London, 1865

The organization that would become known as The Salvation Army began in July of 1865 in London, England.  William Booth, a Methodist minister, began to reach out to the poor, the hungry and the homeless in the streets of London.  Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers and drunks were among his first converts to Christianity. 

His intent had been to lead them to Christ and link them to existing churches for their continued spiritual development.  However, churches were not quick to accept Booth's new disciples because of what they had been.  So Booth continued to provide them with both spiritual and practical direction, putting them to work saving others like themselves.  

In 1867, Booth had 10 full-time workers, but by 1874 that number had grown to 1000 volunteers and 42 full-time evangelists.  They served under the name "The Christian Mission" and Booth assumed the title of General Superintendent, but his followers referred to him simply as "General".  Known as "The Hallelujah Army", the group spread out of the east end of London into neighboring areas and to other cities.  

In 1878, Booth was reading a printer's proof of the organization's annual report when he noticed the statement, "the Christian Mission under the (sic) Superintendent's of the Rev. William Booth is a volunteer army."  Booth crossed out the words "volunteer army" and penned in "Salvation Army."  

The Army gained a foothold in the U.S. through the work of Lt. Eliza Shirley who had left England to join her parents.  She held the first meeting of The Salvation Army in America in Philadelphia in 1879.  

In 1886, President Grover Cleveland received a delegation of Salvation Army officers and gave the organization his personal endorsement.  The Salvation Army expanded rapidly to Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland, Germany and many other countries.  

Currently there are more than 10,000 local units in the United States and The Salvation Army is active in 111 countries - virtually every corner of the world.  

Knoxville, 1899

That's right.  The Salvation Army begin it's work in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1899.  The Knoxville Area Command now serves Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Knox and Sevier Counties, providing services to over 20,000 people every year.  

The Thompson Center of Hope, our present location at 409 N. Broadway, was dedicated in January of 1994 and now serves as home to our five shelters and social service center, our administrative offices and the Corps (church) ministry center.