From Ecumenical to Interfaith
A decade after its founding, what would become known as the IARF was taking shape. A largely Unitarian Council had become an interfaith Congress that supported freedom, tolerance, and cooperation among religious communities. Reason and goodwill were promoted to redress social issues, and women as well as men were chosen as leaders. By 1910 a Congress included interfaith devotions, presentations and programs in the languages of its major participants, a concern for the rights of religious movements in the country where it was held, and pre or post Congress excursions or other programs.

		The last meeting of the Congress before World War I was held in July 1913 in Paris. When the Congress reconvened after the war in October 1920 in Boston, W. H. Drummond began his service as secretary. In August 1922 at the Congress at Leiden, Holland twelve nations were represented: England, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and the United States of America. A year later a youth section was founded under the name "Leiden International Bureau," which later took the name "International Religious Fellowship." In September 1927 the "Seventh Congress of Free Christians and Other Religious Liberals" met in Prague. About 150 persons registered for the Congress, but open sessions drew 1,500-2,000 participants.
W. H. Drummond