Blacktown beginnings

The first recorded meeting of The Salvation Army in the Blacktown area was by Salvation Army officers at Toongabbie, Lieutenant and Mrs Vic Hentschell. They held a meeting at Blacktown School of Arts. The Salvation Army’s presence in Blacktown continued as an outpost of Toongabbie Salvation Army, until a consolidation took place in 1974, when The Salvation Army established the Blacktown Region corps (church) which amalgamated Seven Hills, Marayong and Blacktown. The first Blacktown Salvation Army officers were Captain and Mrs Max Clanfield. In 1985, a new Salvation Army citadel in Kempsey Street was opened by Commissioner Harry Read and re-named Blacktown City Corps in keeping with Blacktown Municipality receiving city status.