Westville Churches / Wesley Memorial Church / St. Philip's Presbyterian / Carmel Presbyterian Church / St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church / The United Church of Canada / St. Bees' Church / The Salvation Army / Church Groups
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army came to Westville in the spring of 1885 under the officership of Captain Hannah Worr. It was the last congregation to erect a building.
The first meetings, initially outdoors, were later held in halls such as the Michael Muir Hall, which is the former Laundromat building; and the old Oddfellows Hall, which is now the United Church parking lot. Those early outdoor services were conducted with Worr addressing the crowd form the top of the wagon. The first converts were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas MacEwan.
The current Salvation Army property on Union Street was formerly the property of Michael Muir. Mr. Muir was a cricket player, and the boys of the town used to gather for cricket practice on the site of the present hall. The building was erected and dedicated in 1912. It has been renovated many times, including 1963 when it was rededicated; Envoy Mrs. A. Dehmel was the commanding officer.
The penitent form now being used, made in the early ‘30’s, was donated by brother J.D. Simpson, father of one of the oldest soldiers, Mrs. Ida Green, and dedicated by Major Owen, DC.
The Salvation Army has been very active movement and was so, even before the incorporation of the town. It was very common to see large Salvation Army parades and excellent brass bands. In the early 1900’s the band was led by Bill Henderson, and later by Fred Davis. Other band members included Tim Dalling, Yuill Morrison, Dave Patterson, Dick Cholmondeley, Robert Henderson and George Johnson.
It was very common practice for all the ministers of the town to gather at the Salvation Army hall for what were referred to as combined ‘lectures’. In March 1932, for example, Mayor George E. Munro presided over a lecture entitled “Fragments from France” in which the ministers of the town took part. Whatever was happening at the Army hall, the other ministers were there. During the Week of Prayer, the ministers often “traded” churches for services and this is still a practice today. In January 1943, Mayor Porter, DC. spoke in the Presbyterian church, while the Rev. Rattee was at the Salvation Army and Rev. Mitchell brought the message in the Army hall and Captain Ritchie went to the United Church to minister.
The Salvation Army is well known for its evangelistic campaigns, such as the one held in January 1958, called the “The God Seeks You” campaign.
The Home Front Campaign, now referred to as the Red Shield Appeal, was usually chaired by the mayor of the town. For a number of years in the early 40’s, Mayor J. A. MacGregor headed the campaign and in 1948 Westville was the first to reach its goal!
The Salvation Army has been described as a ‘permanent mission to the unchurched’. Therefore, the intense emphasis of evangelism education – biblical and enrollment – is very much evident even today.
The Salvation Army came to Westville on December 5, 1885.
Among the first converts were Brother and Sister Thomas MacEwan.
Former Officers
Capt. Hannah Worr Capt. Bertha Bissett
Capt. Dowell Capt. D.F. Hoar
Capt.
Turner Capt. S. Raymor
Capt. H.W. Creigthton Capt. J.
Bowering
Capt. A.V. Palmer Capt. B. Campbell
Capt Wm. Freer Capt. Morney
Capt. F. MacLean Capt. Gamble
A very early photo of the
Salvation Army Hall. The cornerstone is engraved: S.A.
Citadel - Erected 1912