Chesterfield
From Sawiki
Corps History
Chesterfield Corps was opened on June 6th 1882 in the Nottingham and Derby Division, Captain Shapland and Lieutenant Roberts were appointed the first Corps Commanding Officers and William Philpott the first Sergeant Major. The first meetings were held at Green's Dance Hall in Hipper Street, which stood on the site now occupied by Chesterfield Police Station. In 1883 Charles Day was appointed the first Corps Bandmaster. 1888 Saw the Founder, General William Booth, visit Chesterfield as part of his U.K. Motor Tour Campaign.
Many different venues were used for meetings in the early years, including the Victoria Ballroom,Brewery Yard Brampton and the Assembly Rooms , Market Hall. It was not until 1921 that the Markham Road site was purchased for a permanent hall for the sum of £120. The new hall was built by Alderman Clark with Commissioner Isaac Unsworth leading the first meetings in the new hall.
From May 27th to June 15th 1931, Brigadier Harry French visited Chesterfield to conduct a 20 Day Revival and Salvation Campaign. The Corps History Book records that there were, 'quite a number of seekers, and four consecrations.' Later that year, on November 18th, General Higgins visited Chesterfield and conducted two meetings which were held in the Bradbury Hall and attended by nearly 1,500 people!
On the occasion of Chesterfield Corps centenary in 1982, letters of congratulations were received from General Jarl Wahlstrom, and from Buckingham Palace on behalf of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Hall at Markham Road continued to be the Chesterfield home for almost 77 years. With the movement of population away from the town centre and new roads making access to the hall very difficult, it was decided that in order for Chesterfield Corps to continue to flourish a new home must be found.
Early in the year 2001 the Markham Road site was sold, and the corps moved to temporary rented premises at Holm Hall Community Centre, Taddington Road. Attendances quickly increased, and with a building fund underway it surely will not be long before the Chesterfield Corps again has a permanent home in the community it serves.
