Salvation Army Evolution: 6 Key Events in History of Christian Organization

The idea behind the Salvation Army was to combine evangelical work with social relief programs for the poor. William Booth and his wife Catherine led the first Salvation Army Christians in London after establishing the organization in 1865.

Here are six key events that grew the Salvation Army and its programs throughout the world:

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1. Along with saving the poor and destitute by helping them to live holy and decent lives, Catherine Booth set up the "Food for the Million" program in 1870. Five outlets were administered by the Booths' Christian Mission in London to provide hot soup during the day and night as well as dinners for a cheap price. The mission's funding ran out for the program four years later, but it would later lead to the development of soup kitchens from the Salvation Army.

2. The Christian Mission changed its name to the Salvation Army in 1878. Booth's son Bramwell said he felt more like a "regular" soldier than a volunteer, so Booth crossed out the words "Volunteer Army" and substituted them with "Salvation Army" in the Christian Mission's annual report. The name was made official that year as the organization adopted army rankings and paraded around streets with its banners, cornets and tambourines to attract new followers.

3. Salvation Army Lieutenant Eliza Shirley moved to America to be with her parents and set up the first mission meeting in Philadelphia in 1879. Salvation Army missions opened up officially in the U.S. in 1880. Salvation Army Christians were working in missions in Australia, Canada, and the West Indies by 1901. The organization expanded to South America, Europe, India and South Africa.

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4. The first kettle fundraising drive, which would become a major program for the Salvation Army during the holiday season, began in San Francisco in 1891. The program expanded nationwide by 1897, reports TIME

5. Christmas meals for needy individuals and families also began at the turn of the century, according to TIME. Kettle fundraising drives funded the first mass Christmas dinners at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1901.

6. The Salvation Army eventually became the second largest charity in the U.S., after the United Way. Salvation Army Christians administer to nearly 30 million people a year in more than 100 countries. Officers devote their personal and professional lives to the organization, adhering to strict Christian principles such as avoiding alcohol and tobacco.

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