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:
An informal meeting at Geneva.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: AN INFORMAL MEETING AT GENEVA #1908 GENEVA -- Delegates to the first post-war meeting of the Provisional Committee of the World Council of Churches gather outside the council’s headquarters here for an informal chat between discussions. They are (left to right): Bishop Ingve Brilioth of the Swedish Lutheran Church; Dr. J. Hutchinson Cockburn, Scotland, director of the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-church Aid, and Dr. H. S. Alivisatos of the Greek Orthodox Church. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-MES-2D-6-A-E-L)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Provisional Committee., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Brilioth, Yngve, 1891-1959., Svenska kyrkan--Bishops., Cockburn, J. Hutchinson (James Hutchinson), 1882-, Church of Scotland--Clergy., Alivizatos, Amilkas S., 1887-1969.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Bishops--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358674
Title:
Germany's Bishop Wurm at World Council conclave.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: GERMANY’S BISHOP WURM AT WORLD COUNCIL CONCLAVE #1906 GENEVA -- Bishop Theophil Wurm, head of the Evangelical Church of Germany is shown at the first post-war meeting of the Provisional Committee of the World Council of Churches here. Bishop Wurm has been one of the leading figures in the renaissance of the German church since the end of the war and was instrumental in drawing up the Stuttgart declaration last October which affirmed the church’s part in the guilt of his nation. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-MES-2D-6-L)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Provisional Committee., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Wurm, Theophil, 1868-1953., Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland--Bishops.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Bishops--Switzerland--Geneva., World War, 1939-1945--Religious aspects--Germany., Guilt--Germany.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358673
Title:
Michelfelder addresses Geneva meeting.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: MICHELFELDER ADDRESSES GENEVA MEETING 1847 GENEVA -- Dr. Sylvester C. Michelfelder, of Toledo, Ohio, director of the Division of Material Aid of the World Council of Churches (standing) speaks at the quarterly meeting of the Reconstruction Committee of the council here. Michelfelder is between Dr. Robbins W. Barstow, director of the Commission for World Council Service, New York (left) and Eric Duncan of the Student Christian Movement, representing the Church of Scotland. Woman seated nearest camera is Mme. Dora Bourquin, secretary to the Rev. Dr. J. Hutchinson Cockburn of Scotland. Next to her is Dr. Henry Smith Leiper, American secretary of the World Council. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO RR-GE-MES-2D-6 L-TB-O
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence., Barstow, Robbins Wolcott., Duncan, Eric., Bourquin, Dora., Leiper, Henry Smith, 1891-1975.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358661
Title:
Dr. Koechlin.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Koechlin, Alphons.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358660
Title:
Leiper, Visser 't Hooft, and an unidentified man.
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Visser’t Hooft, W. M. (Willem M.), Leiper, Henry Smith, 1891-1975.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Clergy--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358654
Title:
Niemoeller & Weymarn.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Niemöller, Martin, 1892-1984.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358644
Title:
Indian leader at missions meeting.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: INDIAN LEADER AT MISSIONS MEETING #1816 GENEVA -- Among the delegates from all parts of the world who attended the recent meeting of the International Missionary Council here was Prof. Paul D. Devanandan of India (above). Prof. Devanandan, a member of the staff of the United Theological College, Bangalore, came here from Birmingham, England, where he is visiting professor in comparative religion for the Paten Memorial Foundation at Selly Oak Colleges. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RB-NY-MES-2D-6)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Devanandan, Paul David., United Theological College (Bangalore, India)--Faculty.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Missions--Congresses.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358643
Title:
Scene of World Council meeting.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: SCENE OF WORLD COUNCIL MEETING #1815 GENEVA -- The first post-war meeting of the Provisional Committee of the World Council of Churches was held at the Council’s new headquarters here (above). Shown leaving the building is Dr. John R. Mott (left), of New York, a vice chairman of the Provisional Committee and president of the World’s Alliance of the YMCA. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-MES-2D-6)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Provisional Committee., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Mott, John R. (John Raleigh), 1865-1955.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358642
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:
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

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