Maidstone
From Sawiki
| Maidstone |
 |
| Territory: United Kingdom Territory |
| Division: London South East Division |
| Opened: 1882 |
| Corps Number: |
| Location: 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1ED |
| Current Officers: tba |
Maidstone Corps History
The year 1882 was eventful. The composer Igor Stravinsky was born and scientist Charles Darwin died. It was also the year the year that The Salvation Army arrived in Maidstone. It was the result of correspondence between Dr W. Woods-Smyth, a house surgeon at the Ophthalmic Hospital, and General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army. Premises in the form of a skating rink in Sandling Road were acquired and transformed in a 'Salvation Rink' seating 800. The doctor, who had previously run a small church mission, together with a band of helpers, formed the nucleus of the corps.
The Army's first Sunday witness commenced on 1 October, 1882 with a 7am prayer meeting attended by 65 people. At 10am a march around the town, led by Chatham Band, was witnessed by a large and curious crowd. The hall was crowded for the morning meeting and many dedicated themselves for fuller service. A second march took place in the afternoon with police keeping the large crowd of onlookers in order. The open-air service planned for the evening had to be cancelled because the hall was full a good half-hour before time.
The first commanding officer was Captain Charlotte Parsons. The South-East Gazette reported: The lady is certainly a very pleasant and fluent speaker, being well calculated to make the mission successful. The Captain, who was supported in her ministry by her husband, reported within three months of opening the corps to The War Cry: Great results have followed the capture of the town. Thirty prisoners were taken in one week. The Kentish fire is beginning to burn.
In December 1882, the local press carried reports of a renewal of disturbances involving the Army, although apparently these did not match the seriousness of riots which had occurred in the first weeks. During one march through the town, a gang of youths blocked Sandling Road and refused to let the march proceed. The obstruction was pushed to one side, but in the scuffle that followed a number of Salvationists were assaulted. Assistance was rendered by the police, and later four men, not Salvationists!, were charged with assault. Rotten eggs, red ochre and refuse were among the ammunition used by those who sought to quell the fire and enthusiasm of our early-day comrades!
In October 1883, the first corps anniversary was conducted by Major Smith who, after camping overnight, commenced the Sunday's activities with a 7am knee-drill (prayer meeting). Testimonies were a feature of the meetings: a converted drunkard testified in the afternoon meeting and his little girl sang a solo. The War Cry in its report asked, 'Who can doubt the power of God to save in the face of such living witnesses as these?', referring to a family of hawkers who had stood in a row on the platform. On the Monday evening, comrades comrades and officers from surrounding corps gathered for the presentation of the first corps colours. Major Smith's charge to the corps was, Go in Maidstone, no surrender, Victory through the Blood!
Christmas Day 1883 so no relaxation in the usual open-air activities, a feature of one being a testimony from one of the earliest converts. Four labourers were converted in the evening meeting. On Boxing Day night a good 'Hallelujah Tea' was held after which banners were presented to the sergeants. Eight more sought salvation.
In 1886, Captain & Mrs Orsborn were appointed to the corps, and on 4th September Mrs Orsborn gave birth to a son - Albert, who was later to become General of The Salvation Army. Albert's birth was registered in the name of Alfred, the error not being discovered and rectified until 1944 when he became the British Commissioner.
The zeal of the early-day comrades was epitomised in 1888 by the establishment of an outpost in the village of Loose. The witness there continued with the aid of a small band until the First World War brought about its closure. Of interest was the hall, well known in the locality as the Iron Building, which had been acquired from the Baptist Mission. and which later became the meeting place of Loose Women's institute before being declared unsafe and demolished in 1976.
Other noteworthy features of the early days included the marches around the time, the large number of regular meetings held and the 'pub raids'. The marches were led by the corps band which had been formed within weeks of the corps being opened. As for the meetings, these were held every night of the week.
In the autumn of 1897 Maidstone was stricken by a typhoid epidemic caused by impurities in the public water supply. Trade came to a standstill, the streets were deserted and all its schools closed
The Army had by this time acquired new premises in Station Road, and the hall was temporarily converted into a hospital. At the height of the epidemic all the 50 beds were occupied, with Salvationists tending to the needs of the sick. When the outbreak was finally brought under control, almost 2000 cases had been reported and the number of deaths approached 150. The efforts of the Salvationists did not go unnoticed. The local press reported that worldly gentlemen now lift their tall silk hats when passing a Salvation Army lady. The War Cry declared in 1897, People who used to scoff and sneer at The Salvation Army and the gospel have been the first to send for us to nurse them and pray with them in distress.
In 1907 during its 25 anniversary year, the corps moved from Station Road to new premises in Union Street, which had formerly been a Baptist Chapel.
