The Salvation Army will celebrate it's 135th anniversary in Bundaberg this weekend.
The first recorded meeting of the Salvos was an open-air gathering on the evening of Monday, 6 September 1886, around the gas light post at the intersection of Bourbong and Targo streets.
A permanent home was soon needed and in early 1887 ground was secured to build a hall in Tantitha Street, with the foundation stone was laid on 26 April 1887 by Commissioner T. Henry Howard, the leader of The Salvation Army at the time. After nearly 130 year, a premises was secured in Avenell Heights and the new building was opened on Saturday, 9 May 2015.
Members and supporters of the Salvos in Bundaberg will celebrate the 135th anniversary with a number of activities and gatherings being held over the weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September.
Majors Chris and Melissa Millard, leaders of the Bundaberg Salvation Army said that the anniversary was a huge achievement for the church as a whole. "Members are excited to be a part of something with such a great legacy and celebrating the anniversary is a chance to be grateful for our history and all that God has done through The Salvation Army while looking forward to seeing how God will continue to work," Melissa said.
"We are proud of how The Salvation Army continues to support the community through the church, the family stores, emergency relief assistance, Moneycare, Youth Housing Support and the Tom Quinn Community Centre.
Celebrations on Saturday will feature the Bundaberg Salvation Army band and the Divisional Fellowship Band from Brisbane. The Bundaberg Salvation Army band has been well-received throughout the generations, with the band of 14 including young performers, many of whom start out in the junior band before graduating to the senior band.
"The Salvation Army Queensland Division leaders will be coming up from Brisbane to lead the weekend and it will be exciting for all involved to celebrate the weekend. We are proud to have both the Divisional and the local band performing a concert on the Saturday afternoon, as well as playing for the Sunday meeting", Melissa said.
