Salvation Army’s 140th anniversary
The Warragul Salvation Army is celebrating its 140th anniversary this weekend.
Past and present church members as well as members of the public are welcome to attend the celebration which culminates with a concert at the church at 2pm on Sunday. The concert is preceded by a worship service at 9.30am. Majors Warren and Kirsten Elliott - who led the Warragul corps of the church from 2003 through to 2009 will lead the service.
The Salvation Army Church was founded in England in 1865 by a one-time Methodist preacher William Booth and his wife Catherine. Its founder sought to bring salvation to the poor and hungry and it is this emphasis that it has become most well known for across the world.
The Salvation Army has been an integral part of the Warragul community from very early on in the town’s existence. The church held its first meeting in Warragul on April 11, 1884 at the Athenaeum Hall in Queen St (now Cloud Chat) and has continued to be a vital part of the community through its church services and charity operations ever since.
The church occupied various short term premises in 1884. For a short time it operated out of Tait’s blacksmith’s shop in Napier St before moving operations to a cabinet maker owned by Henry and Priscilla Walters on Alfred St- the site of the Warragul Saleyards until its recent sale. According to the church’s historical document - The Faithful Band - this area at the time was known as “Irish Town” for its number of small buildings occupied by large families.
Later in 1884, the church was able to secure land at 53 Smith St and remarkably the “barracks” was developed there in only four months. Over the years the building was renovated a number of times before being demolished and totally rebuilt in 1969. This building was known as the Citadel and it held its first service in 1970. This site remained the headquarters for the Warragul Corps up until 2000 when it moved to its current site at 120 Burke St.
Current leader of the Warragul Corps of the Salvation Army, Major Jennie Frost said the weekend celebration would be a fitting tribute to such a remarkable anniversary.
“The whole weekend and particularly the concert on Sunday will be a fantastic celebration of the 140th anniversary. We encourage anyone to come and celebrate with us on Sunday afternoon.”
As well as the celebration concert and service on Sunday, a meet and greet and a trivia competition will be held across the weekend.
Further information about the event can be found on the Warragul Salvation Army Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ warragulsalvos/) or by calling the church on 5623 1090.