Timaru Corps Celebrates 140 Years

More than 100 people attended a Sunday meeting at Timaru Corps (church) during celebrations (23–25 June) to mark 140 years of The Salvation Army in the South Island town.

The anniversary theme was ‘Forward Focus’, honouring the foundation work over the past and looking forward to the next 140 years, says Timaru Corps Envoy Lynda Bright.

Anniversary events kicked off on the Friday evening with registration and ‘Café Catchup’, an opportunity to talk with other anniversary participants over a hot drink and look at historical photos. Participants received welcome packs with goodies, such as a Salvation Army anniversary flag, lanyard and postcard with historical information.

Saturday’s activities included a self-drive adventure in Timaru and surrounds, with a map featuring sites of interest, a celebration service and family dinner. A Sunday meeting ended with morning tea and cake cutting.

Majors Glenda and Ivan Bezzant from Hutt City Corps were guest speakers, while music was well covered with the Timaru music team joined by both the Ashburton band and Ashburton music team.

‘It was great to see the glory of God throughout the weekend and what he’s going to continue to do in the Timaru community going forward,’ says Lynda, who thanked the team of corps members who gave generously of their time to organise celebrations.

Timaru was the first Salvation Army corps opened outside the four main cities. According to historian Cyril Bradwell in his Fight the Good Fight, the first Salvation Army meeting was held at the Central Auction Rooms in Timaru on 24 June 1883 under the leadership of Captain George Pollard.

This came just days after the first issue of The Salvation Army’s War Cry magazine (now called SALT) which was produced on 16 June 1883.