Salvation Army Founder, General William Booth stated: “My best men are women!” On March 8, International Women’s Day Read the full story

Oct 11th – Belleville – The world outside was laden with the rich colours of early autumn. The milling revellers at the Rathbun harbour (today Belleville harbour), however, had something else on their minds. Their eyes often swept the Bay of Quinte in anticipation of the arrival of an important guest on that Oct. 16, 1894.

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Source: The Belleville Intelligencer

For weary soldiers during the Second World War, The Salvation Army was a welcome reminder of home.My father was a military surgeon during the Second World War. In June 1944, he went ashore with one of the first waves of soldiers at Normandy. Often stationed right behind the front lines, he would perform emergency surgery for hours on end. Many men were able to return home alive because of his care. Read the full story

Thu Jun 14, Winnipeg, MB – The Salvation Army will mark the ordination of new cadets in Winnipeg for the first time in almost 80 years at an evening ceremony at Calvary Temple Saturday. Read full article…

Source: Winnipeg Free Press

2007 marks the 125th year that The Salvation Army has been giving hope through service to the marginalized throughout Canada. As the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in Canada today, The Salvation Army serves over 1.5 million people each year in over 400 communities across the country. Read the full story

June 1, 1882 The Salvation Army officially began operations in Canada, initiated by Jack Addie and Joe Ludgate in London, Ont., and by Mr. and Mrs. William Freer in Toronto about one month later. The date was reported in 1914 by Lt.-Col. Jack Addie, Secretary for Charities and Prisons, Western USA Territory, in a letter to Col. Gaskin, the Field Secretary for the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Following founder William Booth’s philosophy of providing both “soup and salvation,” by 1886 the “army” religion was being practised from Victoria to St. John’s, and through persistent social welfare work, the Army eventually won nationwide respect.

Source: National Post

May 28th, 2007 – In 1882, the Salvation Army officially began operations in Canada, following founder William Booth’s philosophy of providing both “soup and salvation.” The group began its service work in Toronto about one month later. Read full article…

Source: The Star Phoenix

The annual Ottawa Red Shield Breakfast, A Salute to our Canadian Forces, was held at the War Museum on April 28 with Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan and Major-General J.G.M. Lessard, Assistant Chief of the Land Staff. The breakfast is both a fundraiser and a thank you to groups closely associated to The Salvation Army.

Amidst the tanks, trucks and planes of war, Major-General Lessard addressed the audience of five hundred, highlighting The Salvation Army’s unique and enduring relationship with Canada’s soldiers since World War I and calling attention to Canada’s current involvement in the fight against terrorism and oppression. Guests signed greetings and messages on a giant card that will be sent to our soldiers currently stationed in Afghanistan. World War II veteran Joe Coughlin reminisced about the services the Sally Ann provided to the soldiers overseas, forever endearing itself in their hearts.

This year’s Ottawa Red Shield objective, raising money for local programs and services, is $2.3 million.

It seemed like a return to old times as a Salvation Army band attracted a crowd of curious onlookers in the central court of the Toronto Eaton Centre on Tuesday, April 25, 2006. For Salvationists the event marked a moment of pride as city officials gathered with Army leaders to unveil a plaque marking the site of the former territorial headquarters.

In her remarks, Patricia Malcolmson of Heritage Toronto thanked the staff of the Army’s territorial archives for providing the information and pictures for the plaque, and for giving a significant amount of time and effort into making this dream become a reality. The plaque itself was a historical first, as it was the first of its kind prepared in a special format that allowed pictures to be scanned in and preserved for prosperity, with the help of modern technology.

Representing the City of Toronto, Councillor Kyle Rae noted that the Army opened its first headquarters on this very site in 1886. “Though the intersection has radically changed and that original building is long gone,” he commented, “The Salvation Army’s tradition of service continues.” He also mentioned that the corner had been officially renamed Salvation Square by the city in 1987, to honour the Army’s presence on that location for more than a century.

Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, territorial commander, spoke of 24-year-old Commissioner Thomas B. Coombs, Canada’s first official Salvation Army leader, who purchased the site for $7,000. She noted how the original building, replaced in 1956, was built for $27,000—a far cry from what the property is worth today. Referring to three words on the facade of a nearby bookstore, the commissioner credited the “imagination, creativity and inspiration” of those early-day Army pioneers, and challenged her listeners to continue in their footsteps today.

Major Malcolm Robinson, divisional commander, Ontario Central Division, praised the ministry of the Toronto Temple Corps, who shared the headquarters building and ministered to the surrounding community for 109 years. Susan Allen, general manager of the Toronto Eaton Centre, recalled how the Army was given special accommodation when the mall opened in 1977, and expressed her delight in working with Heritage Toronto to acknowledge the history of the site for future generations.

Following the unveiling, an ensemble from the Ontario Central Reservist Band played a rousing rendition of O Boundless Salvation as those present took time to view the plaque and share their own memories from years gone by. With the help of the city, the plaque will receive a permanent place just outside the doors of the Eaton Centre where the headquarters building once stood. It will stand as a permanent reminder of The Salvation Army’s presence and ministry in this part of the city for many years to come.

by Major Ken Smith
Associate Editor, Salvationist