Opening Fire

The work of The Salvation Army began in Warwick in 1887, when Captain John Head requested the use of the Warwick Town Hall. The request was handled cautiously by the local council, who concluded that it was probably better to let The Salvation Army have the hall than possibly risk a disturbance with an outdoor meeting – do doubt they had heard about the Army’s antics in other areas, with loud and passionate street meetings that were often disrupted by local larrikins. The Warwick Argus on 5 March 1887 reported that on the imminent arrival of The Salvation Army … the inhabitants of Warwick, who complain of the lack of amusements in the town, will have unlimited amusement provided for them by this organisation. The first meetings were held on Sunday 6 March and within six months there were over 200 members.