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About Us
The Salvation Army was "born" in the hearts of William and Catherine Booth in 1865 in London, England. William, a minister, found himself drawn to the idea of ministering to the neediest of London, both spiritually and physically. Meanwhile, Catherine was speaking all over London to find support for this new endeavor.
July 5 is The Salvation Army's birthday!
The founding of The Salvation Army dates back to a campaign by William Booth in the East of London, England, in July of 1865.
There, in a dilapidated tent pitched on a disused burial ground off a lane in Whitechapel, four or five hundred people attended meetings
led by William Booth. In his own words: "...and the result -- blessed be God! -- was a few desolate souls at the mercy seat." From that
humble beginning sprang the movement that became The Salvation Army. You can find out more about our history at
TSA History and at our international web site at TSA Heritage
By 1880, The Salvation Army had grown throughout Britain and spread to the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. In 1890, Captain Granbury, a single woman officer arrived to begin The Salvation Army in Madison, Wisconsin. Within days of arrival, The Salvation Army was holding street corner meetings to encourage the lost and needy to "turn to Jesus."
In 1936, The Salvation Army purchased its first building at 111 West Main Street. This served as a house of worship and place for the needy of the area to seek practical assistance. In 1944, the first day care center was opened in Madison by The Salvation Army. Then in 1976, The Salvation Army building burned to the ground.
Needing a facility, The Salvation Army purchased St. Patrick's School at 630 E. Washington Avenue. The facility housed all former programs and included shelter rooms for homeless families. In 1995, due to increased demands for services, a second facility including recreational and community meeting space was opened at 3030 Darbo Drive on Madisonšs east side. Summer 2001 marks the opening of the newest program and facility and eight bedroom transitional shelter for formerly homeless women, known as Holly House.
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