History of RCLB
1792: The beginning
The rich history of RCL Benziger begins in 1792, when Joseph Charles Benziger began selling devotional books in the small Swiss town of Einsiedeln, a 10th-century center of monastic and Marian pilgrimage. Within a few decades, Benziger became one of Switzerland’s largest and most distinguished publishers. When lithography was invented, Joseph’s sons, Nicholas and Charles, established the first major business printing holy pictures using that process.
1853: New York and beyond
In 1853, the first Benziger printing press opened in New York City, selling religious books in Polish, German, and English. The Benziger sales wagon, which reached rural American Catholic families, carried Bibles and prayer books to communities along the Ohio River. The Holy See granted the company the title of "Printers of the Holy Apostolic See" in 1867 and the "Pontifical Institute of Christian Art" in 1888.
In 1968, Macmillan/McGraw Hill School Publishing Co. Inc. acquired Benziger, and in 1971 merged with two other companies: Bruce Publishing, founded in Milwaukee in the 1890s, and Glencoe Press, established in Beverly Hills in 1966.
Current times
In 2007, CFM Publishing purchased the Benziger name and product line from McGraw Hill and merged with the Texas-based Catholic publisher RCL (Resources for Christian Living) to form RCL Benziger. Richard Leach, a Catholic entrepreneur and founder, dedicated RCL's resources to publishing innovative, high-quality products for religious education and faith formation. That same year, RCL Benziger acquired the assets of the former Silver Burdett Ginn Religion. The combination of the three catechetical publishers resulted in a single publishing house that provides unparalleled materials and services to the Catholic faith community.
In 2016, Dubuque, Iowa-based Kendall Hunt Publishing Company acquired RCL Benziger, joining two leaders in the K-12 publishing industry. Family-owned and operated, Kendall Hunt was formerly part of William C. Brown, which published religious education materials for the Catholic faith, beginning with the Archdiocese of Chicago in the early 1970s before expanding across the United States in the 1980s under the name Brown ROA.
The acquisition by Kendall Hunt continues a long tradition of providing supreme resources to the Catholic community. This strategic milestone in the combined history of the two legacy brands, spanning more than 289 years, allows for the continued strong Catholic traditions of our Catholic community into our future.
RCL Benziger: Premier Catholic Publishing
Today, Cincinnati-based RCL Benziger is a Catholic publisher known for its pioneering multimedia product offering. The leading provider offers religious education programs for Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools, families, and individuals, including bilingual and special needs resources. RCL Benziger publishes materials for all Catholic faith formation needs, including sacramental preparation, family life, and catechist and adult faith formation.
Our mission statement
RCL Benziger is a team of resourceful and creative individuals dedicated to providing the Catholic community with the highest quality products, programs, and services rooted in the Christian faith. We are customer-focused and committed to enriching the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world. We value integrity, respectful collaboration, enthusiasm, and sound business principles.