Religion

One hallmark of the American experience captured in the Museum's collections is the nation's broad diversity of religious faiths. Artifacts range from Thomas Jefferson's Bible to a huge "Sunstone" sculpture carved for a Mormon temple in Illinois in 1844 to a household shrine from the home of a Pueblo Indian in the 1990s. Furniture, musical instruments, clothing, cooking ware, and thousands of prints and figures in the collections have all played roles in the religious lives of Americans. The most comprehensive collections include artifacts from Jewish and Christian European Americans, Catholic Latinos, Protestant Arab Americans, Buddhist and Christian Asian Pacific Americans, and Protestant African Americans. One notable group is the Vidal Collection of carved figures known as santos and other folk religious material from the practice of Santeria in Puerto Rico.

Physical DescriptionSong and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett.
Description
Physical Description
Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett. Gilt title on maroon boards, 192 pp.
General History
The Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett, features prayers, hymns, and patriotic songs used in various military ceremonies and religious services.
date made
1942
printer
U.S. Government Printing Office
ID Number
1982.0372.01
accession number
1982.0372
catalog number
1982.0372.01
ID Number
2013.0152.01
accession number
2013.0152
catalog number
2013.0152.01
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4). 78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1947
recording artist
Booth, F. Carlton
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05025
maker number
1040
4
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05025
Religion has an essential role in military history, which is reflected in military material. Steel-covered New Testaments were popular keepsake gifts for soldiers going off to fight in World War II.
Description
Religion has an essential role in military history, which is reflected in military material. Steel-covered New Testaments were popular keepsake gifts for soldiers going off to fight in World War II. Advertised in newspapers and magazines as protection from bullets, the small books were designed to be carried in the pocket over one's heart as both symbol and shield.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1996.0217.01
accession number
1996.0217
catalog number
1996.0217.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1906
Associated Date
1946-08-28
ID Number
2018.0166.0039
accession number
2018.0166
catalog number
2018.0166.0039
George Beverly Shea. side 1: The Ninety and Nine; side 2: The SUNSHINE (Singspiration 3001), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
George Beverly Shea. side 1: The Ninety and Nine; side 2: The SUNSHINE (Singspiration 3001), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Shea, George Beverly
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05263
maker number
3001
15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05263
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
maker
Associated Press
ID Number
2013.0327.0811
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0811
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05276
maker number
20-3195
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05276
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930s-1940s
ID Number
2013.0327.0622
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0622
Press print; personal altar in a private residence; couple kneeling in front of the altar; Probably GermanyCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Press print; personal altar in a private residence; couple kneeling in front of the altar; Probably Germany
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930s-1940s
ID Number
2013.0327.0601
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0601
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: Too High, Too Wide, Too Low; side 2: Rounded Up in Glory (RCA Victor 20-3193), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released on 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: Too High, Too Wide, Too Low; side 2: Rounded Up in Glory (RCA Victor 20-3193), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released on 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05274
maker number
20-3193
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05274
Nelson Eddy (singing in four-part harmony). side 1: Nearer, My God, To Thee; side 2: Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand (Columbia 17388-D), from the album, Hymns We Love (Columbia M-646).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss.
Description

Nelson Eddy (singing in four-part harmony). side 1: Nearer, My God, To Thee; side 2: Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand (Columbia 17388-D), from the album, Hymns We Love (Columbia M-646).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Eddy, Nelson
Eddy, Nelson
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1979.1023.098
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
17388-D
M-646
catalog number
1979.1023.098
This reed organ was made by Estey Organ Company, in Brattleboro, Vermont, around 1935-1940. It is a portable or “Chaplain’s” reed organ, serial number 491204. There is a printed label inside the lid:ESTEY ORGAN COMPANYManufacturersBRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, U.S.A.No.
Description

This reed organ was made by Estey Organ Company, in Brattleboro, Vermont, around 1935-1940. It is a portable or “Chaplain’s” reed organ, serial number 491204. There is a printed label inside the lid:

ESTEY ORGAN COMPANY
Manufacturers
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, U.S.A.
No. 491204
1782

(decal on music desk):

