In 1837, an explorer found excellent grazing land in an area now known
as Koonung Creek. Further south were gentle hills extending to a runnel
known as Gardiner’s Creek.
It was in this vicinity that the City of Box Hill grew.
It was January 11, 1891 when The Salvation Army came to Box Hill with
their banners, flags and drum, to proclaim the Gospel to the people
as they marched along White Horse road on a hot summer’s morning,
to their rented premises at 1020 White Horse road.
So it was then – and today the Army is still in town as a prominent
community church serving the needs of the people of Box Hill; spiritually
and practically. Our location, of course, has changed from Whitehorse
Road in 1891 to our present location at 17-23 Nelson Road.
In 2004, a book was published containing some of the above excerpts
titled "Where A City Grew" and can be obtained for $25 from
the corps office in Nelson Road.
A brief history on The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was founded more than 100 years ago and grew from
the commitment of a minister who dedicated his life to helping the poor.
William Booth, founder and first General of the Salvation Army, initiated
the work that soon spread around the world. more...
A brief history on The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was founded more than 100 years ago and grew from
the commitment of a minister who dedicated his life to helping the poor.
William Booth, founder and first General of the Salvation Army, initiated
the work that soon spread around the world.
He had grown to love the poor while working in a pawnbroker's shop,
watching people leave their best clothes on Monday in exchange for a
few shillings, hoping to buy them back by the next Sunday.
Booth then became a Methodist minister and began preaching in the open
air. The Salvation Army was born on 2 July 1865, when he led a meeting
in a tent on a disused cemetery in East London.
Two years later, Booth began ministering to the poor in East End, London.
He offered evening classes, basic schooling, reading rooms, soup kitchens
and relief for the destitute, the sick and the poor through distribution
of bread, meat, and small amounts of money.
His wife Catherine was undertaking similar work. She is known as the
Mother of the Salvation Army.
Their work soon expanded beyond London. By the end of 1877, it had
grown in spirit and discipline into an army. During 1878 the name the
Salvation Army was conceived with William Booth designated as the first
general.
In 1880 in Adelaide, South Australia, John Gore and Edward Saunders
decided to establish the Salvation Army in Australia. The first meeting
held in Australia was conducted from the tailboard of a green grocer's
cart in the shade of a gum tree on 5 September 1880. Within two years
the Amry spread throughout Australia.
By 1883 the first Salvation Army Social Services Institution in the
world was established in Australia: Major James Barker rented a small
two roomed house with a lean-to in Lygon Street, Carlton Victoria to
house released prisoners. The Lygon Street Home in Melbourne soon proved
too small and on 8 December 1883 larger premises were rented in Argyle
Place South, Carlton. This date marks the beginning of the Salvation
Army institutional social work.
And throughout this history, this social action has carried on side
by side with the church of the Salvation Army, holding true to the calling
William Booth had, to reach the poor and destitute, providing for their
needs with love, just as his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did some
2000 years ago.
Sunday Worship: