The Salvation Army Citadel was opened on April 5th 1908.
4/5/2010 at 7:59 AM
Arrival of the Salvation Army in Brandon in 1887 sounded a new note on the local Gospel Front to this three-year-old community.
The first few months of the Mercy Band’s invasion of Manitoba’s new frontier was with concern for human derelicts, and brought proclamation punctuated with vocal demonstrations at street meetings that often was accompanied by jeers, taunts, physical abuse, including receiving pelting’s of rotten eggs.
In 1898, the Salvation Army held its first Wedding at its Army Barracks. Lt. Major McWilliams was in Brandon to perform the Ceremony.
Hallelujah Weddings were rare in Brandon, infact they had not occurred before. The thrifty lasses of the Salvation Army improved the occasion by selling admission tickets for fifteen cents each.
The crowd was only limited by the size of the room. Salvation Army girls dressed in red and blue costumes and wearing quilted poke bonnets sold the magazine ‘War Cry’ at the door.
A Historical description of this ceremony is as follows. The stage was decorated with Ferns and Lilies. The ceiling was gay with bunting. The ceremony is preceded and followed by singing, praying and speech making.
As the young couple enter the room, and advance across the platform, the squeaky piano in the corner accompanies the choir as they sing, “Love is boundless as the sea: as endless as eternity.” The couple sit down amid a loud chorus of “Amen’s”, and Lt. Major McWilliams explains the ceremony that was to come.
After reading the Articles of Marriage to which the couple had already subscribed their assent, Lt. Major McWilliams called on them to arise. At the same time two Adjutants move forward, one bearing a Union Jack, and the other the flag of the Salvation Army, blue bordered, with a golden star in the centre. The flags are joined over the heads of the couple and the ceremony would begin.
“I do solemnly declare,” said the Groom “that I know of no lawful impediment that I, (the groom) may not be joined to (the Bride).
The Bride repeats the declaration. After the joining of hands the Groom calls upon all persons present to ‘Witness’ the taking of his lawful Bride, and Continual Comrade in War. He declares this on his honour as a true Soldier of Jesus Christ.
As the Groom places the ring on the Bride’s finger he says “I put this ring on your finger as a continual sign that we are married under the solemn pledges we have this day given to live for God, and fight in the Salvation Army.”
“In the name of God the Father,” says Lt. Major McWilliams, “and of the Salvation Army, I declare you to be Husband and Wife together. Whom God has joined together let no man put asunder.”
Followed is a tremendous chorus of “Amen’s” and “God bless you’s.” The audience sings “Hallelujah,” and then takes a collection for the happy couple.
By 1889 the crusading Salvation Army took over its new “Harbour Light” Barracks near Ninth Street and Princess Avenue.
The city was elated in 1894 when Salvation Army Leader William Booth, (10 April 1829 – 20 August 1912) paid a visit.
His Mass Meetings were so popular that hundreds of follower’s were turned away from Brandon’s largest Rink because of lack of space. Again in January 1895 the now General William Booth visited Brandon for two days, and was greeted again by people of all denominations.
1900 saw the visitation from England of the Salvation Army’s special evangelist Eva Booth, she gave a talk on her experiences in the London Slums at a number of City Hall meetings.
In 1906 the Canadian Northern Railroad Directors secured the Salvation Army’s Ninth Street Barracks. The Army then purchased real estate at Princess Avenue, and Seventh Street which had been the original Baptist worship centre, they had relocated at Van Horne and Thirteenth Street, but this building had become a Union Mission for use by those having no special religious affiliation.
The Salvation Army Citadel was opened on April 5th 1908 at Princess Avenue and Seventh Street. The official introduction included Past Mayor Robert Hall who unlocked the doors using a silver key. The organization’s Band provided musical accompaniment for several hundred voices.
In 1910 General Booth was promoted to Glory, and a black and white movie of his Funeral Cartage was shown at the Bijou Theatre, 124 Ninth Street.
A formal opening of a Salvation Army managed “Children’s Home” located at the corner of Sixth Street and Victoria Avenue occurred on February 14th 1921. It was said to provide the necessities for youngsters neglected through parental separation.
Today the Salvation Army is located at 9 Princess Avenue East.
Source: Daly House Museum Wedding exhibit.
Brandon a city by G. F. Barker
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