Swindon Citadel
From Sawiki
| Swindon Citadel |
 |
| Territory: United Kingdom Territory |
| Division: Central South Division |
| Opened: 1881 |
| Corps Number: 185 |
| Location: King Street, Swindon |
| Current Officers: |
Swindon Citadel History
The Salvation Army ‘opened fire’ in Swindon on the 24th February 1881, almost immediately attracting a large following. A disused Methodist Church in Old Town of Marlborough Road was acquired for a ‘barracks’. A photograph taken in 1881 outside the building shows a group of over eighty people, many in uniform and about ten instrumentalists.
Later the same year the corps moved into ‘New Swindon’ and took over a former carpenters’ workshop in Albion Street. It was here that many converts were made including the parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents of some of the present day soldiers. (During this period activities continued in Old Town and thus was opened Swindon No.2 corps.) Due to great progress the No.1 corps was soon looking for alternative accommodation and a move was duly made to the old Baptist Church in Bridge Street and then yet again to King Street. The present building, purpose built for the Army, was opened in 1892 at a cost of £3000.
According to available information there have been seventy-one Commanding Officers including five instances of a female in charge with a second officer assisting. Forty-four of these C.O.s stayed just a year, about half that number completed two years and two achieved a three year residence. Unfortunately, there are no records now locally in existence concerning the corps prior to 1925 but since then, most years, varying activities and events have been registered. Space does not really allow opportunity to quote much from the Corps History Book. However certain events should be mentioned which have a specific place in the one hundred years activity of Corps number 185.
From time to time great campaigns have taken place and this has meant that at least three generations of the Booth family have visited Swindon. The Founder, William Booth, was in the town in 1904 and a great open-air meeting was held at the rear of the Town Hall. Thirty-one years later General Evangeline Booth included Swindon in her great Motorcade itinerary. A tremendous crowd is said to have attended her meeting held in the Park - loaned to us by the GWR. In October 1950, Cadet Sergt. Major Fleur Booth was amongst a party of Officers and Cadets from the Training College who were in the town on campaign. There have of course, been numerous similar instances of Cadets coming to the Corps. At the other end of the scale, neither have the Generals or Commissioners ignored us. On frequent occasions, the soldiery and friends of the corps have been encouraged and blessed by the ministry of several members of this elite group.
During the ‘20s and ‘30s, special meetings were often arranged for the unemployed and it is reported that the band played in the Park to cheer the men during the General Strike of 1926. For some months in 1933, a soup Kitchen was organised. The records show with what regularity opportunities were taken to provide meals in a variety of circumstances to members of the community in these difficult years. It is apparent, for instance, that perhaps the Over 60s’ has functioned longer than we realised!
It is probable that the summer of 1933 was the occasion when the largest ever outdoor Army activity took place in the town. On the evening of the 23rd August at the County Ground Cricket Enclosure the Biblical Tattoo entitled ‘Joseph’ was performed by one hundred costumed persons to an audience of hundreds. The organiser and presenter was the CO., Adjutant Clifford Grinsted.
On many national occasions, the local Salvationists have joined with other Churches and the townsfolk to celebrate special events. Amongst these was the Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving Service for King George V in May 1935 in the Football Enclosure at the County Ground, the music being provided by the GWR Silver and Citadel Bands. When special services were held to mark the cessation of hostilities in 1945, the Citadel comrades also participated.
In July 1930 the new Citadel Building Scheme was launched and in the following December a two day Bazaar at the large Baths raised £110. By February 1931, the hall had been "beautifully renovated" and was ready for re-occupation. The Baths had been used during the period the hall was unavailable. In August 1954, the hall was again vacated, this time to enable major alterations and construction to take place. For about five months, Rodbourne Community Centre was the venue for meetings. The great ‘Re-opening’ took place on the 15th January 1955 "on a terrible winter’s day, snowing and blowing which restricted the crowds", the ceremony was conducted by the British Commissioner (Joshua James).
Down all through the years there has been a multitude of wonderful conversions from ‘sinning to serving’ and many have been the great characters who fought staunchly and valiantly for their Lord as Salvationists. These are the people - too numerous to mention - who have made it possible for us to celebrate this Centenary and we honour their achievements in God’s service. Matching their example, it is now up to us to continue effectively the ministry to our town of the Swindon Citadel Corps.
