The Salvation Army

google map of 21 Adam's Avenue

Newfoundland & Labrador Divisional Headquarters
21 Adam's Avenue
St. John's
NL A1C 4Z1
709-579-2022/23
Fax: 709-576-7034

Website: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/newfoundland/

Corps (Church Congregations):

St. John's Citadel
25 Adams Avenue
St. John's, NL
A1C 4Z1

Contact Information
Majors Wayne and Deborah Bungay
Office: (709)-579-5235
Fax: (709)-579-1036

St. John's Temple
101 Torbay Road
P.O. Box 21060
St. John's, NL
A1A 5B2

Contact Information
Majors David and Elaine Braye
Office: (709)-722-2467
Fax: (709)-737-0471

St. John's West
174 Mundy Pond Road
St. John's, NL
A1E 1V3

Contact Information
Major Melva Elliot (Interim)
Office: (709)-579-7261
Fax: (709)-579-7221

History

Origins of the group: In 1885, Emma Churchill, a native of Portugal Cove, traveled from Toronto back to her home in Newfoundland to spend her honeymoon. During her time in the province, she held a number of church services, introducing Salvation Army doctrine to residents of both Portugal Cove and St. John's, and continued to promote these teachings until the end of 1885. With the doctrine having gained such popularity, by 1894, 25 churches had been established within the province. 1894 also saw the founding of "The Anchorage," a rescue home for girls, a place truly promoting the Army's mission to social work. Since then, the Salvation Army has experienced rapid growth throughout the province as more churches have been founded over the course of the last century.

Achievements and present goals of the group: "Heart to God, Hand to Man," the motto of the Salvation Army adequately describes both the short and long term goals of the organization, and its achievements. Its mission is centered both on the desire to lead all people into a meaningful relationship with God, and to deliver relevant social services to members of the community. In order to achieve such goals, the organization recognizes the need to adapt its structures and methods to changing realities. For example, two regions (NL West and NL East Divisions) have been merged into one during the past year, the Salvation Army NL Division, with Headquarters in St. John's, thus enabling the organization to streamline operations, cut administrative costs without compromising programs, and to more effectively deploy personnel. Another example of adapting to changes in rural Newfoundland and Labrador is the creation of "circuit ministries," allowing their Pastors to minister in multiple communities and churches. Community outreach is crucial to the organization, and has been accomplished in a number of ways throughout the city of St. John's, including its role in the founding of the Wiseman Centre, a place which provides emergency housing to homeless men, the New Hope Community Center, a multi-service site in the downtown area, and its involvement with the "Religious Social Action Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Music ministry is synonymous with the Salvation Army. Two achievements that the St. John's Citadel is particularly proud of in regards to its music program are the success of its Easter musicals, which generally sell out for the three nights that they are performed, as well as the participation of their brass band in the 2009 Santa Claus Parade in Toronto.

While the organization has successfully met many of its goals, they do feel that an important issue they face is the struggle to provide programs relevant for all ages, particularly in light of the changes that have taken place in the areas of both worship music and technology. The Salvation Army also continues to explore opportunities with community partners to expand its social programs and ministries in the city of St. John's.

One of the former Generals of the Salvation Army summarized the Army's Mission in this way: "The mission of The Salvation Army is to save souls, grow saints, and to serve suffering humanity." It is to these ideals that The Army remains committed.

Life in St. John's/NL: Connected with the St. John's Council of Churches, the Salvation Army seeks to foster meaningful relationships with people from all beliefs and backgrounds. They recognize the religious diversity that exists within the city and feel that people have a general respect for one and other, in spite of religious differences.

Structure

Membership: The churches have members of all ages, and provide services in English (The St. John's Citadel does, however, provide a ministry for the hearing impaired), and welcomes all people to its various ministries and programs.

Leaders and Contacts: The Salvation Army, present in 120 countries, contains various levels of leadership both locally and internationally. In St. John's, each church is led by Corps (Church) officers, usually a husband and wife team, who are assisted by other leaders, such as Pastoral Care officers and Associate officers. For further information on leadership roles and contact information for each individual church, please see the Information and Contacts at the top of this page.

Facilities: Each location has a sanctuary in which worship services take place, as well as a variety of classrooms, meetings rooms and washrooms. The St. John's Citadel has a special Heritage room, which provides historical information about the Corps and also provides room rentals for events such as baby and wedding showers, music recitals, and the Kiwanis Music Festival.

Activities

Schedule of Events:

Morning services are held at all three locations at 11:00 AM

Evening services at St. John's Citadel and St. John's Temple take place at 6:00 PM and at 6:30 PM at St. John's West.

A variety of programs for children, youth, men and women are offered at all three locations, as well as bible studies, nursery care, and music programs. For more information on the various programs offered at each Corps, please see the Information and Contacts section at the top of this page.