The Salvation Army in Canada (nicknamed "Sally Ann"; ) is the administrative division of

The Salvation Army The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestantism, Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. It is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. The organisation reports a worldwide m ...

, a

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

church, serving

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

and

Bermuda Bermuda is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. The closest land outside the territory is in the American state of North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. Bermuda is an ...

. The Salvation Army was formed in 1865 in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, England, and it began working in

in 1882. Today, it operates in 400 communities across Canada and Bermuda. The Salvation Army Archives are in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, and the Salvation Army's Training College (formerly in Toronto) is in

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

Governance

The Salvation Army in Canada is divided geographically into divisions –

Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...

, Bermuda,

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

Maritime Maritime may refer to: Geography * Maritime Alps, a mountain range in the southwestern part of the Alps * Maritime Region, a region in Togo * Maritime Southeast Asia * The Maritimes, the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Princ ...

Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the populatio ...

, Ontario Central East, Ontario Great Lakes,

Prairie Prairies are ecosystems considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and a composition of grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the ...

, and

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

. Each division is headed by a divisional commander, who is responsible to the Territorial Commander. In turn, the Territorial Commander is responsible to International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, England. The Territorial Commander (TC) and Chief Secretary are appointed by the General. Their role is to oversee and administer the work of The Salvation Army within their territory. They are assisted by various other Secretaries (departmental heads) who are, in turn, responsible for overseeing their various branches of Army activity. The Territorial Commander is responsible for the territory's overall operation and mission, and the Chief Secretary is responsible for the territory's administration and daily operations. Senior executive officers are, on the recommendation of the Territorial Commander, also appointed by the General. All other officer appointments within a territory are the responsibility of the Territorial Commander and the Cabinet. The Salvation Army in Canada is a non-governmental direct provider of social services in the areas of homelessness, poverty and addiction, and a continuing support for programs in developing countries. In addition to mobile programs such as disaster relief, and homeless soup lines, the Salvation Army in Canada currently operates permanent facilities including corps community centers (churches), Social Services Centers, summer camps, Adult Rehabilitation Centers, and thrift stores.

History

GeorgeScottRailtonPlaqueHalifaxNovaScotia

En route to England, George Scott Railton stopped at the port of

Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is the capital and most populous municipality of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the most populous municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of 2024, it is estimated that the population of the H ...

, and held the first Salvation Army meeting in Canada on March 24, 1881. He was so engaged in his sermon that he missed his boat to England. He preached in Halifax for the following week at various Halifax churches, and a year later, the Salvation Army was officially established in Canada. The Salvation Army began operating in Canada in 1882. Brigadier Gideon Miller (1866-1949), Staff Architect for the Salvation Army in Canada from April 1906 until 1931, designed meeting halls (often called 'citadels'), hospitals and hostels in cities and towns across Canada.Brigadier Gideon Miller
/ref> In 1886, only four years after it had come to Canada from England, the Salvation Army built its Territorial Headquarters for Canada and Bermuda. It also housed the Toronto Temple, built in 1886 and demolished in 1954. Arnold Brown (December 13, 1913 – June 26, 2002), the 11th

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

of The Salvation Army (1977–1981), served as Territorial Commander in 1974. Brown compiled a history of the first 50 years of Salvation Army ministry in Canada, entitled ''What Hath God Wrought?''.

Canadian Staff Band

Beginning in the 1880s, Salvation Army brass bands began to be established in Canada, copying similar trends in the United Kingdom at the time. In 1888, Territorial Commander Thomas Coombs issued an advertisement for Salvation Army bandsmen to form a "Household Troops" band, which would eventually become the first Canadian Staff Band. In May of 1914, the Canadian Staff Band departed Toronto for an International Congress of The Salvation Army in London, England. The band was travelling on the

RMS Empress of Ireland RMS ''Empress of Ireland'' was a British-built ocean liner that Sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland, sank near the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River in Canada following a collision in thick fog with the Norwegian Collier (ship), collier in ...

when it sank in the Saint Lawrence River shortly after its departure from Quebec City. While a group of survivors briefly attempted to reform the band in 1917, the band eventually ceased to exist. In 1969, the Canadian Staff Band was revived under the leadership of bandmaster Major Norman Bearcroft. The band participates in most major territorial events, has recorded many albums, and frequently visits local Salvation Army churches across Canada and Bermuda, and abroad.

Canadian members

Evangeline Booth Evangeline Cory Booth, OF (December 25, 1865 – July 17, 1950) was a British evangelist and the fourth General of The Salvation Army from 1934 to 1939. She was the first woman to hold the post. Early life She was born in South Hackney, Lon ...

served as the Territorial Commander of Canada from 1901 to 1904 *

Clarence Wiseman Clarence Dexter Wiseman, (June 19, 1907 – May 4, 1985) was the tenth General of The Salvation Army from 1974 to 1977. Life and career Wiseman was born at Moreton's Harbour, Colony of Newfoundland on June 19, 1907. Being the son of Salvation A ...

(June 19, 1907 – May 4, 1985) was the 10th General of The Salvation Army from 1974 to 1977 * Arnold Brown (December 13, 1913 – June 26, 2002) was the 11th General of The Salvation Army from 1977 to 1981

Salvation Army buildings

Alberta

* Salvation Army Citadel in

Calgary, Alberta Calgary () is a major city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a Metropolitan area, metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the List of ...

