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:
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:
Discuss Oslo World Christian Youth Conference.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
Root Geneva. (author)
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:359671
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:
YMCA leader in Europe.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: YMCA LEADER IN EUROPE #3273 GENEVA -- Paul B. Anderson, senior secretary of the international committee of the YMCA, is shown at the recent meeting here of the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-Church Aid of the World Council of Churches. Mr. Anderson, who has his headquarters in Paris, served for 17 years with the Y in France before the war. An Episcopalian, he represented the organization on the Allied Repatriation Commission for Prisoners of War after spending 13 months in Paris when the Germans occupied the city. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4C-6-A-E)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., World Council of Churches. Department of Inter-Church Aid., World Council of Churches--Congresses., World Alliance of YMCAs., Anderson, Paul B., 1894-1985.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., World War, 1939-1945--Repatriations.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359083
Title:
Norwegian delegate at Geneva meeting.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: NORWEGIAN DELEGATE AT GENEVA MEETING #3271 GENEVA -- The Rev. Conrad Bonnevie-Svendsen of the Norwegian Lutheran Church is shown at the recent meeting here of the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-Church Aid of the World Council of Churches. Mr. Svendsen is chairman of the reconstruction committee of the Norwegian church. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4C-6-L-Minn. Times)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., World Council of Churches. Department of Inter-Church Aid., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Bonnevie-Svendsen, Conrad, 1898-1983.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Clergy--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359082
Title:
Finnish leader at reconstruction meeting.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: FINNISH LEADER AT RECONSTRUCTION MEETING #3270 GENEVA -- The Rev. Toivo Harjunpaa of Finland takes time out for tea during the recent sessions here of the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-Church Aid of the World Council of Churches. Mr. Harjunpaa is secretary of the Finnish reconstruction committee and assistant to Archbishop Aleksi E. Lehtonen, Primate of the Finnish Lutheran Church. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4C-6-L)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., World Council of Churches. Department of Inter-Church Aid., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Harjunpää, Toivo.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Clergy--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359081
Title:
British reconstruction leader.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: BRITISH RECONSTRUCTION LEADER #3268 LONDON -- Miss Eleanora Iredale is secretary of the British Committee for Christian Reconstruction in Europe which was set up in 1943 by the British Council of Churches to cope with problems in the post-war period. Miss Iredale’s committee has worked closely with the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-Church Aid of the World Council of Churches in Geneva. Last year the group raised 1,000,000 pounds ($4,000,000) for reconstruction purposes. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4C-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Iredale, Eleanora., British Council of Churches., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., World Council of Churches. Department of Inter-Church Aid.
Topics:
Women in church work--England--London., Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Europe.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359080
Title:
Swiss, Dutch churchmen confer.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: SWISS, DUTCH CHURCHMEN CONFER #3267 GENEVA -- Pastor H.E. Hellstern, secretary of the Swiss church reconstruction committee (left) and Dr. E. Emmen, general secretary of the Netherlands Reformed Church, are shown in an informal conference between meetings of the recent sessions here of the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-Church Aid of the World Council of Churches. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4C-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., World Council of Churches. Department of Inter-Church Aid., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Hellstern, H.E., Emmen, Egbert, 1902-, Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Clergy--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359079
Title:
Church reconstruction leaders hear Beguin.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: CHURCH RECONSTRUCTION LEADERS HEAR BEGUIN #s-3245 GENEVA -- Olivier Beguin, prominent Swiss Protestant layman who is in charge of distribution of literature for the World Council of Churches, addresses a meeting here of the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-Church Aid of the World Council. The meeting planned future steps in the Council’s relief program. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4B-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., World Council of Churches. Department of Inter-Church Aid., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Béguin, Olivier.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief--Europe.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359074
Title:
