Salvation Army celebrates 140 year Anniversary with top brass

A Guildford church and charity is celebrating 140 years of transforming lives in its local community.

Guildford Salvation Army on Woodbridge Road is marking the milestone with a special weekend of events, with national representatives of the Christian church joining in.

All the events take place at The Salvation Army hall on Woodbridge Road. Special guests for the weekend are The Salvation Army Commissioners Gill and Anthony Cotterill, leaders of the Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland.

The celebration begins with a music festival featuring The Salvation Army church band on Saturday 20th November 2021 at 6pm.  On Sunday, the church will gather again at 10.30am for morning worship followed by another musical festival at 4pm with the Guildford Salvation Army Fellowship band.

In addition to church services every Sunday, The Salvation Army runs a lunch club for older people, which is followed by a fellowship club. There is also Bible studies, coffee mornings and a hub that provides emergency food for people in need. The hub also partners with local schools to provide food for families. Every Christmas the church and charity runs a campaign to make sure every child in the Guildford area, who would not otherwise receive a gift, gets one.

At the beginning of November 100 food parcels were given out to the local community by The Salvation Army. The church also run a toddler group called, 'Jellybeans' that takes place every Friday 10 - 11.30am (term-time only).

“The Salvation Army is dedicated to caring for local community,” Captain Wayne said, “but without your generosity we wouldn’t be here today. So, thank you, and we would love to see you at one or all of the events mentioned above.”

The Salvation Army was founded in London’s East End in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth. Today this Christian church and registered charity is active in 132 countries worldwide.

Since its early days social action has been central to The Salvation Army’s Christian faith. In 1885 Salvationists successfully campaigned for the age of consent to be raised from 13 to 16 and in 1890 the church and charity opened the UK’s first labour exchange.

In UK and Republic of Ireland The Salvation Army’s work includes more than 650 community churches and social centres offering compassionate support, a listening ear and practical help.

The Salvation Army in Guildford have launched their Christmas appeal, see more here: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/guildford.