Morriston

From Sawiki

Morriston Citadel Corps - Our History

The town of Morriston is situated three miles up the Swansea Valley, and, from early beginnings, was a 'hot bed' of Welsh nonconformity. Incidently, Morriston is home to the largest chapel in the Principality, called Tabernacle, which dominates the town and which is euphemistically refered to as the 'Nonconformist Catederal of Wales'. It was into this religious environment that the 'Army' entered the town in 1887.

The Salvation Army was officially opened in 1st January 1887, Captain Lizzie Codogen in charge, although it commenced it's ministry some time earlier: the first meetings were said to be held in a small building in the Old Bridge district of Morriston - but this cannot be authenticated. However, meetings were held in a room above a cobbler's shop in Clydu Street, which still stands today.

The Corps moved from the above premises to the present Citadel, which is situated in Morfydd Street, in mid May 1889. Under the heading 'The House that Tom Built', the report of the dat in the War Cry states, The Morriston Corps in the Swansea Division has had a prosperous month since Major & Mrs. Lawley in the middle of May opened the barracks built by 'Noisy Tom' Morgan.

Further reports from the War Cry in those early days:-

March 17th, 1888 Morriston - A blessed soul-saving work is being carried on at the Corps, of which Captain Lizzie Cadogan is in charge. A large number of men who have spent many a pound in the public house have been captured for Jesus, and their money is now flowing in the proper channel. Forty of these have recently been sworn in as Salvation Army soldiers under the Blood and Fire flag by Staff-Captain Morgan. May ther numbers continually increase.

June 2nd, 1888 Morriston is making real progress and some of the biggest sinners in town have farewelled from sin and are fighting for Christ. On Sunday some most stirring testimonies were given which would convince any hearer, however sceptical, that a great work of depth is being carried on.

August 21st, 1889 After eleven months succesful warfare, Captain Louisa Brown and Lieutenant Louisa Smith have farewelled from Morriston. Captain Anne Ballard, late of Neath, and brand new Lieutenant Lizzie Gilbert, formerly a Brighton I soldier, have succeeded there. Fifty blood and fire Welshmen singing in the open air, and thirty five dealing with God at kneedrill, makes not a small affair. This corps at present heads the division in 'War Cry' sales, kneedrill, open air and nightly attendances.

Is the stripling always to lead the way? Swansea I exclaims "We are on their hels, look out!" Pembroke Dock gasps "We are following hard!" LLanelli means to be second to none; Carmarthen hopes yet, but Morriston declares its intention of going up, and keeping first. (Staff-Captain Otway D.O.)

October 26, 1889, reported in the 'War Cry' that Morriston sold over 400 copies each week - and so the soul-saving work goes on.

The Citadel buildings were in a state of dis-repair and required a great deal of work to be done. The comrades of the Corps decided to do something about it. A special appeal was launched to raise funds to renovte the hall, sufficient money being given by the comrades on the first Sunday to commence the work, with a commitment by others to give as they could afford.

So, early in 1965, extensive renovations were carried out on the hall, most of the work being carried out by comrades of the Corps, and many friends, who gave their services freee of charge - professional help being sought only where necessary, thus keeping the cost down to a minimum. This meant that the comrades had to vacate the premises, and that meetings had to be held elsewhere.

The famous Morriston Orpheus Male Voice Choir allowed the Corps the use of their rehersal room for the whole peried without charge: a magnificent gesture on their part, and greatly appreciated by the Corps Officers and Comrades. The work was compleated a year ahead of schedule and a sum of eight hundred pounds left over from the renovations of the Citadel was 'ear-marked' to become the basis for the purchase of premises for the Young People's Corps. The spiritual tone of the Corps was enhanced by the experience of working together in this way. The comrades treated the whole period as a time of special fellowship, believing that the Lord was ever present and blessing their efforts.

The re-opening of the Hall was on Saturday, 5th February 1966, with celebrations continuing on the Sunday, these being conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel & Mrs. H. Habershaw.

