A bank of images on the history of the missions

Up to now, the memory of the missions has primarily been kept alive through literary and textual sources. In recent decades Christian missions have become the subject of controversy but undoubtedly, 19th century European missionary activities were a major cultural and religious phenomenon. Missions have changed the world. The work of missionaries has been documented and preserved in photos and films. They are a treasure of the Church and a legacy for all humanity.

The Images & Missions project has been designed to locate, identify and present many of these documents in order to preserve them and make them accessible to the public. The collected documents are the result of extensive research in many archives. Although the choice of photos is limited, they are representative of each selected archive. A large number of original photos (paper negatives, glass lantern slides, etc.) and especially films (nitrate films, 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, etc.) have been digitized and transferred to modern formats in order to prevent their loss through the rapid deterioration of the originals.

The image bank aims to serve missionaries, the young churches, historical research and the religious and secular press.

© The Images & Missions image bank was designed by SIGNIS with support from Evangelisches Missionswerk, Adveniat, Missio, Kindermissionswerk and Aid to the Church in Need. All documents (photos and films) remain the property of the agency or the congregation which has made them available to the bank. Reproduction of these documents without permission is strictly prohibited. All potential users will have to deal directly with the owners to acquire usage or dissemination rights.