March 24, 2013
105 West 12th Street
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada
"In 1887 the Salvation Army begins in Vancouver with four ladies known as the "Hallelujah Lassies." At Hallelujah Point in Stanley Park a (1982) commemorative plaque reads:
1887-1967
Hallelujah Point
"Commemorating the pioneer of the work of the Salvation Army
in Vancouver it was on this clearing the Salvation Army erected a rugged shelter, and picnic table, and then held services of song in the silent atmosphere of the early Burrard Inlet. The sound of the Hallelujah Lassies singing "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah," could be clearly heard across the waters to downtown early Vancouver Water and Cordova Streets-and the clearing was thus named Hallelujah Point."
"Sign Installation marks the new home
of the North Vancouver branch of
The Salvation Army at 12th Street
and Lonsdale Avenue." (REF.)
..."The new home of the North Vancouver branch of the Salvation Army at 105 West 12th Street and Lonsdale Avenue was opened in 1967. The $100,000 building was designed by Mercer and Mercer of Vancouver, and built by Mainland Construction...Burnaby.
Wrought iron support for entrance awning
"Masonry for the building was supplied by Alton and Nerheim Masonry Limited,...Vancouver and wood supplies provided by Woodlam Products of...North Vancouver.
"...The building was constructed to house church and offices on the main floor and an activity room and kitchen on the lower floor. The modern two storey brick structure was built as a project to mark the Centennial of the Salvation Army which was in 1965.
"..a 30-voice Salvation Army Choir and Sunday afternoon and... morning and
evening sermons (were part of the official opening.)
"Seating for 120 persons is provided in the main chapel...(REF.)
1976 Building Plan for Salvation Army store at 241 Lonsdale Avenue
(North Vancouver Archives collection)
In 1976 the Salvation Army built a thrift store at 241 Lonsdale Avenue. Donated items are sold to the public. As of 2012 the store also became the collection center for used electronics: computer equipment, television sets, etc.
Letterhead 2010
+++
"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 and around the world.
"The first open-air ‘meetings’, or worship services, were held in Toronto in January, 1882, and in London, Ontario, five months later. ...
"From the beginning, the Army in Canada adopted founder William Booth’s philosophy that there is little point preaching ‘salvation’ to hungry people. And so the concept of ‘soup and salvation’ took hold, later to be developed into the comprehensive social service programs The Salvation Army operates today, many of them in partnership with government.
"William Booth was a dissident Methodist minister, who took his Wesleyan sensibilities and Christ’s command to ‘feed my sheep’ to their logical conclusion. Starting as The Christian Mission in the East End of London, England, in 1865, it was re-named The Salvation Army in 1878, to reflect the increasingly military structure the movement had adopted.
"When the Army came to Canada, there was much opposition to its methods from civic politicians and other entrenched interests in the early days, and Salvationists were often beaten and jailed for their activities in the streets of Canada’s cities and towns. Despite this, there was eventual acceptance of the movement as it demonstrated the social benefits that accrued from its activities. The men’s social work began in 1890 with a Prison Gate Home in Toronto. The same year a Children’s Shelter was opened. The first Maternity home was opened in Saint John, N.B. in 1898, precursor to the Salvation Army Grace Hospitals. In 1901 The Salvation Army recommended to the federal government that a prisoner probation system be adopted, leading to Canada’s first parole program. In 1908 salvage work (now called recycling) began in Toronto, leading to the well-known Thrift Stores. In 1911 the first Juvenile Detention Centre was established in Manitoba and turned over to the Army to operate. That same year a farm colony was established in Coombs, B.C.
"The Salvation Army’s status in Canada was entrenched in law in 1909 when parliament passed an Act giving the organization legal standing, its governance to be conducted by The Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada, a situation which continues to this day...
"In 1914 the Army shared in the national tragedy of the sinking of The Empress of Ireland in the St. Lawrence. On board were more than 120 Salvationists, bound for an international congress in London. Most of them, including the national commander and members of the Canadian Staff Band, were drowned. The Staff Band was not re-formed until 1969.
"Canada’s involvement in the Great War of 1914-1918 saw the appointment of the first Salvation Officer as a chaplain in the Canadian armed forces, and the donation of five motor ambulances to forces serving overseas. At the end of the war, military hostels were opened in Winnipeg, London, Kingston, Toronto, and other cities, for returning soldiers.
"All of this demonstrates the unique ability of The Salvation Army to respond to urgent needs – the Halifax explosion and Winnipeg flood being examples...
"Innovation in social services continued even as the organization matured: the first seniors’ residence, or Eventide Home, was opened in Edmonton in 1926, and Grace Hospitals were opened in major cities across the country, as were homes for unmarried mothers.
"The onset of World War II found the Army accompanying Canada’s armed forces overseas not only as chaplains but as the operators of Maple Leaf Clubs, providing rest and relaxation for the troops. By the end of the war there were clubs in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and India...
"Salvationists now formally worship in 11 languages and provide services in many others. In the post-war years further social service innovations included an anti-suicide bureau and victim witness assistance programs, the latter eventually being absorbed by the criminal justice system...
"The Salvation Army is now the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country...
"Today in Canada The Salvation Army has 877 active officers (clergy), more than 18,000 soldiers (church members) and close to 44,000 adherents; that is, people who claim the Army as their church home, but who are not formal members. There are 311 corps (churches) and more than 330 social-service institutions of various kinds. As well as the many thousands of volunteers, more than 10,000 people are employed by The Salvation Army in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Fifty-five Canadian officers and lay staff also serve overseas in countries from Papua New Guinea to South Africa." (Link .)
Photos: Top photo taken in the year 2000 as part of the project Your House/
Our Home by SW on file at the North Vancouver Archives.
Reference: 'The opening of the SALVATION ARMY CHAPEL, North Vancouver.
Saturday February 11, 1967 by Roy J V Pallant, North Vancouver
Historical Society publication
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