The Gospel message has been faithfully preached in the streets of Morriston and district thousands of times throughout the last 120 years. Today, forth, fith, and sixth generation Salvationists serve the 'Present Age' with the same zeal, fervour and vigour of early day Salvationists - proud of their heritage.

Morriston Citadel Band

There is no offical date available to establish when the band was inaugerated, but it is believed that it was formed in the early 1900's - Johnny Brown being the first Bandmaster appointed.

Since it's inception, the band has been to the fore of the Corps activities - playing a very vital role in the Corps. It is worth noting that until 1938 it was the only musical section functioning at the corps.

During it's lifetime, the band has faithfully proclaimed the gospel message in the streets of Morriston thousands of times - telling the old, old story, Many have been won for the Kingdom through its witness.

Apart from its own Corps activities, the band has campaigned at many Corps, both in Wales and England. It is very active in the local community, continually responding to requests for its partisipation in defferent events and functions. Playing in Old People's homes, Chapels and Churches, visiting the Hospital twice a month and on Chrsitmas morning, a ministry greatly appreciated by staff and patients alike. It has shared concert platforms with many famous Male Voice Choirs, and made a recording with Cor Meibion Cwm Garw. In 1976 it had the distinctionof being featured on BBC TV's 'Songs of Praise' broadcast from the famous Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston.

A group of bandsmen were part of the Salvation Army's team at the Aberfan disaster - epitomising the caring aspect of the Salvation Army's ministy - the authorities being greatful for the Army's involvement and practical contribution in this traumatic and dreadful incident, the awful consequences of which not only shoked the nation, but reverberated throughout the whole world. It had a profound and lasting effect upon the Bandsmen. - Where there's a need, there's The Salvation Army.

In its ranks are men and women from all walks of life, each a dedicated Christian with a common aim and purpose, of providing, through their music, an awareness of the Kingdom of God.

Today numbering an average of 22 players the band is lead by Bandmaster Chris Lear, supported by Deputy Bandmaster Lyndon Kervin and Band Secretary Derek Brown.

Morriston Citadel Songsters

The Morriston Citadel Songster Brigade was formed by Adjutant Amos Woodger and comissioned in March 1943 under the leadership of Songster Leader John Heaney. To date it has only had four leaders including the present one. Some attempt was made to form a brigade many years ago but it never functioned.

Morriston Citadel Songsters has acquired a reputation for fine singing, and has travelled extensively throughout England, Wales and the Channel Islands - visiting well over 60 corps. The songsters also made an overseas tour to Sweden in Sptember 1977, which lasted 10 days and was very sucessful in every respect, visiting 13 corps. This tour meant that the songsters were the first Welsh brigade to undertake an overseas tour.

The songsters have been chosen to sing three times as the'solo' brigade at National Songster Festivals and was featured in the first, second and fourth series of the radio series 'Banners and Bonnets'. They have had the privilege of being part of the Chorus for the International Congress at Wembley in 1978 when recording the 'Meet the Composers' and ' Day of Salvation' LP's.

Also, the songsters took part in the Welsh Centenary Celebrations in Llandaff Cathederal, Cardiff in September 1974 and at the Bristish Congress in Bristol's Colston Hall in 1976. The songsters have sung in front of Salvation Army Generals including Generals Wilfred Kitching, Frederick Coutts, Erik Wickberg, Arnold Brown and Eva Burrows, and also took part in 'A Day with the General' meetings at Westminster Central Hall under the leadership of General Arnold Brown in November 1980.

The Songsters appeared in a HTV Television Regigious programme from Cardiff and, in 1986, was featured in the Salvation Army video 'The Love of God'.

In addition to the above the Brigade is totally involved in all corps activities and Divisional meetings and special events when called upon. They sing at Old People's Homes and in local Churches in the district, a ministry greatly appreciated.

Other than the brigades first leader, the other past leaders were Songster Leader Eric Lear and Songster Leader Chris Lear (now Bandmaster). The present leader Songster Leader Stephen Halfpenny leads this fine group of some 40 singers. Although the style of music may have changed through the years the message that the songsters sing to those who hear is still the same message that God is Love.