Salvation Army | History, Organization, & Facts (2024)

Salvation Army, international Christian religious and charitable movement organized and operated on a military pattern and headquartered inLondon. In the early 21st century the Salvation Army was at work in more than 130 countries and other political entities, where it preached the Gospel and operated thousands of evangelical centres, social welfare institutions, hospitals, schools, and other agencies. The organization’s iconic red kettles for collecting donations from passersby, and the bell-ringers who attend to them, have become synonymous with the Christian season. First used in 1891, at the Oakland Ferry Landing on San Francisco Bay bya Salvation Army officer trying to cover the cost of a community Christmas dinner, the red kettle is now world famous and one of the most successful examples of colourbrandingin marketing history.

The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth, a Methodist minister who began an evangelical ministry in the East End of London in 1865. He established mission stations to feed and house the poor and in 1878 changed the name of his organization to the Salvation Army. He and his son, William Bramwell Booth, gradually established the Army on a military pattern, with the elder Booth as general for life. It spread quickly over Britain and then expanded internationally.

Two schisms shook the Army in its early years. In 1884 the U.S. organization sought to establish its independence of General Booth. Upon being expelled, its leaders set up the American Salvation Army, which soon declined. In 1896 Ballington Booth, another son of the general and national commander in the United States, resigned after a dispute and set up the Volunteers of America. The Volunteers endured and is a national organization with headquarters in New York City.

The basic unit of the Army is the corps, commanded by an officer of a rank ranging from lieutenant to brigadier, who is responsible to a divisional headquarters. Divisions are grouped into territories (usually a territory is a country, except in the United States, where there are four territories).

Converts who desire to become soldiers in the Army are required to sign Articles of War and volunteer their services. The officers are the equivalent of ministers of other Protestant churches. Training for each officer consists of a two-year residence at one of the schools, followed by a five-year plan of advanced studies. Women have absolute equality with men.

The doctrines of the Army include the basic principles common to most Protestant evangelical denominations. William Booth believed that the sacraments were not necessary to the salvation of the soul. He sought to bring into his worship services an informal atmosphere that would put new converts at their ease. Joyous singing, instrumental music, clapping of hands, personal testimony, free prayer, and an open invitation to repentance characterize the services.