THE SALVATION ARMY MARKS 130 YEARS OF MINISTRY AND COMBATING POVERTY IN BALTIMORE MARYLAND
PAST, PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE: THE SALVATION ARMY MARKS 130 YEARS OF MINISTRY AND COMBATING POVERTY IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND-- WITH TEMPLE CORPS AND HAMPDEN CORPS CELEBRATIONS ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
The Salvation Army of Central Maryland marked 130 years in Baltimore with Hampden Corps and Temple Corps Anniversary Celebrations on September 18th 2022 at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater. Former Lt. Colonel of The Salvation Army Potomac Division, William Crabson served as our noteworthy speaker for our celebration of the Past, Present and Future. What’s interesting to note is that Lt. Colonel Crabson previously trained from Hampden Corps while his wife, Lt. Colonel LaVerne Crabson, went to train from Temple Corps. Both officers offered a wealth of knowledge to corps members and inspired soldiers to keep marching forward, much like previous salvationists have, to spread God’s message of kindness.
Several attendees enjoyed famous brass gospel hits from The Salvation Army’s famous marching band hailing from the Washington D.C area. Many of our corps members such as Captain Laura Tidman (Hampden Corps) and Captain Katie Bernabe played classics along with the band. Sabrina Washington, a blind salvationist from Temple corps, led in praise and in song by following along her braille notes. Her performance stunned and inspired the crowd that also included a cyclist, a former Jane Doe, families, and visitors who were inspired by The Salvation Army’s message.
The Salvation Army’s famous marching band performed gospel renditions and classics to a packed audience of salvationists from not only Temple Corps and Hampden Corps salvationists but also salvationists from Middle River, Havre De Grace, and from the Washington D.C area. The Salvation Army’s Temple Corps and Hampden Corps stemmed from humble beginnings over 130 years ago
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The Salvation Army first arrived in Baltimore on October 17, 1880 with Commissioner George Scott Railton’s open air forum calling on people to learn more about Christ at Cross Street Market (in Federal Hill, Baltimore). For the first 12 years, The Salvation Army had open air revivals to preach about the gospel and to help underserved communities with “Soup, Soap, and Salvation”. In 1892, Temple Corps (church) and Hampden Corps(church) was constructed to fully serve underserved areas in Baltimore City with a multitude of social services aimed at the poor.
As of today, The Salvation Army of Baltimore Temple Corps and of Hampden Corps continue to provide ministry and social services to all parts of Baltimore City with feeding programs, Christmas Assistance, Emergency Disaster Relief, Boys and Girls Club, and prayer. The Salvation Army is deeply interwoven in Baltimore City’s culture and history. Over 130 years ago, The Salvation Army opened its first corps (church) in Baltimore, Maryland. Temple Corps opened its doors September 1892, and Hampden Corps opened its doors March 1892. Whenever there is a Salvation Army planted in a local community, social service change takes place.
Here is a list of ways The Salvation Army Impacted Baltimore, Maryland in the last 130 years.
1.) The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904- All Salvation Army officers, volunteers, and patrons were on duty to feed and shelter survivors of the fire.
2.) World War 1 started in 1914.- The Salvation Army in Baltimore collected bandages and surgical pads as part of Evangeline Booth (Salvation Army founder’s daughter) Old Linen campaign for wounded soldiers. Also, Hampden Corps commanded “Hickey’s Hut,” the first Salvation Army hut overseas ran by salvation army soldiers, volunteers, and patrons who tended to sick soldiers, and assisted with war efforts. The Salvation Army in Baltimore also sent over “Doughnut Lassies” who made donuts for soldiers with their brass hats, tended to the sick in hospitals, and worked with Graves Identification Units.
3.) World War 2- The Salvation Army in Baltimore mobilized men and women to operate a mobile, feeding canteen that served military installations in and around Baltimore. Salvation Army officers also delivered “sunshine” bags full of toiletries to soldiers, and also visited veterans at hospitals too. The Salvation Army represented the USO (locally in Baltimore) until 1976.
4.) The 1930’s Depression- The Salvation Army converted a used a 165-foot show boat that lay idly in the Baltimore harbor into a “Cheer Center” which helped temporarily homeless, and the unemployed in Baltimore City. This boat helped 400 men a day with meals, lodging, prayers and with social service assistance.
5.) In the 1920s-The Salvation Army provided complimentary Summer picnics, camps, boat rides, and day trips to amusements parks for underprivileged children and for underserved Baltimore communities since 1920’s until the 1970s. As of today, children from Baltimore can spend a week at Camp Happyland. Under supervision, will learn to swim, hike, crafts, learn new sports, and get fresh air and good food.
6.) In the 1960s - The Salvation Army assisted with the Vietnam war by serving coffee, cold drinks, and military kits to women and men enlisting in the armed forces.
7.) In 1982- Because of the state of the economy, an unsolicited grant for emergency services was given to The Salvation Army by the United Fund. The Salvation Army directly assisted families to provide financial and job assistance. In connection with the Baltimore City Summer Job Program, a project of Mayor Schaefer, The Salvation Army was selected to received financial assistance to help provide jobs for young adults in the Summer of 1982.
8.) In 2021- The Cornbread Café, mobile canteen (Temple Corps ministry) provides meals and prayers to the street homeless of West Baltimore. Salvationists and volunteers visit the street homeless living in abandoned homes, in the outskirts of the city, to provide them meals and support. This ministry was influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic.
8.) In 2020- The Salvation Army faced the Covid-19 pandemic by handing out masks to people in need and by holding a wide-scale feeding at Lot C. Over 10,000 meals were delivered to low-income seniors who are homebound and unable to get groceries due to the pandemic.
9.) From 1892 to now- The Salvation army’s Hampden Corps and Temple Corps continues to provide Christmas assistance (gifts and clothing and food), Thanksgiving assistance. In Baltimore, The Salvation Army is famous around Christmas time for the bell ringing and for the Angel Tree holiday assistance program (which provides low income families with children gifts, clothing, and hygiene products.