The Salvation Army still helping Wrexham 143 years on

The Salvation Army in Wrexham say their work today is as important to the local community as it was when they held their first ever meeting in the city in 1881. 

The 23rd of October saw the anniversary of that first ever meeting in the city in the Public Hall on Hemblas Street. Within two months, it was reported that 300 people were regularly attending worship and meetings there. 

The Salvation Army’s Community Program Manager in Wrexham, Brian Manford, says they are working as hard as ever to support local people:  

“During the course of a week, we see many people come through our doors for a number of reasons. People looking for work, wanting company or asking for help to get their life back on track. Recently, we have been successfully working closely with someone who just came out of prison. We spent months trying to find him accommodation, but with no success. It got to the point where he wanted to end his life. But we made sure we were there for him. We supported him and helped him with clothing and food. Now he has finally found a home, which he is happy in. It's just as William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army said: ‘I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end’. And we have been fighting for him from June until now.” 

 
The Salvation Army is currently based at a building in Garden Road as a worshipping and caring community offering, among other services, a Luncheon Club, Knit & Natter for craft and conversation and Employment Plus for support related to getting a job. For 90 years until 1975, The Salvation Army headquarters was previously at the historic livestock trading area, The Beast Market, in the city centre, which is now the site of a supermarket.  

Colin Fisher started with The Salvation Army band at The Beast Market in 1955 when he was just eight years old. In 1974, he became Wrexham’s Songster Leader taking over the role from his father, who had been doing it for almost 40 years: 

“I was brought to Salvation Army as a baby. My family were salvationists. We had come to worship God in the Salvation Army, which takes many forms. My parents and grandparents were members of the band and choir, and they also helped with community work. At our many concerts down the years, we have raised money for children's hospitals, for overseas work and many charities and other great causes. I have good memories of the people who have come here to share our concerts and the places we have travelled for a performance.” 

By 1884, The Soldiers at Wrexham had been nicknamed ‘The Praying Boys’ by the public, because of their enthusiastic prayers. An enthusiasm that is as strong today as it was back then. 

For more information about the work of Wrexham Salvation Army, www.salvationarmy.org.uk/wrexham