Salvation Army To Mark 140 Years in Invers

This weekend was a big one for the Salvation Army as it celebrates 140 years of service in Invercargill.

The Salvation Army in Invers is currently lead by Majors Murray and Wendy Sanson.

The Army “opened fire” or started its work in Invercargill on Sunday September 9th 1883. Invercargill being the 9th corp to be set up in New Zealand. A prayer meeting and three other meetings were held over that weekend in what was the Royal Theatre on the Tay St, Conon St corner, now part of the Pak n Save carpark.

The theatre was renamed the Salvation Theatre for the day.

Wendy Sanson told whatsoninvers that 600 people attended an outdoor meeting in October 1883 and over 700 attending an outdoor prayer meeting in September 1883. She said those were huge numbers then as the population was not what it is now and travel was definitely not as easy.

Major Sanson also said that Salvation Army founder William Booth visited Invercargill 4 times on trips from the UK  and preached here on two occasions.

She said that the Army is probably one of the oldest religious denominations  serving in the city.

Major Sanson says with approximately 15 paid staff and multiple, multiple volunteers covering all manner of activities in the community, the Salvation Army is in good heart here.

She says the theme of this weekend’s celebrations, Going Forward With God has served the Army for 14 decades in Invercargill and will serve them for many more decades to come.

Upwards of 150 people are expected to travel south for the celebrations including a contingent from the Salvation Army National Youth Brass band and special guests Majors John and Kay Richards (retired) who started officer training here in Invercargill many years ago.

Activities for this weekend include an open air ministry on Esk Street from 3pm Saturday afternoon.