The Salvation Army celebrates 150 years this year, and Glen Innes’ Corps has had its fair share of historical stories in the early years. Georgina Bayly compiles this report…
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A milestone for the Salvation Army has been reached this year, with 2015 marking the 150th anniversary of The Salvation Army worldwide.
The Salvation Army marked its 150 year anniversary with an International Congress in July which was called Boundless.
The congress celebrated the past and focused on new ways The Salvation Army can bring hope and light to people across the world in the future.
March 1887 marked the first ‘corps’ (Salvation Army Church) to be opened in Glen Innes.
It was the 160th Salvation Army Church to be opened in Australia.
The first officer was a Captain Ernest Booth, who very well could have been a relative of Salvation Army Founder General William Booth.
The Salvation Army was founded in the slums of London by the former Methodist minister, William Booth.
The Salvation Army spread worldwide quickly and is now operational in 126 countries around the world.
Today, the Glen Innes Salvation Army is headed by Corps Leaders, Bernie and Kate Symens.
Although they have come out of retirement with the Salvation Army several times and have held the position of Salvation Army Envoys in multiple locations.
Kate brings a little bit of Scotland to town too as she has Scottish ancestry.
Whilst still small in numbers, The Salvation Army in Glen Innes today has the same passion as it had in the early days, when The Salvation Army band used to march down the main street.
Their Sunday worship meetings are held with Sunday luncheons once a month.
“Everyone in the community is welcome for lunch once a month,” Kate said.
“It’s a time when we gather together for fun and fellowship, come and check it out.”
Various groups run during the week at The Salvation Army Glen Innes, including a bible study and home league (Salvation Army women’s group).
Bernie and Kate also visit hospitals and hotels and manage The Salvation Army’s Family Store.
“It’s been a fabulous ministry and we just thank God for it all,” says Kate.
During the 2014 Red Shield Appeal Glen Innes went above and beyond and raised $6400, which is $1400 above the target, however this year Glen Innes only reached 54 percent of their red shield target.
But above all this money will go towards supporting other Australians in need, to help with running programs for women and children, emergency welfare, addiction recovery and rural support.
Historically, The Salvation army was a relatively new church once it appeared in Australia.
The military structure, uniforms and loud band-marches and open-air meetings on the main streets of Australian towns (often right outside the pub) drew lots of attention.
An article found in the Glen Innes Examiner from January 17, 1896 showed the novelty of the early army.
It described a wedding of two local Salvationists, Brother Frederick Define and Sister Annie Ward.
The wedding was so popular the townsfolk were charge a small fee for admission to see the spectacle was made.
Staff Captain Taylor was the officiating officer and he was assisted by Captain Pleavin.
The bride wore a navy blue dress with a white sash from her right shoulder and the groom was draped in a broad red sash from his left shoulder with Salvation Army written on it.
Glen Innes also hosted Commissioner James Hay, in 1910, he was the leader of The Salvation Army in Australia at the time.
While in town he conducted an Officer’s Council, which goes to show that Glen Innes Salvation Army hosted some outstanding Salvationists.
