Early Opposition

The Salvation Army’s early presence in Liverpool was hard to miss, with band marches down the main streets and loud open-air meetings. Consequently, not everyone welcomed the newcomers. An early report of the beginning of Salvation Army ministry noted that: In 1884 the town of Liverpool was ‘literally seized upon as a field for the Salvation Army and a very fine barrack [was] erected almost within the shadow of the quaint old church.’ And the “Sydney Mail” claimed that the local Protestant churches had ‘suffered diminution in consequence’. Their conquest of Liverpool was not that easy, however, and the local larrikins gave them quite a boisterous reception as possums, rats and even a koala were let loose in some of the early Army meetings.

Download photo