1865
Salvation Army Founded
In the East End of London, revivalist preacher
William Booth and his wife Catherine establish the Christian Mission, later
known as the Salvation Army. Determined to wage war against the evils of
poverty and religious indifference with military efficiency, Booth modeled his
Methodist sect after the British army, labeling uniformed ministers as
“officers” and new members as “recruits.”
The Christian Mission, in which women were
given ranks equal with men, launched “campaigns” into London’s most forsaken
neighborhoods. Soup kitchens were the first in a long line of various projects
designed to provide physical and spiritual assistance to the destitute. In the
early years, many in Britain were critical of the Christian Mission and its
tactics, and the members were often subjected to fines and imprisonment as
breakers of the peace.
In 1878, the organization was renamed the
Salvation Army, and two years later the first U.S. branch opened in
Pennsylvania. During the Great Depression, the Salvation Army provided food and
lodging for those in need, and during both world wars it distinguished itself
through its work with the armed forces. By then, it had come to be appreciated
as an important international charity organization.
Today, the Salvation Army, still based in
London, has branches in more than 75 countries. The Army operates evangelical
centers, hospitals, emergency and disaster services, alcohol and drug
rehabilitation programs, community centers, social work centers, secondhand
stores, and recreation facilities. Voluntary contributions and profits from the
sale of its publications fund the organization.