law and legislation--Pennsylvania--Kennett Square., Student protesters--Pennsylvania--Kennett Square.
Geographic subjects:
Kennett Square (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360306
Title:
Harvest service.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #4606 HARVEST SERVICE PITTSBURGH -- Harry E. Martin, president of the board of trustees of the Smithfield St. Methodist church here, and Mrs. Laureta Rawsthorne, secretary to Methodist Bishop James H. Straughn, of Pittsburgh, decorate the altar of the church with farm produce in preparation for the historic Harvest Homecoming service. The service has been held in the Autumn ever since the founding of the church in 1788, with the exception of the war years. Service marked the 158th anniversary of the founding of Methodism in Pittsburgh. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (AMH-PITTS-MES-10B-6-M)
Creator:
PIllsker, Herman. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Martin, Harry E., Smithfield Street United Methodist Church (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Rawsthorne, Laureta., Straughn, James H., Methodist Church (U.S.)--Bishops.
Topics:
Trusts and trustees--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh., Church secretaries--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh., Church decoration and ornament--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh., Harvest festivals--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
Geographic subjects:
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360293
Title:
Greek Catholic altar.
Description:
Text transcribed from annotations: #4261 GREEK CATHOLIC ALTAR The imported altar of the Greek Catholic Church of Braddock has been redecorated for the Golden Jubilee on Memorial Day. The altar was imported from Italy and the marble came from the Isle of Capri.
Creator:
Heruisman, Martin. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Saints Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church (Braddock, Pa.)--Anniversaries, etc., Catholic Church Byzantine rite--Buildings.
Topics:
Altars--Pennsylvania--Braddock., Church decoration and ornament--Pennsylvania--Braddock., Anniversaries--Pennsylvania--Braddock., Memorial Day.
Geographic subjects:
Braddock (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360247
Title:
First sermon by first woman student.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #4259 FIRST SERMON BY FIRST WOMAN STUDENT LANCASTER, Pa. -- Twenty-two-year-old Beatrice Weaver, of Bethlehem, Pa., first full-time woman student at the Evangelical and Reformed Church Theological Seminary here, preaches her first sermon in the seminary chapel before a congregation of her fellow students. Although she cannot become an ordained minister in the Church, she plans to enter one of the other fields open to ministerial graduates. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (MLS-LAN-PA-MES-8B-6-M-W-R)
Creator:
Dare, Doug. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Evangelical and Reformed Church. Theological Seminary., McConnell, Beatrice Weaver., Evangelical and Reformed Church.
Topics:
Women seminarians--Pennsylvania--Lancaster., Seminarians--Pennsylvania--Lancaster., Women college students--Pennsylvania--Lancaster., College students--Pennsylvania--Lancaster.
Geographic subjects:
Lancaster (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360246
Title:
Immigrants to celebrate anniversary of church: Braddock Greek Catholics to hold Golden Jubilee Services on Memorial Day.
Description:
Newspaper column from The Pittsburgh Press.
Creator:
Heruisman, Martin. (photographer), Faust, William J. (author), Pittsburgh Press. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Saints Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church (Braddock, Pa.)--Anniversaries, etc., Catholic Church Byzantine rite--Buildings., Grigassy, Julius.
Topics:
Altars--Pennsylvania--Braddock., Church decoration and ornament--Pennsylvania--Braddock., Anniversaries--Pennsylvania--Braddock., Memorial Day.
Geographic subjects:
Braddock (Pa.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360239

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