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A brief
history of Boscombe Salvation Army
The
Boscombe Corps (no.788 in the 'British Territory') was started when
Captain George Milward was sent from Headquarters 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.
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 -
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. It still retains this use but has also recently begun
to be used a drop-in centre for local people.
During the last 25 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 (now called the 'Home
Circle'), the Over 60's, the Young People's work, and the Army's
literature distribution. Added to this since 1984, extra avenues
of service and community contact have developed and are working
successfully. See our weekly activities by clicking here.
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