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A Short History

Compiled by ex Corps Treasurer J Levens                           Written in 1984

 
In the archives at International Headquarters it is mentioned that William & Catherine Booth for a short time lived in Shaftesbury Rd Hammersmith (this Rd now called Ravenscourt Road is directly behind our present hall). William Booth walked from Whitechapel to Hammersmith one day & greeted his Wife by saying: "Kate I Have Found My Destiny”.  From this remark the Salvation Army was born.

Shortly after this, Catherine Booth was in the Fulham Palace area of the District & walking past a shed where some pigs were housed, she heard moaning.  She entered the barn & found a ragged clothed & dirty man lying amongst the pigswill. We do not know whether she was able to get assistance, but suffice to say the man was soundly converted & became the first Sgt Major of Hammersmith Corps, also being the first commissioned Sgt Major in the Salvation Army.  Catherine Booth got a businessman interested in Jimmy & he was set up with an hansom cab & plied for hire in the Hammersmith Broadway area. BROTHER JOHN ROWE  (HONEST JOHN)
 
Brother John Rowe was converted in the early 1900s, he was a navvy by trade. When he got too old to dig roads, he commenced selling the Army's War Cry, commencing his round on Monday & finishing on Saturday, on one weekend when a special War Cry was issued he ordered 500 dozen papers =6,000 copies. The history book states that he sold everyone.
 
He made such an impact in the Kensington area covered by the Corps, that the IHQ special collector was not made welcome when he called on the various titled people. They would say we only give to Honest John.  In view of this the Army made him the special collector for that area, as far as is known the only non-officer so appointed. When John passed away a Memorial service was held in the old hall & the platform was filled with titled folk, many of whom regarded John as a personal friend It is recorded that between 19l9 & 1926 General Bramwell Booth visited the Corps on at least 5 occasions.  Mrs. Bramwell Booth was even a more frequent visitor than the General.

The Corps gave refuge to the Basque children from Spain when they fled from their Country during the Civil War

During the Army's Centenary in 1965, the local Corps felt that because of William Booth's connection with the Borough, they should do something which could be used by those living in the area.  After getting agreement from the Council, the Corps folk paid for & had sited in the Furnival Gardens as near as possible to the site of the old hall a garden seat.
 
One of the highlights of our own Corps Centenary was a Founders Day meeting conducted by Commissioner Catherine Bramwell Booth in her 91st year.
Last year our 109th was a memorable weekend conducted by Colonel & Mrs Denham, they had been Corps Officers at Hammersmith during the War years.
  

Today

Today only a couple of people remain from the glorious past of this Salvation Army Corps. Yet we see hopeful signs of new growth and life.
 
A miracle of God must take place for things to turn around and we utterly depend on Him to re-establish this Salvation Army Corps and use it once again for his glory.  Times have changed, the culture has changed, the social fabric in Hammersmith has changed but people are still the same.  People still need God, still need love and hope and a sense of belonging.
 
Methods may have to change but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is as valid today as it was in the late 19th Century.  People need God today as they did then.  Finally we are called to love others and share the Good News of Jesus Christ today as our Salvation Army predecessors did over 150 years ago.

The Band in 1965