The Salvation Army

Listed in Canton, this entry represents The Salvation Army in Massachusetts, the statewide arm of the international church and charity. Its programs span Adult Rehabilitation Centers, the Bridging the Gap program, camp and summer programs, a Children’s Learning Center, Emergency Disaster Services and the Pathway of Hope initiative. It also operates the Wonderland Conference Center and supports an Echelon Boston chapter, giving supporters several ways to volunteer, give or take part in its work.

At its heart The Salvation Army is a church, and its officers are ordained pastors who lead local programs. William Booth founded the movement in London in 1865 as the East London Christian Mission, adopting military-style ranks and uniforms as it grew. Today it counts more than 1.5 million officers, soldiers and adherents and assists roughly 30 million Americans each year, with a mission to meet human needs in Jesus’ name without discrimination.

What to Know

• The Salvation Army has pursued its mission in the eastern United States since 1880.
• Massachusetts is part of the USA Eastern Territory, which oversees 11 of the 40 U.S. divisions.
• The international organization is headquartered in London and serves in 130 countries.