Salvation Army Celebrates 140th Anniversary With Top Brass

Published on: 18 Nov, 2021
Updated on: 18 Nov, 2021

Guildford Salvation Army is celebrating 140 years of transforming lives in its community.

With its church and hall in Woodbridge Road, it is marking the milestone this weekend, with national representatives of the Christian church joining in.

Guildford Salvation Army’s centre in Woodbridge Road.

The celebration begins with a music festival featuring The Salvation Army church band on Saturday, November 20, 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.

Special guests for the weekend are The Salvation Army Commissioners, Gill and Anthony Cotterill, who are the leaders of the Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland.

Captain Wayne Adcock and Major Julia Adcock of Guildford Salvation Army.

Church leaders in Guildford, Major Julia Adcock and Captain Wayne Adcock, said: “This event will be a wonderful opportunity for our church to thank God for the last 140 years of service we have given to this community, but also gives us a chance to say thank you to the local community, which continues to be so supportive of our work.”

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.

The emergency food hub at Guildford Salvation Army’s centre in Woodbridge Road.

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.

Click here for details of its Christmas appeal.

The church also runs a toddler group called Jellybeans that takes place every Friday from 10am to 11.30am (term-time only).

Captain Wayne Adcock added: “The Salvation Army is dedicated to caring for local community, 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.