Czech Republic

From Sawiki

The Salvation Army's flag was raised in Czechoslovakia on September 19th 1919 by Colonel Karl Larsson. Evangelistic and social work activities were maintained until June 1950 when all official operations were suppressed by the communist authorities. Salvation Army officer Brigadier Joseph Korbel was arrested in Brno and suffered for his faith by being imprisoned for ten years. Brigadier Korbel was admitted to the Order of the Founder on July 2nd 1990.

Following the opening of the central European borders, the first official Salvation Army meeting in Czechoslovakia for forty years was held in Prague on April 4th 1990 led by Commissioner Reinder Schurink. The Salvation Army's work was officially re-established in May 1990. The Netherlands Territory was appointed to take charge of the re-development and Major and Mrs. Willem van der Harst were posted to Czechoslovakia to take charge of the work.

By the end of 1990 centres were re-opened in Prague, Brno and Ostrava. During her visit in 1991, General Eva Burrows opened the first hostel for the homeless men in Havirov, and laid the foundation stone for the first Eventide Home for the elderly in Ostrava.

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