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:
"Irish Travelers" return to Memphis.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: ‘IRISH TRAVELERS’ RETURN TO MEMPHIS #c-3443 MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- For 75 years bands of roving horse traders traveled through the South, descendants of Irish who had emigrated from County Mayo in the early 1800s. Although they were commonly referred to as gypsies, the more enlightened Southerners called them “Irish Travelers.” Each year they came to Memphis for one day to hold their weddings and funerals. Although the advent of the automobile saw many of them leave the road, they still follow the business of horse trading throughout many towns of the South -- and gather in Memphis once a year. Here five couples kneel before the altar of St. Thomas church in a quintuple wedding. The five couples are (left to right): John J. Riley and Ann Theresa Carroll; James Carroll and Ann Theresa Riley; John Costello and Marie Costello (no relation); John Costello, a first cousin of the previous John Costello, and Mary Marie Carroll; Thomas Nelson and Betty Riley. Youngest attendant at the wedding was eight-month-old “Red” Nelson. The oldest was his great-grandfather, 87-year-old “Red” Nelson, a son of one of the original immigrants. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (WIN-MEM-MES-5A-6-C)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Liturgy., Catholic Church--Clergy.
Topics:
Irish Travellers (Nomadic people)--Tennessee--Memphis., Marriage service--Tennessee--Memphis., Irish Travellers (Nomadic people)--Marriage customs and rites., Marriage customs and rites--Tennessee--Memphis., Mass., Clergy--Tennessee--Memphis., Weddings--Tennessee--Memphis.
Geographic subjects:
Memphis (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359560
Title:
Atomic energy harnessed.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: ATOMIC ENERGY HARNESSED #3643 Under direction of the War Department, the combined efforts of science, industry, and labor have culminated in the production of the atomic bomb, the most potent weapon in military history. Research and manufacture of the bomb was a closely guarded secret. Three plants, located in isolated areas of Tennessee, New Mexico, and Washington were so compartmentalized that workers had no knowledge of the finished product. On August 5th the first bomb was dropped on Japan and the secret revealed to the world. At Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a government-owned and operated city was established to accommodate construction workers, plant operators, and their immediate families, the city containing all religious, recreational, educational and all other facilities of a modern small city. Here is a view of a section of the town, a chapel in the foreground, business section and dormitories in the rear. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Oak Ridge National Laboratory., Manhattan Project (U.S.)
Topics:
Atomic bomb., Church buildings--Tennessee--Oak Ridge., Industrial housing--Tennessee--Oak Ridge., Cities and towns--Tennessee--Oak Ridge.
Geographic subjects:
Oak Ridge (Tenn.), Oak Ridge (Tenn.)--Buildings, structures, etc.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359533
Title:
Preaches the spoken and unspoken word.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PREACHES THE SPOKEN AND UNSPOKEN WORD #1781 MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- To facilitate his ministry to the deaf, the Rev. W. A. Westerman (above) preaches his sermons orally and through sign language -- simultaneously. Thus he is able to deliver his message to both, those who understand the sign language and those who practice lip readings. Mrs. Westerman works under the Lutheran Missouri Synod in the territory covering Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and parts of Kentucky and North Carolina. In 1945 he traveled 54,000 miles to conduct services for the deaf. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (CN-MT-MES-2C-6-O-L-D)
Creator:
Religious News Service., 1919- (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Westermann, W.A., Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod--Clergy.
Topics:
Clergy--Tennessee--Memphis., Interpreters for the deaf--Tennessee--Memphis., Translating and interpreting--Tennessee--Memphis.
Geographic subjects:
Memphis (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358615
Title:
Nun studies at nuclear institute.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-29702 NUN STUDIES AT NUCLEAR INSTITUTE OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- A nun studies at the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies at Oak Ridge, Tenn. Mother M. de l’Enfant Jesus, R.S.H.M., of Marymount College, Tarrytown, N.Y., is attending a four-week special program on “Isotope Technology” at the institute. An assistant professor of chemistry, Mother de l’Enfant is one of 12 U.S. science teachers participating in the program under a National Science Foundation grant. She has won degrees from Marymount, Catholic University of America, the University of London, and Tufts University. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (M-TN-8A-63-W)
Creator:
Marymount College (Tarrytown, N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies--Students., Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies., Fordham University. Marymount College--Faculty., Maryknoll Sisters., National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Topics:
Nuns--Tennessee--Oak Ridge., Nuns as teachers--New York (State)--Tarrytown., Nuclear chemistry--Study and teaching--Tennessee--Oak Ridge., College teachers--New York (State)--Tarrytown., Women college teachers--New York (State)--Tarrytown.
Geographic subjects:
Oak Ridge (Tenn.), Tarrytown (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358030
Title:
Studying at Oak Ridge.
