Our History
     The Salvation Army began in 1865 when William Booth, a London Methodist minister, gave up the comfort of his pulpit and decided to take his message into the streets where it would reach the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.
     His original aim was to send converts to established churches of the day, but soon realized that the poor did not feel comfortable or welcome in the pews of most of the churches and chapels of Victorian England. Regular churchgoers were appalled when these shabbily dressed, unwashed people came to join them in worship. 
     Booth joined the East London Christian Mission that catered for the people from the slums of East London. It met in tents, theatres, dance halls and the outdoors and helped people with problems of hunger, homelessness and poverty. In 1867, Booth had only 10 full-time workers, but by 1874, the number had grown to 1,000 volunteers and 42 evangelists. Booth assumed the title of general superintendent, with his followers calling him “General”. The converts spread out of the East End of London into neighbouring areas and then to other cities. 
     In May of 1878, Booth summoned his son, Bramwell, and his good friend George Railton to read a proof of the Christian Mission's annual report. At the top it read: THE CHRISTIAN MISSION is A VOLUNTEER ARMY. Bramwell strongly objected to this wording. He was not a volunteer: he was compelled to do God's work. So, in a flash of inspiration, Booth crossed out "Volunteer" and wrote "Salvation". The Salvation Army was born. The name “The Salvation Army” was then adopted and these words became the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army. From that point, converts became soldiers of Christ and were also known then as Salvationists. The “army” was furnished with uniforms, a flag, a brass band and martial music. 
​     Booth and his wife and other officers of the Army endeavoured to expand the kingdom of God through the two-pillar directions of evangelical ministry and social ministry. By the 1900s, the Army had spread around the world. The Salvation Army soon had officers and soldiers in 36 countries, including the United States of America. This well-organized yet flexible structure inspired a great many much-needed services: women's and men's social work, the first food depot, the first day nursery and the first Salvation Army missionary hospital. During World War II, The Salvation Army operated 3,000 service units for the armed forces, which led to the formation of the United Service Organizations.
     Today, The Salvation Army is present in 132 countries and continues to work where the need is greatest, guided by faith in God and love for all people and meeting human needs in the name of God without discrimination.

Our history in Taiwan
     In the spring of 1928, Japanese Salvation Army officers led by Brigadier Yasowo Segawa pioneered work in Taiwan.  They established corps in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung but this was curtailed in 1944 with the outbreak of Second World War.
     In May 1964 United States forces were sent to Taiwan to protect her. Among the servicemen who came was Airman, Leslie Lovestead, a 20 year old Salvationist. Leslie was presented with a Salvation Army flag at his farewell to take with him to Taiwan.  On his arrival in Taichung, this dedicated young airman commenced Salvation Army activities, devoting a great deal of his time and personal money to establishing a mission.  He was best-known for his musical ability. By December of the same year he had rented a chapel, and had a congregation of 250 children and an ever-growing number of adults.
     Being aware of his impending return to the United States at the end of a year’s service, he wrote to IHQ appealing for help with the fledgling work in Taichung.  General Frederick Coutts responded to his plea and Colonel and Mrs George Lancashire were sent to Taiwan, in October 1965 to lay solid foundations for the Army in Taiwan.
     19 March 1966 saw the official recommencement of the work in Taiwan and the opening of Taipei Central Corps. Other corps openings followed: Taichung (April 1967), Kuting (November 1967-merged with Mucha Corps, 1987), Hsien Tien Corps (September 1969–closed April 1974), Tainan Corps (March 1973), Keelung Corps (October 1973–closed September 1978), Neihu Corps (October 1978), Mucha Corps (1987–merged with Central corps January 2002), Puli Corps (April 2001), Yuchih Outpost (April 2014).
      In 1974, the Region became a Division of the Hong Kong and Taiwan Command. However, Taiwan became a separate Region again in January 1997.
     Over the years the Army has operated a training and development center for physically and mentally challenged children, nurseries and a kindergarten.  These were closed due to government regulations. Services to the community have continued through local congregations. 
     The Regional Headquarters at Dun Hua South Road was purchased and officially opened on 17 November 1986.
     Following the disastrous 921 earthquake (September 1999) in Puli, Nantou County, The Salvation Army was quick to provide immediate disaster relief to the affected people.
     Thus the Puli Outreach Center (August 2000) was established to provide ongoing support to the people struggling to reestablish their lives.  This work expanded rapidly and the Puli Corps commenced. Services to the community, including training for unemployed people developed. The Puli Youth Services Centre (January 2002) commenced to provide care for over 100 boys sent to us from the Juvenile Courts. The Puli Community Development Centre (October 2004) was officially opened to provide education and community programs for young people.
     Our other Social work include the commencement of the Taipei Homeless Caring Centre (July 2003) providing support and care to over 80 homeless clients daily.
     The Yuchi Outpost and Community Services (April 2014) was commenced to serve the needs for 13 nearby communities. Since January 2017, independent Sunday meetings have been conducted.
     The Changhua Children’s Home (January 2016) came under the management of the Army again providing care for 16 disadvantaged children referred to us from the courts. 
     The Salvation Army is constantly exploring new relevant initiatives to serve the people of Taiwan, endeavoring to meet their physical, social and spiritual needs.  With “heart to God and hand to man”, The Salvation Army is committed to being a vital expression of Christian witness and service in Taiwan.

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