Salvation Army History

William Booth was the founder and first General of The Salvation Army.  In 1865 William Booth left the Methodist ministry to preach as an independent evangelist in the slums of London’s East End.  Many converts were won, but they didn’t feel “at home” and were not welcomed by the churches in England, so Booth setup Christian Mission Centers.

In 1878 Booth adopted the name, “The Salvation Army” and was set up in a quasi-military fashion. Missions became “corps"; members became "soldiers"; ministers were "officers" and Booth himself, the General.  This “army” was furnished with uniforms, a flag, and a brass band, and they met in tents, theaters, dance halls and the outdoors.

At first, the Army was persecuted by the churches because it was so unconventional.  Despite this persecution, the Army successfully attacked social ills such as hunger, homelessness and poverty.

In 1880, Commissioner George Railton and seven young women began work in New York City, helping the poor and combining the Gospel with social work.  Thus came the saying . . . “Heart to God . . . Hand to Man.”  Salvation Army work began to spread rapidly around the world . . . to India, Australia, South America, Pakistan and many European countries.

 

By the early 1900's The Salvation Army had thousands of officers and soldiers in 36 countries.  Many special services emerged, such as women’s social work (1884), the first food depot (1888), the first Army missionary hospital (1901).  During World War II The Salvation Army operated 3,000 service units for the armed forces and led in the formation of the USO.  The Salvation Army currently serves in more than 110 countries throughout the world.

The Salvation Army officially opened in Quincy, Illinois in 1893.

Today, The Salvation Army continues to work where the need is greatest, motivated by its faith in God and its love for all people!