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935 -1940
maker
Estey Organ Company
ID Number
1998.0031.01
catalog number
1998.0031.01
accession number
1998.0031
serial number
491204
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Old Rugged Cross; side 2: Read the Bible Every Day (RCA Victor 20-3196), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals" (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Old Rugged Cross; side 2: Read the Bible Every Day (RCA Victor 20-3196), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals" (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05277
maker number
20-3196
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05277
George Beverly Shea. side 1: Then Came Jesus; side 2: Balm in Gilead (Singspiration 53017), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
George Beverly Shea. side 1: Then Came Jesus; side 2: Balm in Gilead (Singspiration 53017), from the album, Under His Wings (Singspiration 15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Shea, George Beverly
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05264
maker number
53017
15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05264
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.02
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.02
Nelson Eddy (singing in four-part harmony). side 1: Abide with Me; side 2: Lead Kindly Light (Columbia 17389-D), from the album, Hymns We Love (Columbia M-646).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss.
Description

Nelson Eddy (singing in four-part harmony). side 1: Abide with Me; side 2: Lead Kindly Light (Columbia 17389-D), from the album, Hymns We Love (Columbia M-646).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Eddy, Nelson
Eddy, Nelson
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1979.1023.099
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
17389-D
M-646
catalog number
1979.1023.099
The Southernaires. side 1: My Mother's Prayers Have Followed Me: side 2: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Tru Tone 1035), from the album, Hymns From the Weather-Beaten White Washed Church (Tru Tone T 4).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: My Mother's Prayers Have Followed Me: side 2: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Tru Tone 1035), from the album, Hymns From the Weather-Beaten White Washed Church (Tru Tone T 4).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1947
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Tru Tone
ID Number
1996.0320.05283
maker number
1035
T 4
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05283
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3060.02
nonaccession number
2008.3060
catalog number
2008.3060.02
This sheet music is for the song “Easter Sunday with You,” words and music by Don Reid and Henry Tobias. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1944.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Easter Sunday with You,” words and music by Don Reid and Henry Tobias. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1944.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1944
lyricist; composer
Reid, Don
Tobias, Henry
publisher
Leo Feist, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0529.02
accession number
1983.0529
catalog number
1983.0529.02
This sheet music is for the sonfg “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” with words and music by Frank Loesser. It was published by Famous Music Corp.
Description

This sheet music is for the sonfg “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” with words and music by Frank Loesser. It was published by Famous Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1942.

On a Sunday morning in December 1941, a chaplain had his most difficult assignment — to say a prayer to sailors aboard a U.S. navy ship actively under low–flying attack by the enemy firing from all directions. He quickly realized the best he could do was walk the ammunition line saying, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” Stories of the overheard phrase quickly turned into legend and passed between soldiers, eventually reaching the press and one Broadway composer and lyricist, Frank Loesser. He served in the Radio Productions Unit charged with mounting shows of popular guest stars for boosting morale of the troops.

With the phrase as the song title, he combined the stories into one set of lyrics — fact mattered not as much as the need to inspire spirit. By 1943, the song, performed by Kay Kaiser and His Orchestra, had reached no. 1 on the Billboard chart, surpassing its peak of no. 8 the previous year when performed by the Merry Macs. Loesser donated his royalties for sale of the song to the Navy Relief Society. The chaplain originally quoted wished to remain anonymous, and the episode to remain legend. Many variations on the tale, the name of the chaplain, whether or not he himself manned a gun turret to participate in the battle, and the battle's whereabouts have existed over the years.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1942
composer
Loesser, Frank
depicted
Kyser, Kay
lyricist
Loesser, Frank
publisher
Famous Music Corp.
ID Number
1983.0424.108
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.108
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: The Old Fashion Meeting; side 2: The Ninety and Nine (Singspiration 1041), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4). 78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: The Old Fashion Meeting; side 2: The Ninety and Nine (Singspiration 1041), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1947
recording artist
Booth, F. Carlton
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05023
maker number
1041
4
catalog number
1996.0320.05023
accession number
1996.0320
Press print; group gathered on street watching nuns depart a chapelCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Press print; group gathered on street watching nuns depart a chapel
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930s-1940s
ID Number
2013.0327.0587
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0587
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.05
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.05

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