Ipswich History
On 6 February 1883 the Ipswich Salvation Army fired its first volleys, led by Captain Peter Cairns and his wife Lieutenant Jimima Cairns. Today, The Salvos in the Ipswich area are a vibrant expression of God's love, with faith communities, an aged care centre, indigenous ministries, a youth centre and much more.
Early opposition
On Tuesday 6 February 1883, the Ipswich Salvation Army fired its first volleys, led by Captain Peter Cairns and his wife Lieutenant Jimima Cairns, receiving a mixture of opposition and support. During one open-air meetin...
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Captain Cairns’ early ministry won a number of converts and friends to The Salvation Army in Ipswich with some remaining loyal supporters of The Salvation Army throughout its early history. The Foote family w...
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Ipswich Salvation Army reborn
On 10 September 1885 Captain J.C. Head and Lieutenant Neate were appointed as The Salvation Army’s new corps officers in Ipswich. The Ipswich Corps still had some of Captain Cairns’ converts which quickly g...
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The birth of Bundamba
Established in 1886 as the Goodna Salvation Army, the ministry was renamed Bundamba Salvation Army in 1889. Bundamba Salvation Army had a chequered beginning, alternating between capacity crowds on special occasions, to...
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Multicultural focus
From The Salvation Army’s involvement with the Debbing Creek and Purga missions came a number of influential indigenous people. As a child, internationally renowned opera singer Harold Blair was a popular instrume...
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Making Music
Ipswich Salvation Army has a rich musical heritage, laying claim to the first Salvation Army brass band in Queensland. Music has also played an important part in the growth and effective witness of the Bundamba Salvation...
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Riverview Farm
In 1894, The Salvation Army set up a home and training farm for boys at Riverview. For a time it also housed a home for girls, and before that was moved to Ryandarra, Yeronga in 1898. These were eventually closed in the...
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Notable Events
General William Booth – the founder of the worldwide Salvation Army – visited Ipswich in 1891 and again in 1895.
A home league (women’s ministry – pictured right) was established in 1912...
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In times of need
It’s often said that The Salvation Army has a ministry of “presence” – of being there in times of need.
When flooding engulfed Ipswich in 2011, then-corps officer, Major Bruce Dobbie (pictured...
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