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:
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:
The makings of a German church.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: THE MAKINGS OF A GERMAN CHURCH #s-3003 FRANKFURT -- As part of its plan to aid German churches to function again, the World Council of Churches has brought Swiss Army barracks and shipped them to Germany for use as places of worship. Here a horse-drawn cart carries a wooden steeple which will be erected atop one of the buildings. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-MES-3C-6-W)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Church buildings--Germany--Frankfurt am Main., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Religious aspects., Spires--Germany--Frankfurt am Main.
Geographic subjects:
Frankfurt am Main (Germany)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359112
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:
Bishop of Chichester in Berlin.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-1004 BISHOP OF CHICHESTER IN BERLIN BERLIN -- A little German refugee crouches by a fire at Lehrter Station and watches the Anglican Bishop of Chichester, Dr. G. K. A. Bell (directly behind the little girl). Dr. Bell was touring Berlin to inspect conditions on behalf of the World Council of Churches. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (MCE-NY-LM-11-13-5)
Creator:
Acme Newspictures (New York, N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin, Germany), World Council of Churches., Bell, G. K. A. (George Kennedy Allen), 1883-1958., Church of England--Bishops.
Topics:
Visits of state--Germany--Berlin., War relief--Germany--Berlin., Interdenominational cooperation., European cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951)
Geographic subjects:
Berlin (Germany)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358919
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:
Olivier Beguin.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #896 OLIVIER BEGUIN Olivier Beguin, young Swiss, a member of the Reformed Church, is secretary of the World Council of Churches’ work with prisoners of war. He has directed the sending of thousands of Bibles and other religious literature to POW camps. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-LM-11-5-5)
Creator:
Zaugg, Ernest. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Béguin, Olivier., Schweizerischer Evangelischer Kirchenbund., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Church work with prisoners of war--Europe., International relief--Europe., World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358890
Title:
Lutheran leader reports on relief needs.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #851 LUTHERAN LEADER REPORTS ON RELIEF NEEDS BERNE, Switzerland -- Dr. S.C. Michelfelder (standing), acting director of the new material aid division, World Council of Churches, reads report of misery in Central Europe to a press conference in Berne at which the International Red Cross and the Save the Children International Union, launched an appeal for immediate aid to prevent the starvation and freezing of millions of European children. At table are Father Alois Stegerwald, Lucerne, representative of Carita Catholica Internationalis, Catholic welfare agency, and George Thelin, Geneva, general secretary of the Save the Children Union. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-RR-10245)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-, World Council of Churches., Save the Children International Union., International Committee of the Red Cross., Thelin, George., Caritas Internationalis., Stegerwald, Alois, 1904-
Topics:
Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951), War relief--Europe., Administrative remedies--Europe., Congresses and conventions--Switzerland--Bern.
Geographic subjects:
Bern (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358869
Title:
Religious leaders launch world relief appeal.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #850 RELIGIOUS LEADERS LAUNCH WORLD RELIEF APPEAL BERNE, Switzerland -- Representatives of world organizations of three faiths held a press conference at the Hotel Metropole Monopole in Berne to launch a common, world-wide appeal in behalf of “millions of children in imminent danger of starving and freezing as winter comes to Europe.” They are (left to right) Dr. Gerard Riegner, director of the Geneva office of the World Jewish Congress; Dr. S.C. Michelfelder, Toledo, Ohio, Lutheran, now acting director of the material aid division, World Council of (Protestant-Orthodox) Churches; and Father Alois Stegerwald, Lucerne, representative of Caritas Catholica Internationalis, Catholic welfare agency. The three religious groups joined with the international Committee of the Red Cross and with the Save the Children International Union in making the appeal. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GE-RR-10245)
Creator:
Root Geneva. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Riegner, Gerhart M., World Jewish Congress., Michelfelder, Sylvester Clarence, 1889-, World Council of Churches., American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)--Clergy., Stegerwald, Alois, 1904-, Caritas Internationalis., Save the Children International Union., International Committee of the Red Cross.
Topics:
Press conferences--Switzerland--Bern., Interdenominational cooperation., Reconstruction (1939-1951), War relief--Europe.
Geographic subjects:
Bern (Switzerland)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358868
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
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:
Yugoslavia quake survivors moved to aid centers.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: P-29715 YUGOSLAVIA QUAKE SURVIVORS MOVED TO AID CENTERS SKOPJE, Yugoslavia -- A huge tent-city was raised and medical centers were established in areas surrounding earthquake-shattered Skopje, Yugoslavia, where about 80 per cent of the city was ruined and thousands died during 15 seconds of destruction on July 26. Protestant Churches around the world rushed relief supplies to the area and church-workers joined medical units and rescue teams in aiding survivors. In early airlifts, Church World Service, relief agency for the National Council of Churches, sent tents, blankets, medicines and water purification tablets. The U.S. agency also pledged $100,000 to a World Council of Churches appeal for $500,000 for the relief effort. The most seriously injured Skopje residents were removed by stretcher (top photo) to planes that rushed them to Belgrade hospitals. Those who miraculously escaped death or injury retrieved as many personal belongings as possible (bottom photo) from the rubble and moved temporarily to parks on the outskirts of the city where relief reception centers were opened. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (CWS-NY-8B-63-NBM)
Creator:
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 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., World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Earthquake damage--North Macedonia--Skopje., International relief., Disaster relief--North Macedonia--Skopje., Earthquake relief--North Macedonia--Skopje., Disaster medicine--North Macedonia--Skopje.
Geographic subjects:
Skopje (North Macedonia), Yugoslavia.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358114
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

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