A rich history

Although The Salvation Army no longer has a corps (church) at Bourke, it has a rich history. Captain Alex Miller started The Salvation Army in Bourke in May 1888, and recorded its first open-air meeting: Rain teemed down; mud and slush everywhere. Earnest, enquiring, listening throng round Open-Air. A rush to the hall, not withstanding the fearful state of the streets. Great crowd in the hall, best attention given … The power of the Holy Ghost rested on us as we told of Jesus’ power to save. For the next 28 years The Salvation Army served Bourke, with 48 officers stationed there and many lives changed. The Salvation Army closed its corps doors in Bourke in 1916. For some time in the 1940s the Army returned to Bourke with monthly visits by Field Unit 1. The Salvation Army is still present in Bourke today, with its North NSW rural chaplains based in the outback town.