the buildings on the north side of Hallfield lane, inside the grounds of the High School, make up the Community Church of the Salvation Army and was established in Wetherby 20 years ago. The buildings comprising The Sanctuary, Revelation and The Prayer Bunker, attend to the needs of the local community, particularly vulnerable younger people, working closely with the High School providing education, guidance, support, meals and drinks regularly throughout the week. It also supports the people within Wetherby especially in the social housing estates surrounding it. You can access the buildings through the entrance to the High School a little further along the pavement, just turn right and walk back to the Sanctuary. You will be made most welcome.
The Salvation Army was founded in London’s East End in 1867 by one-time Methodist Reform Church minister William Booth and his wife Catherine. Originally, Booth named the organisation the East London Christian Mission. The name The Salvation Army developed from an incident on 19 and 20 May. William Booth was dictating a letter to his secretary George Scott Railton and said, “We are a volunteer army.” Bramwell Booth heard his father and said, “Volunteer! I’m no volunteer, I’m a regular!” Railton was instructed to cross out the word “volunteer” and substitute the word “salvation”. The Salvation Army was modelled after the military, with its own flag (or colours) and its own hymns, often with words set to popular and folkloric tunes sung in the pubs. Booth and the other soldiers in “God’s Army” would wear the Army’s own uniform, for meetings and ministry work. He became the “General” and his other ministers were given appropriate ranks as “officers”. Other members became “soldiers
The Salvation Army is an international charitable organisation well structured. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.5 million, consisting of soldiers, officers and adherents known as Salvationists. It has a concept bringing aid and salvation to the poor in spirit and those in poverty, the destitute and hungry by meeting both their “physical and spiritual needs”. It is present in 127 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless, education and providing personal hygiene products and disaster relief and humanitarian aid to those in need.
Thank you to Michael Hare for providing this information
