The Salvation Army Celebrates its 150th Anniversary

Commemorating the charity’s global history of ‘Doing The Most Good!’

On July 2, The Salvation Army, the second largest charity in the United States, celebrates its 150th Anniversary of global service. Originating in 1865 in London, England, the organization championed and provided to the most needy, continuing today to adapt to the needs of the communities, including those throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island, in order to 'Do The Most Good.'

It all began 150 years ago. A 36-year-old Methodist minister named William Booth and his wife, Catherine, began reaching out to alcoholics, morphine addicts, prostitutes, and other “undesirables” unwelcome in polite Christian society in the slums of London, England. The Booths offered food, shelter, clothing, and the message of Christ.

In 1867, Booth had only 10 full-time workers, but by 1874, the number had grown to 1,000 volunteers and 42 evangelists, all serving under the name “The Christian Mission.” One day, as William Booth was proofing a copy of his ministry’s annual report, he noticed the phrase, “The Christian Mission is a volunteer army.” Raising an eyebrow, he crossed out the words “volunteer army” and replaced them with “Salvation Army.” From those words, his social service and spiritual ministry became known as The Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, the Army was gaining a foothold in the United States. Lieutenant Eliza Shirley had left England to join her parents, who had migrated to America earlier in search for work. In 1879, she held the first meeting of The Salvation Army in America, in Philadelphia. The Salvationists were received enthusiastically. Shirley wrote to General Booth, begging for reinforcements. None were available at first. Glowing reports of the work in Philadelphia, however, eventually convinced Booth, in 1880, to send an official group to pioneer the work in America.

On March 10, 1880, Commissioner George Scott Raiton and seven women officers knelt on the dockside at Battery Park in New York City to give thanks for their safe arrival. At their first official street meeting, these pioneers were met with unfriendly actions, as had happened in Great Britain. They were ridiculed, arrested, and attacked. Several officers and soldiers even gave their lives. Three years later, Railton and other Salvationists had expanded their operation into California, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The Booths adopted a credo, “soup, soap and salvation.” They served in that same order, concluding that people in need will not bother listening to the Good News until their most basic needs are met first. Today, 150 years later, this credo still rings true. Across America and in 126 countries around the world, The Salvation Army continues to fight for millions of souls by demonstrating the love of Christ through food and shelter programs, rehabilitation services, disaster relief, and much much more.

In global celebration, The Salvation Army’s 2015 International Congress will be held on July 1-5, 2015, to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of The Salvation Army. The congress will take place in London, UK, with 16,000 Salvationists from territories all around the world, including several from our division, in attendance. Visit http://www.boundless2015.org/ for more information on this global celebration, including live coverage.

“This is truly a blessed achievement and a reflection of how essential The Salvation Army continues to be in today’s world,” said Major David Champlin, Divisional Commander for the Southern New England Division. Last year, over 30 million people were served by The Salvation Army nationally. “We serve the community without discrimination for a higher purpose, and invite community members to support us as we continue into the future.”

To learn more about how The Salvation Army serves Connecticut and Rhode Island, please visit the various pages of our website. If you are interested in volunteering, click here. If you would like to learn about the many other ways you can help, click here.