History


The History of the Salvation Army - Worldwide, in Canada, and in the Northwest Territories.

Worldwide

The Salvation Army began its work in London, England, in 1865 when William Booth, a minister, abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit and took his message of hope to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.

While ministering among the poor and the needy, it became obvious that more than words were necessary to change people's lives. Beds were needed for those sleeping in the streets. Food was necessary to quiet the growl of hungry stomachs. The physical needs of people would have to be addressed if people were to be truly helped.

By 1867, The Salvation Army had grown into a ministry offering schooling, reading rooms, penny banks, soup kitchens, and relief aid to the poor.

Click here for more information.

Canada

The Salvation Army began its work in Canada in 1882, just fifteen years after Confederation, and quickly began giving hope to those in need in this country.

The first open-air ‘meetings’, or worship services, were held in Toronto in January 1882, and in London, Ontario, five months later. These were led by British immigrants who had known the Army in their homeland.

Official Salvation Army operations began in July of that year when Major Thomas Moore arrived from the U.S. headquarters to take charge. By then there were 11 ‘corps’ or church congregations in Ontario, and a year later Canada was declared an independent ‘territory’, responsible for its own governance within the worldwide organization.

Click here for more information.

Northwest Territories

Since 1981, the Salvation Army "opened fire" in the Northwest Territories under the direction of Captain and Mrs. Lewis Babe. For the first six years, church services were held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church until newer facilities were opened at the corner of 45th and Franklin.

In our current facilities, we are able to house several services to assist in serving the people of Yellowknife and the Northwest Territores. Offering ministerial, mental health, addiction, withdrawal, food bank, and other key services.

On the opening weekend of the current buildings, the hopeful prayer was: Lord, we have heard of your fame: we stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known." Habakkuk 3:2

Click here for more information.

Current Opportunities

Volunteer or Employment Opportunities can be found here.

  • Opportunities available:

    Interested in volunteering?
    E-mail: NWT.Volunteers@salvationarmy.ca

    Interested in employment?
    Website: https://salvationarmy.ca/about-us/careers/

YouTube Channel

Click Play for More Videos on the Salvation Army Canada's YouTube Channel

Emergency Assistance


We offer food bank and sheltering assistance for those in immediate and ongoing need.
Question? Comment? Prayer request? Send us a message!

Contact Us