William Booth (10th October 1829 - 20th August 1912) |
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In 1865, William and Catherine Booth opened the "Whitechapel Mission". It was at first just a tent, but it was right in the heart of a very poor area - one of the places Booth saw as most in need of hearing the message about Jesus Christ. The Booths' first concern was to tell people about Jesus. They believed that people's great need was for a change of heart and life, and that this was more important than helping poor people to be better off. |
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Booth started preaching in a tent set up on wasteland in the East End of London. |
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The emphasis of the Army did change. It always believed that people most needed to be forgiven by God and to believe in Jesus, but Booth also came to see the need to change the social conditions of the poor in England. He wrote 'In Darkest England and the Way Out', with the help of a minister concerned with social problems. It's theme was that the poorest in England were living in a kind of slavery. |
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William Booth's funeral in 1912 |
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| The Salvation Army came to stand for both Christian preaching and social action. At times each side of its work brought it opposition, but like an Army it has carried on the fight. | |
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Go to the Salvation Army Heritage Centre site, William Booth |
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Go to 'Churches - Salvation Army' |