We built a collection of interesting objects found by our scholars in the course
of their research; by making this collection public through our web site we shared the
results of the project's research with other scholars and interested people. These objects
have played some role in some American's religious life. Some images are historical
photographs, some are more recent.
The tithing man used his church stick to waken
sleeping worshippers in New England colonial churches. (14 kb)
Local citizens attending the Pie Town Fair in New Mexico prayed
before the fair barbecue in this 1941 photo from the Farm Security administration. (31
kb)
In this 1930 advertisement, the Brunswick Corporation encouraged churches to build bowling alleys as part of their evangelical outreach.
(128 kb)
The American Baptist Publication Society advertised its products and services with
objects like this letter opener, dating from the turn
of the century. (25 kb)
From the late 1920s to the mid 1940s, many Presbyterian ministers in urban churches wore
preaching suits for Sunday services. (50 kb)
Built in 1925, Calvary House in New York embodied a
parishs changing mission over the last fifty years. (30 kb)
The Vatican web site provides a new way for an old
church to reach its audience. (79 kb)
The Upper Room building in Nashville is both a
denominational headquarters and an object of pilgrimage for readers of the devotional
magazine. (99 kb)
By providing doughnuts for doughboys during World
War I, the Salvation Army made soldiers feel at home, and made a reputation for the Army
as a service organization. (63 kb)
Money-drawing incense combines Catholic practice
and capitalist acquisitiveness in a small container. (35 kb)
This childs mezuzah reflects how traditional
religious objects can be adjusted to the market. (21 kb)
An advertising picture featuring Santa Claus and a booklet on how to limit the
commercialization of the holiday reflect the contested
nature of Christmas. (125 kb)
A prayer book and rosary set was most
likely a confirmation gift for a Catholic boy of the 1940s. (143 kb)
Bible gumcomplete with sugarless gum and
biblical versesreflects the important role the Bible plays in American religion and
commerce. (35 kb)
An anonymous artist depicted the "Old Time
Religion" with some very material artifacts. (63 kb)
In the south before air conditioning, church fans
were essentialand were also an important advertising medium. (108 kb)
A 1892 family Bible is both a reference work and a
work of art. (131 kb)
A prayer covenant from World War II was an
important devotional object for an evangelical Protestant. (90 kb)
A Cracker Jack prize reflects the
inescapability of the Bible in American culture. (63 kb)
An American Bible Society annuity provides "an income assured" as well as enabling the
spreading of the Word. (84 kb)
Farm Security Administration photographer Marion Post Wolcott pictured
primitive Baptists gathered by the river in the late
1930s. (84 kb)
A bickering family was saved by the bells
on its way to church in 1950s suburban America. (82 kb)
Far-flung missionaries could have some of the comforts of home with a kerosene refrigerator. (49 kb)
The invisible lady tricked the ear of
eighteenth century audiences, suggesting that false prophets and bogus mediums could trick
the ear just as easily. (79 kb)
Despite their apparent triviality, a collection of three preserved postcards reveal the richness of American
religious life. (70 kb)
Church World Service solicited support and donations through public
events featuring marching bands and corn syrup. (36
kb)
A Protestant pastor advocated adopting academic graduation gowns for confirmation. (21 kb)