Introduction

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Introduction

The Salvation Army is a Protestant denomination of the Christian Church with over 1.6 million members in 109 countries.

In the UK there are over 800 Salvation Army parishes (known as corps), over 1,500 ordained ministers (known as officers) and 54,000 members (including senior soldiers, adherents and junior soldiers).

Salvation Army officers wear a military-style uniform, though some officers may wear a more informal uniform when undertaking certain duties. Members of the church often choose to wear a uniform, but are not required to do so.

Salvation Army halls are registered as places of worship. Salvation Army officers are ordained ministers of religion, and can conduct weddings and funerals.

The Salvation Army is famous for its work with people who have fallen on hard times: it offers help to the elderly, the young, offenders, drug addicts and blind and disabled people; it provides food and shelter for the homeless and operates food distribution centres.

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865, in the East End of London, by William Booth, an evangelist who wanted to offer practical help to the poor and destitute, as well as preaching the Gospel to them. It was originally called the Christian Mission, but changed its name to the Salvation Army in 1878.

In brief

• The Salvation Army is an evangelical Protestant denomination of the universal Christian Church
• It is a 'holiness' movement
• Its message is based on the Bible
• Its ministry is motivated by the love of God
• Its mission is:
  • to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
  • to meet human needs in His name without discrimination
• Its theology is mainstream Protestant
• It is famous for:
  • Its evangelistic work
  • Its social work
  • Its family member tracing service
  • Its quasi-military structure
  • The uniform worn by members
  • Its music
• It was founded in 1865 in London, England, by William Booth
• The name Salvation Army dates from 1878

Statistics

• Worldwide
  • 1.6 million members (including senior soldiers, adherents and junior soldiers)
  • Found in 109 countries
  • 15,339 corps (parishes or church units)
  • 17,346 full time ministers (officers)
  • 1,000 schools and 250 hospitals and clinics worldwide, in impoverished areas
  • 2,500 bands - both brass ensembles and other styles of music
• UK
  • Over 54,000 members (including senior soldiers, adherents and junior soldiers)
  • Over 800 corps (parishes or church units)
  • Over 1500 full time ministers (officers)

Salvation Army officers with Lorraine Kelly and Philip Schofield launching the annual Pass the Parcel Christmas Toy Appeal ©

Odds and ends

"Strawberry Fields Forever" in the Beatles 1966 song by that name, is John Lennon's nostalgic reference to a Salvation Army orphanage called Strawberry Field in Woolton, England. Lennon is said to have played with childhood friends in the trees behind the orphanage when he was a boy.

The phrase 'on the wagon' was coined by men and women receiving the services of The Salvation Army. Former National Commander Evangeline Booth - founder William Booth's daughter - drove a hay wagon through the streets of New York to encourage alcoholics on board for a ride back to The Salvation Army. Hence, alcoholics in recovery were said to be on the wagon.