The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a non-military evangelical Christian organisation. In 1865 one-time Methodist minister William Booth founded the Christian Mission in London's East End. In 1878 the mission was reorganized along military lines and named 'The Salvation Army' . It is sometimes mistakenly regarded as only a charity or social services organisation; however, it is also part of the mainstream Christian Church, and includes in its objectives:

"The advancement of the Christian religion as promulgated in the religious doctrines . . . which are professed, believed and taught by the Army and, pursuant thereto, the advancement of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole."

The international headquarters is at 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, with thousands of churches ("corps," "halls" or "citadels") around the world. It is sometimes affectionately referred to as the "Sally Ann" in Canada, "Sally Army" in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and the "Salvos" in Australia and the United States.