Inventory of the Camilo José Vergara Photographs, 1977-2009

Abstract

Camilo J. Vergara is a documentary photographer, focusing on the evolution of urban spaces.

Collection of color prints from Vergara's 2009 National Building Museum exhibit Storefront Churches, with photographs of urban churches, pasters, and murals from cities around the United States. This exhibit was part of a larger collection featured in Vergara's book, How the Other Half Worships.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator: Vergara, Camilo J.
Title: Camilo José Vergara Photographs, 1977-2009
Language of Material: English, Spanish
Extent: 5.0 Linear Feet, 87 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Collection Overview

Collection consists of 85 color prints, ranging in size from 11x14 inches to 20x24 inches, as well as two 30x30 color transparencies. These images were all part of the National Building Museum's 2009 Vergara exhibit, Storefront Churches, and many are also featured in his recent book, How the Other Half Worships (2005).

Subjects include urban churches in cities throughout the United States, in particular New York City and its neighborhoods (such as Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx), Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Gary, and Camden. Vergara's photographs vary in what part of each church is highlighted: some are simply the church's exterior, offering a glimpse of the neighborhood and condition of the building; other images are taken inside the church, whether it be an abandoned sanctuary or an active praise service. The collection also contains, to a lesser extent, photographs of religious and spiritually-inspired murals and artwork from different urban environments; cemeteries and outdoor worship spaces; and some portraits of different pastors and preachers, including street preachers. Most of the churches represented in the collection are Pentecostal, Baptist, or some other branch of Evangelical Protestant Christianity.

The collection documents the evolution of church structures, such as the series of rephotography of a Chicago building that evolved from the Holy Raiders Revival Church in 1981 to the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 2009. Vergara rephotographed the building six times during that period, and each time the building's facade and surroundings had changed significantly. Vergara's photographs also offer one-time glimpses of abandoned and decaying buildings, as well as documentation of reclaimed and re-used urban structures, such as the former Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant that is now a worship center in Newark.

Administrative Information

A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 24 business hours in advance for retrieval. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Collection is restricted to educational, non-commercial use.

In addition, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

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11x14 color prints

(1 box)

Greater True Friendship Baptist Church, 2002

1842 W. Vernon, Los Angeles, California

Box 1

Mount Gaza Baptist Church, 2003

1004 Whitemarsh at Raymond, Compton, California

Box 1

Iglesia de la Profesia, 2003

11th St. at Linden, Camden, New Jersey

Box 1

St. Martin Morning Star, 2006

3416 W. 29th St., Gary, Indiana

Box 1

Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal la Senda Divina, former Kentucky Fried Chicken, 2003

585 Broadway, Newark, New Jersey

Box 1

Moorish Science Temple of America No. 25, 2008

Grand River Blvd. at Hudson

Box 1

Gospel Church According to Christ Ministries, 2002

E. Monument Ave. at N. East Ave., Baltimore, Maryland

Box 1

General Assembly Church/House of Mercy Mission, 2002

Springfield Ave. at Pierce Street, Newark, New Jersey

Box 1

Pastor Green's church, Rev. Denson by the entrance. Fellowship M.B.C. Church, 2002

410 E. 31st St., Los Angeles, California

Box 1

Congregation Ahawath Joseph, 1977

Paterson, New Jersey

Box 1

Pastor Gloria Lawton, New Life in the Great I Am Church, 2004

Bostwick Ave., Jersey City, New Jersey

Box 1

Mother Downs, House of Blessings, 1991

5440 S. State St., Chicago, Illinois

Box 1

Evangelista Martin Capeles, 2004

Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York

Box 1

Church sign with missing letters, 2000

2291 Ersbine St., Detroit, Michigan

Box 1

Little Widow's Mite B.C. Church sign, 2004

E. 147th St. at Willis Ave., S. Bronx, New York

Box 1

Home of Life Missionary Baptist Church, 2003

4650 W. Madison St., Chicago, Illinois

Box 1

Sam preaching, 2003

5th St., Skid Row, Los Angeles, California

Box 1

Iglesia Evangelica de Jesucristo Betania, 2003

1219 E. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, California

Box 1

Iglesia Pentacostal Jehova Jreh Inc., 2003

2842 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Box 1

St. Martins Spiritual Baptist Church, 2002

162A Utica Ave., Brooklyn, New York

Box 1

Red building with cross window, 1979

S. Camden, New Jersey

Box 1

Hermanas Pura y Juara, Dominican, Iglesia Sen da de Bendecion, 2001

506 Brook Ave., S. Bronx, New York

Box 1

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2006

Grand River Blvd. at Dexter, Detroit, Michigan

Box 1

Jesus Christ Saves, Heals, Delivers truck, 2006

Grant St. at N. 6th St., Camden, New Jersey

Box 1

Lawrence Moore preaching on the corner, 2004

6th St. at San Pedro, Skid Row, Los Angeles, California

Box 1

Mision Cristiana Pentacostes el Amor de Cristo, 1999

6419 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, California

Box 1

Triumph: The Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, 2004

824 W. 25th St., Gary, Indiana

Box 1

Iglesia Pentacostal Sendero de Luz, 2002

612 Union Ave., Bronx, New York

Box 1

Pure in Heart, 2000

14849 Livernois Ave., Detroit, Michigan

Box 1

When Everything Fails Try Prayer sign, 2003

5258 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago, Illinois

Box 1

If You are Going to the Jail Court or Hospital Call for Prayer sign, 2004

W. Lake St., Chicago, Illinois

Box 1

God Tabernacle of Faith, 1996

65th St., Los Angeles, California

Box 1

Sacred Heart Garden, Missionaries of the Charity, 1989

E. 167th St., Bronx, New York

Box 1

Sacred Heart Seminary, 2003

2701 Chicago Ave., Detroit, Michigan

Box 1

Zion Lutheran Church wall, 2008

4305 Military St., Detroit, Michigan

Box 1

Una Luz en el Cavino, 2004

Concord Ave., Bronx, New York

Box 1

Harvest Crusade billboard, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, 2004

International Ave. at 5th Ave., Oakland, California

Box 1

Mural by Elliott Pinkney, 1987

Compton Ave. at 36th St., Los Angeles, California

Box 1

St. Cyril and St. Methodius Church, 2003

St. Cyril St., Detroit, Michigan

Box 1

Deacon E.M. McGee, New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1998

3123 Halsted, Chicago, Illinois

Box 1

Holy Raiders Revival Church, 1981