Polish churchmen at reconstruction sessions.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: POLISH CHURCHMEN AT RECONSTRUCTION SESSIONS #R-3244 GENEVA -- The plight of the Polish Protestant Church was described by these three churchmen at meetings of the Department of Reconstruction and Inter-Church Aid of the World Council of Churches here. The Rev. Zygmunt Michelis, secretary of the Polish committee and Lutheran pastor from Warsaw (left), told the group that the Church in Poland is in a more serious plight than that of any other European country. Shown with Mr. Michelis are the Rev. Konstanty Najder, a Methodist (center), and the Rev. Leonid Jesakow, also a Methodist. They are respectively chairman and treasurer of the Polish committee. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4B-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction., World Council of Churches. Department of Inter-Church Aid., World Council of Churches--Congresses., Michelis, Zygmunt., Nadjer, Konstanty., Jesakow, Leonid.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva., Clergy--Switzerland--Geneva., Protestant churches--Poland., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Poland.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359073
Title:
World WMCA leaders in session.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: WORLD YMCA LEADERS IN SESSION #3196 GENEVA -- Delegates to the first meeting since the war of the executive committee of the World’s Alliance of the YMCA are shown during sessions here. The gathering drew over 100 member from 35 countries. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-4B-6-O)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Alliance of YMCAs--Congresses., World Alliance of YMCAs.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359063
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:
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:
Dutch ‘God-children’ reach Switzerland.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #905 DUTCH ‘GOD-CHILDREN’ REACH SWITZERLAND First Dutch “God-Children” arrive in Geneva under the auspices of Swiss Protestant church groups. The children, victims of war, will be given care and schooling by the church agencies. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (AHF-GE-LM-11-8-5)
Creator:
Hurst, Jack S. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Refugees--Switzerland--Geneva., War victims--Switzerland--Geneva., Christian children--Switzerland--Geneva., Home missions--Switzerland--Geneva., Missions--Interdenominational cooperation., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358892
Title:
World Church leaders plan relief campaign.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #783 WORLD CHURCH LEADERS PLAN RELIEF CAMPAIGN At this meeting of the Reconstruction Committee of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, a world church campaign to supply relief goods to homeless and starving populations was mapped. The group formed a new Division of Material Aid as part of the Reconstruction Committee. Left to right: Dr. Benjamin J. Bush, commissioner of the Presbyterian Church in the USA; Dr. W. A. Visser 't Hooft, general secretary, World Council of Churches; Dr. Alfons Koechlin, chairman of the Reconstruction Committee. Standing is Dr. Adolf Freudenberg of the World Council staff. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-LM-10155)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches. Department of Reconstruction--Congresses., Bush, Benjamin J., Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Clergy., Visser ’t Hooft, Willem Adolph, 1900-1985., World Council of Churches., Koechlin, Alphons., Freudenberg, Adolf, 1894-
Topics:
Reconstruction (1939-1951), Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., War relief--Europe., Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358838
Title:
Religious literature to Italy.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #1046 RELIGIOUS LITERATURE TO ITALY Among those at the airport in Geneva when religious literature was flown from the World Council of Churches to Italy were (left to right) Stewart Herman, Jr., an American secretary of the Council; Colonel Frank Brown, ranking Italian theater chaplain; Olivier Beguin of the Council’s Prisoner of War service, and S.C. Michelfelder, Lutheran “ambassador” to the council. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-RR-11-25-5)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Herman, Stewart W. (Stewart Winfield), 1909-2006., American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Browne, Frank, 1880-1960., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Clergy., Béguin, Olivier., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-
Topics:
Interdenominational cooperation., Missions--Italy., Reconstruction (1939-1951), Delivery of goods--Italy., Transport planes--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358810
Title:
Religious literature to Italy.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #1046 RELIGIOUS LITERATURE TO ITALY Among those at the airport in Geneva when religious literature was flown from the World Council of Churches to Italy were (left to right) Stewart Herman, Jr., an American secretary of the Council; Colonel Frank Brown, ranking Italian theater chaplain; Olivier Beguin of the Council’s Prisoner of War service, and S.C. Michelfelder, Lutheran “ambassador” to the council. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-RR-11-25-5)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches., Herman, Stewart W. (Stewart Winfield), 1909-2006., American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Browne, Frank, 1880-1960., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Clergy., Béguin, Olivier., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-, Aéroport de Genève-Cointrin.
Topics:
Interdenominational cooperation., Missions--Italy., Reconstruction (1939-1951), Delivery of goods--Italy., Transport planes--Switzerland--Geneva.
Geographic subjects:
Geneva (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358809

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