Creator:
Marymount College (Tarrytown, N.Y.) (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies--Students., Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies., Fordham University. Marymount College--Faculty., Maryknoll Sisters., National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Topics:
Nuns--Tennessee--Oak Ridge., Nuns as teachers--New York (State)--Tarrytown., Nuclear chemistry--Study and teaching--Tennessee--Oak Ridge., College teachers--New York (State)--Tarrytown., Women college teachers--New York (State)--Tarrytown.
Geographic subjects:
Oak Ridge (Tenn.), Tarrytown (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357921
Title:
Church offers free rides to worshippers.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #56 CHURCH OFFERS FREE RIDES TO WORSHIPPERS Knoxville, Tenn. -- Each Sunday, eight buses go into the highways from the Bible Baptist Church here to pick up worshippers at the church as well as the children attending Sunday school. Each bus carries a placard "Bring Your Bible and Your Friend." The photo was taken as the church-goers were boarding the buses for home. Twenty buses now take people free to 11 churches of different denominations in Knoxville and then take them home after Sunday school and church. The idea has been gradually spreading nationally. It has the approval of ODT. Credit Line Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO
Creator:
Ogden. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Bible Baptist Church (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Topics:
Sunday schools--Tennessee--Knoxville., Church attendance--Tennessee--Knoxville., Church work with children--Tennessee--Knoxville.
Geographic subjects:
Knoxville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:357615
Title:
Four denominations form Appalachian council.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-31855 FOUR DENOMINATIONS FORM APPALACHIAN COUNCIL KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- Representative of four denominations joined to form a Pan Presbyterian Appalachian Council in Kingsport, Tenn., to fight spiritual poverty in the area. Among those at the meeting were heads of three denominations. Left to right are: Dean Felix B. Gear of Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga., moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (Southern); Dr. Edler G. Hawkins of New York, moderator of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.; and the Rev. Gordon L. Van Oostenburg of Holland, Mich., president of the Reformed Church in America. The fourth denomination participating in the council is the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The new agency will conduct cooperative studies, develop mission strategy and carry out various programs in the Appalachian region. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (FRE-11D-64-NAB)
Creator:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Pan Presbyterian Appalachian Council (Kingsport, Tenn.), Hawkins, Edler Garnett, 1908-1977., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., Gear, Felix B., Presbyterian Church in the U.S., Reformed Church in America., Van Oostenburg, Gordon Leon.
Topics:
Clergy--Tennessee--Kingsport., Interdenominational cooperation--Appalachian Region., African American clergy--Tennessee--Kingsport., Christian union--Presbyterians.
Geographic subjects:
Kingsport (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356643
Title:
New understanding sought through interracial visits.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-30921 NEW UNDERSTANDING SOUGHT THROUGH INTERRACIAL VISITS KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Negro and white Presbyterian clergymen and their families spend an afternoon in friendly conversation in Knoxville, Tenn. The interracial family meeting was part of the first National Home Visit Day, an interreligious effort aimed at improving communication and understanding between races. Some 100,000 whites and Negroes in 112 cities, including 30 in the South, took part. Shown here, from left to right, top, are the Rev. and Mrs. James Reese, the Rev. and Mrs. David Mair, and Mildred Reese; and on the floor, Andrew Mair, Foster Reese, Douglas Mair and James Reese. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (MR-K-4D-64-NBM)
Creator:
Ragsdale, Margaret. (photographer), The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tenn.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Reese, James Foster., Reese, Neola Parrish., Mair, David Thurber., Mair, Patricia., Mair, Andrew David., Mair, Douglas., Reese, Mildred., Reese, Foster E., Reese, James L.
Topics:
Clergy--Tennessee--Knoxville., African American clergy--Tennessee--Knoxville., Ecumenical movement--Tennessee--Knoxville., Interdenominational cooperation--Tennessee--Knoxville., Children--Tennessee--Knoxville.
Geographic subjects:
Knoxville (Tenn.)--Race relations., Knoxville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:348345
Title:
Controversial photo.
Description:
The Southern Baptist Sunday School Board recalled an entire press run -- over 160,000 copies -- of an education quarterly before distribution in order to replace this photograph and the article it illustrated. Officials of the Board considered the article, "A Ministry of Reconciliation" by Mrs. Twyla Wright of Arizona, and the photo "potentially inflammatory" and directed a "revision" of the Jan.-March issue of "Becoming," along with a corresponding teachers' guide.
Creator:
Engh, Rohn. (photographer), Wide World Photos, Inc. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Southern Baptist Convention. Sunday School Board.
Topics:
Product recall--Tennessee--Nashville., Race relations--Religious aspects--Baptists., Race relations--Religious aspects--Christianity.
