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A brief history of the Boscombe Corps of The Salvation Army

Boscombe Corps (no.788 in the 'British Territory') was started when Captain George Milward was sent from Headquaters on Novermber 12th, 1885. The first meetings were held in a hall in Shelley Road before we moved round the corner to the current location in Palmerston Road in 1898.

When General and Mrs Albert Orsborn (right) retired to Bournemouth in 1954 and decided to soldier at Boscombe Corps they were the first Salvation Army leaders to reside in Britain after retirement. They were, from the outset, much loved and respected soldiers, and entered into the life of the Corps wholeheartedly and occasionally the General was invited to lead one of his own songs during open-air and Sunday meetings.

In 1958 General Albert Orsborn introduced the now renowned Boscombe Easter Convention. Today the Convention draws people from near and far generating congregations that fill the hall for this event every year.

On February 4th 1967 when General Orsborn was promoted to Glory, his loss was felt with deep regret and so on November 24th 1984 commissioner Howard Orsborn opened the Orsborn Memorial Halls (pictured below) debt free - the final cost being £660,000. It was fitting that after much planning and fund raising we moved into the current suite of buildings in our Centenary year (1985).

The puchase of the Youth House at 107 Palmerston Road (opposite the hall) has proved invaluable in developing the Corps' ministry to young people. Originally purchased and used as a restaurant under the name, 'The Little Nibbler', the building was converted into a building for young people to use in the mid-90's. For more about the current facilities, click here.

During the last 20 years the long established sections of the Corps have continued to serve as a vital part of our ministry - the musical sections enhancing worship, the Home League, the Over 60's, the Young People's work, the Corps Magazine and the Army's literature distribution. Added to this since 1984, extra avenues of service and community contact have developed and are working successfully. These include:

Alpha courses
Bible study groups
Fellowship groups
Tuesday prayer fellowship
Care group system
Community Shop (695-697 Christchurch road, Boscombe)
Parents and Toddlers group
Kids Alive/Youth Alive
Football team
Ladies Fellowship
Art Class
Luncheon club for the Over 60's
Friday meal run for the homeless
Christmas Day entertainment and dinner for 100 guests
Multi-media
Tape ministry
Website