As a faith-based charity organization, the Salvation Army has a widespread presence in Canada. Founded in 1865 in London, England, it has created an “army” of members and volunteers conducting charity work and community outreach throughout the territories of the former British dominion. The organization now has branches in 130 countries, with 268 community churches, 110 social service institutions and 207 community and family service units across Canada alone.
The first open-air meetings in Canada were held in Toronto and London, Ont., in 1882, and the Army reached Welland in April 1886. While initially boasting “as many as 80 members being in the march at a time,” according to 1887’s “History of Welland County,” the public’s interest in its proceedings lessened not long after.
By 1889, the Army was occupying a former White Bros. livery stable and carriage-making shop at the corner of Frazer and Bald streets as its “barracks” headquarters, with the ground floor used for meetings and the upper floor serving as housing for officers-in-charge and their wives. However, a major fire in January 1889 destroyed most of the structure, except a portion of the frame.
Shortly following the blaze, the Army moved to the rear of the temple building at 13-15 East Main St., on the south side. By 1912, the Welland branch of the Army desired a better headquarters, and by 1917 a new structure, termed a “citadel,” was built on the northwest side of the intersection of Cros.