Geographic subjects:
Nashville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:149911
Title:
The Commercial Appeal.
Description:
Front page of "The Commercial Appeal," Tuesday, November 2, 1948. Features an image and a related caption of the Janesko family, a family recently displaced from Europe.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., St. Michael's Catholic Church (Memphis, Tenn.), Catholic Church--Tennessee--Memphis., Janesko, Louis.
Topics:
Refugees--Europe., Refugee children--Europe., Church work with refugees--Tennessee--Memphis., Priests--Tennessee--Memphis.
Geographic subjects:
Memphis (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:149234
Title:
A hitch towards heaven.
Description:
Caption written by Margaret Ragsdale of the Knoxville News-Sentinel regarding a photo of University of Tennessee students hitch-hiking to church.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., University of Tennessee., Martin, Philip., York, Carol.
Topics:
Hitchhiking--Tennessee--Knoxville., Christian college students--Tennessee--Knoxville., Christian college students--Transportation--Tennessee--Knoxville.
Geographic subjects:
Knoxville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:149177
Title:
DP family offers thanks to God.
Description:
The Opilka family gives thanks at St. Michael's Church in West Memphis.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., St. Michael's Catholic Church (Memphis, Tenn.), Catholic Church--Tennessee--Memphis., Janesko, Louis.
Topics:
Refugees--Europe., Refugee children--Europe., Church work with refugees--Tennessee--Memphis., Priests--Tennessee--Memphis.
Geographic subjects:
Memphis (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:148655
Title:
Students hitch-hike to church services.
Description:
Two University of Tennessee students hitch-hike their way to a downtown church.
Creator:
Ragsdale, Margaret. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., University of Tennessee., Martin, Philip., York, Carol.
Topics:
Hitchhiking--Tennessee--Knoxville., Christian college students--Tennessee--Knoxville., Christian college students--Transportation--Tennessee--Knoxville.
Geographic subjects:
Knoxville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:148502
Title:
NAACP's Hooks and Theologian Marty Featured Speakers at RCC Meetings.
Subject names:
Religious News Services--Archives., Religious Communications Congress/1980., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People., Hooks, Benjamin L. (Benjamin Lawson), 1925-2010., Marty, Martin E., -1928.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Tennessee--Nashville., Mass Media--Religious aspects.
Geographic subjects:
Nashville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:147301
Title:
Student Summer Missionaries Build Baptist Mission.
Creator:
Smith, Paul R. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Southern Baptist Convention.
Topics:
College students in missionary work., Home missions--Tennessee--Spencer., Home missions--Tennessee--Spencer.
Geographic subjects:
Spencer (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:147279
Title:
Student Summer Missionaries Build Baptist Mission.
Creator:
Smith, Paul R. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Southern Baptist Convention.
Topics:
College students in missionary work., Home missions--Tennessee--Spencer., Home missions--Tennessee--Spencer.
Geographic subjects:
Spencer (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:147265
Title:
NAACP's Hooks and Theologian Marty Featured Speakers at RCC Meetings, press release.
Description:
Religious News Service press release.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Religious Communications Congress/1980., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People., Hooks, Benjamin L. (Benjamin Lawson), 1925-2010., Marty, Martin E., -1928.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Tennessee--Nashville., Mass media--Religious aspects., Mass media--Religious aspects., Mass media--Moral and ethical aspects--Tennessee--Nashville.
Geographic subjects:
Nashville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:147262
Title:
NAACP's Hooks and Theologian Marty Featured Speakers at RCC Meetings, press release.
Description:
Religious Communications Congress press release.
Creator:
Religious Communications Congress. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Religious Communications Congress/1980., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People., Hooks, Benjamin L. (Benjamin Lawson), 1925-2010.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Tennessee--Nashville., Mass media--Religious aspects., Mass media--Religious aspects., Mass media--Moral and ethical aspects--Tennessee--Nashville.
Geographic subjects:
Nashville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:147253
Title:
Student Summer Missionaries Build Baptist Mission.
Creator:
Smith, Paul R. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Southern Baptist Convention.
Topics:
College students in missionary work., Home missions--Tennessee--Spencer., Home missions--Tennessee--Spencer.
Geographic subjects:
Spencer (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:147215
Title:
NAACP's Hooks and Theologian Marty Featured Speakers at RCC Meetings, press release.
Description:
Religious Communications Congress press release.
Creator:
Religious Communications Congress. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Religious Communications Congress/1980., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People., Hooks, Benjamin L. (Benjamin Lawson), 1925-2010.
Topics:
Congresses and conventions--Tennessee--Nashville., Mass media--Religious aspects., Mass media--Religious aspects., Mass media--Moral and ethical aspects--Tennessee--Nashville.
Geographic subjects:
Nashville (Tenn.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:147204

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