Argentina

From Sawiki

On the 25th of November 1889 Colonel and Mrs. Henry Thurman, with Captains William Bonnett and Frederick Calvert were dedicated and farewelled for South America. As they stood under the flag of the Argentine Republic, Major Pearson prayed for the success of the mission and for Gods blessing on the party.

For these pioneers Christmas Day was dedicated to making benches and scrubbing floors in a hired hall at Calle Cambaceres, Buenos Aires City. On New Years Day 1890 the first meeting was held, opening the work of the Salvation Army in Argentina.

In May Colonel and Mrs. Thurman returned to Britain and Major and Mrs. Barrit with Staff Captain Stanley Ewens and Alfred Banwell were sent out as reinforcements. Soon another contingent was dispatched. Adjutant Brockington, Captain Reynard, Lieutenants Halliwell and Sadler, and two French captains arrived in Buenos Aires. Between them these officers spoke Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and German. Communicating with the indigenous population would be much easier from now on.

Spanish Red Shield

The first copy of the El Cruzado (The War Cry), printed in Spanish, was published in November 1890. Despite stiff opposition, not least from the Roman Catholic Church by the end of that year four corps had been opened and twenty officers were engaged in the salvation war. Social work was started in 1891 when a job agency was set up to help the unemployed. Prison visitation and a men's hostel quickly followed.

In 1910 the Salvation Army was specially empowered by the authorities to clear the streets of tramps and beggars for the celebration of Argentina's centenary as an independent republic. The first building erected by the Army in Buenos Aires was opened in 1911 as a night shelter for men. Since then El Refugio (The Refuge) has never closed its doors, with up to 170 men making it their home every night.

When William Booth was promoted to Glory in 1912 it was proposed in the Council Chamber that, by way of tribute to him, a piece of land in Buenos Aires should be donated for the Salvation Army's use. A castle-like building, Hogar Pagola Womens Home, was erected on the donated site.

From Argentina the Army's work spread to Uruguay in 1890 and to Paraguay in 1910. These three countries now form the Salvation Army's South American East Territory.

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