www.salvationarmy.org

Basic History
The Salvation Army is an international religious and charitable organization, administered and operated on a paramilitary pattern. It is a branch of the Christian church and was founded in 1865 in London by William Booth. Booth was a Methodist minister who had resigned his post to evangelize to crowds of people in the streets. Evening meetings were held in an old warehouse in London's tough East End where urchins threw stones and fireworks through the window. Outposts were eventually established and in time attracted converts. Yet the impetus of the organization became more energized when it changed its name to The Salvation Army in 1878. The idea of an Army fighting sin caught the imagination of the people and the Army began to grow rapidly. Booth's fiery sermons and sharp imagery drove the message home and more and more people found themselves willing to leave their past behind and start a new life as a soldier in The Salvation Army.

As the military spirit of the movement caught on, the Salvation Army soon spread abroad. It was introduced into America in 1880. By the time Booth died in 1912, the Army was at work in 58 countries.

Basic Beliefs (services)
Internationally The Salvation Army works in 107 countries using more than 140 languages. To carry out its endeavors, the Salvation Army has established a widely diversified program of religious and social welfare services designed to meet the needs of children, youth and adults in all age groups.

There are over 14,000 Corps (centers for worship) in the world as well as a wide range of social, medical, educational and other community programs including accommodations for the homeless, occupational centers that contribute towards rehabilitation, more than 2000 food distribution centers, 780 residential centers for the elderly, 352 hospitals and clinics, over 200 children's homes, more than 1,400 primary and secondary schools, 20 domestic science and trade schools, 130 refugee centers for those who are entirely destitute, 2 leprosaria and 30 convalescent homes. In 2000, The Salvation Army helped more than 33 million Americans, operating out of more than 9,000 centers of operation in the USA.

Leadership
National Commander - Commissioner John Busby
National Chief Secretary - Colonel Tom Lewis

Basic Facts
In 2000, the organization reported having 1,355 churches in the US with 472,871 members, served by 3,697 clergy members. The international headquarters is based in London, England.

Location
Salvation Army
615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, Virginia 22313
Phone (703) 684-5500
Fax (703) 684-5538