France
From Sawiki
In March 1881 a small company of young women, led by the Founder's eldest daughter Catherine, set sail to raise the Army's flag in France. This was to be the first time the Army had opened fire in a non- English speaking country, and Catherine's fluency in the French language was invaluable.
Accompanied by Lieutenants, Adelaide Cox and Florence Soper, Catherine held the first Army meeting on French soil in Paris on Sunday, March 13th 1881. It was a riotous affair and opposition from local people was frequently encountered.
The Army's first Headquarters were at Rue d'Angouleme in the slums of Belleville, but so successful were Catherine and her Lieutenants that by the end of 1882 a new hall, seating 1,200 people was opened on the Quai de Valmy.
However opposition from some quarters was still strong, and it was not until the end of the first world war that there was a remarkable change in public opinion, brought about to a large extent by a great extension to The Salvation Army's social work.