, 1st Street East near 7th Avenue, c. 1920

British Columbia

* Salvation Army in Kelowna * Cascade Community Church in Abbotsford * The Center of Hope in Abbotsford * Chilliwack Community Church in Chilliwack * Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre in Victoria * Sunset Lodge in Victoria * High Point Community Church in Victoria * Connections Point Church and Resource Centre in Langford * Belkin House in Vancouver * Harbour Light in Vancouver * Grace Mansion in Vancouver * New Westminster Citadel in New Westminster

Maritime

* Maternity Hospital for the Salvation Army,

, 1919

Newfoundland and Labrador

*The Wiseman Centre, 714 Water St, St. John's, NL *Ches Penney Centre of Hope, 18 Springdale St, St. John's, NL

Ontario Central East

* The Salvation Army Church in Oshawa 570 Thornton Road N Oshawa Ontario. * Salvation Army Citadels in

Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

: Slater Street near Bank Street, 1904 * Maternity Hospital for the Salvation Army, in Ottawa, Ontario 1920 * Salvation Army Citadel,

Kingston, Ontario Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the northeastern end of Lake Ontario. It is at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River, the south end of the Rideau Canal. Kingston is near the Thousand Islands, ...

, Princess Street, c. 1920 * Salvation Army Citadels in

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

: Davenport Road, 1907 Dovercourt Road, 1910; Lisgar Street, 1911; Parliament Street at Coatsworth Street, 1912; Dufferin Street near St. Clair Avenue West, 1921 * Salvation Army Men's Hostel, Victoria Street at Dundas Street East, Toronto, Ontario 1909 * lodging house for the Salvation Army, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario 1913 * Booth Memorial Training College & Home, Davisville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario 1915

Ontario Great Lakes

* Salvation Army Citadel in

Stratford, Ontario Stratford is a city on the Avon River (Ontario), Avon River within Perth County, Ontario, Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada, with a 2021 Canadian census, 2021 population of 33,232 in a land area of . Stratford is the County seat, s ...

, 1912 * Salvation Army Citadel in

London, Ontario London is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River (Ontario), Thames River and N ...

1916-17 * Bethesda Maternity Hospital, Riverview Avenue, London, Ontario c. 1920 * Salvation Army Citadel,

St. Catharines, Ontario St. Catharines is the most populous city in Canada's Niagara Region, the eighth largest urban area in the province of Ontario. As of 2021, St. Catharines has an area of and 136,803 residents. It lies in Southern Ontario, south of Toronto ac ...

, Geneva Street, c. 1920 * Grace Hospital for the Salvation Army, London Avenue West at Crawford Avenue,

Windsor, Ontario Windsor ( ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is situated on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from the U.S city of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan. Geographically located within but administratively independent of Esse ...

c. 1920 * Salvation Army Citadel,

Welland, Ontario Welland is a city in the Regional Municipality of Niagara in Southern Ontario, Canada. As of 2021, it had a population of 55,750. The city is in the centre of Niagara and located within a half-hour driving distance to Niagara Falls, Ontario, N ...

, Cross Street at Division Street, c. 1920 * Salvation Army Citadel,

Sudbury, Ontario Sudbury, officially the City of Greater Sudbury, is the largest city in Northern Ontario by population, with a population of 166,004 at the 2021 Canadian Census. By land area, it is the largest in Ontario and the List of the largest cities and t ...

, Larch Street, c. 1920 * Salvation Army Citadel,

Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Sault Ste. Marie ( ) is a city in northern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of the St. Marys River (Michigan–Ontario), St. Mary's River directly across from its "twin city," Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie, in the state of Mich ...

, Spring Street at Queen Street East, c. 1920 * Salvation Army Citadel, Woodstock, Ontario

Prairie

* Salvation Army Citadel Corps,

Brandon, Manitoba Brandon () is the second-largest city in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is located in the southwestern corner of the province on the banks of the Assiniboine River, approximately west of the provincial capital, Winnipeg, and east of the ...

, 1887 * Salvation Army Grace Hospital,

Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

1909 * Salvation Army Sunset Lodge, Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1911 * Salvation Army Citadel, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1912 * Salvation Army Temple,

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Saskatoon () is the largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It straddles a bend in the South Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province. It is located along the Trans-Canada Hig ...

, 20th Street, 1912. Main Street, Current. * Salvation Army Citadel, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, High Street East, c. 1920

Quebec

* Salvation Army Citadels in

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

: St. Alexander Street, 1908; De Montigny Street, 1908; Bourgeois Street, 1908; Adam Street, 1928 * Booth Memorial Hospital, Outremont Avenue, Montreal, Quebec 1913 * Salvation Army Citadel,

Quebec, Quebec Quebec City is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the Census Metropolitan Area (including surrounding communities) had a populati ...

, 1908

References

* Brown, Arnold ''What Hath God Wrought?: a history of the first 50 years of Salvation Army ministry in Canada''. Toronto, Ontario, 1997 * Eason, Andrew M. Women in God's Army: Gender and Equality in the Early Salvation Army. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2003. * Moyles, R. G. ''Blood And Fire in Canada: A History of the Salvation Army in the Dominion 1882-1976'' (Ottawa, Ontario) Call Number Peake 361.M.11.0

External links

The Salvation Army in Canada

The Salvation Army: A Presentation by the Canadian War Museum

Statistical Profile of Salvation Army in the USA and Canada at the Association of Religion Data Archives
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salvation Army, Canada

Holiness organizations established in the 20th century Charities based in Canada Social welfare charities Christian organizations based in Canada Protestantism in Bermuda Christian organizations established in 1882 The Salvation Army Evangelical denominations in North America