A Brief Look at our Origins
The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice. The Army’s doctrine follows the mainstream of Christian belief and its articles of faith emphasize God’s saving purposes. Its objects are ‘the advancement of the Christian religion… of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole.’
The movement, founded in 1865 by William Booth, has spread from London, England, to many parts of the world. The rapid deployment of the first Salvationists was aided by the adoption of a quasi-military command structure in 1878 when the title, ‘The Salvation Army’, was brought into use. A similarly practical organisation today enables resources to be equally flexible. Responding to a recurrent theme in Christianity which sees the Church engaged in spiritual warfare, the Salvation Army continues to use soldier’s features such as uniforms, flags and ranks to identify, inspire and regulate the ministry.
Our History in Tanzania
In November 1933, Adjutant and Mrs. Francis Dare came from Kenya to begin the work of The Salvation Army in Tabora, Tanzania (formerly known as Tanganyika). Starting in 1947 an initiative was developed to grow peanuts in Tanganyika as a contribution to both the African and British economies. The Groundnuts Scheme began but was abandoned four years later on January 9th, 1951. A few years later The Salvation Army took occupancy of a former RAF camp as a center to assist immigrants who, having come to Tanzania to assist with the scheme, found themselves homeless and jobless. In 1961, The Salvation Army was registered in Dar es Salaam, and the 15 acres on Kilwa Road became its Headquarters. In 1962, the Salvation Army was given Permission to Occupy the property and it has been the site of our Territorial (National) Headquarters ever since.