Tent City

Manly also became a popular site for Salvation Army gatherings with a large, congress-like camp being held there at a site called Fuller’s Paddock.

During the final weeks of 1897, under the direction of Colonel Estill, the entire area was transformed into a canvas city by The Salvation Army, with a large marquee and numerous refreshment and accommodation tents erected. About 800 people encamped for a three-day weekend, led by Commandant Herbert Booth, who had been appointed in 1896 as the Australasian Commander by his father, General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 3 January 1898 reported: The canvas town comprises one huge meeting tent or marquee, tents for the sake of refreshments and army accessories, guernseys, hymn books, literature, 20 military bell tents lent by Government, 20 others hired out by the army, and yet more privately owned, so that the usually quiet locality has suddenly become the scene of much life and activity.

No doubt the residents of the area may well have been somewhat surprised when their local rugby ground became a hotbed of enthusiastic Salvationism!

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