Rooted in History, Thriving in Faith
Our history with God provides a roadmap for our faith and growth. It encourages us to embrace the timeless truths of Scripture, draw inspiration from the lives of those who have gone before us, and apply their lessons to our lives today.
Founded on God’s Love
The History of The Salvation Army Meadowlands Church began in 1882 when Captain Jack Addie opened the doors, and Captain & Mrs. Freer were appointed as Pastors. A year later, Major Moore of Brooklyn presented the congregation with a flag of red and blue bearing the words “Blood and Fire, No. 3 Canada”. He said he wished it would be long waved in front of the church. Little did he know what he had started and how long and fruitful the church’s history would become.
The Salvation Army began its work in London, England, in 1865 when William Booth, a minister, abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit and took his message of hope to those experiencing poverty, hunger, and homelessness. By 1867 The Salvation Army had developed into a ministry offering basic schooling, reading rooms, penny banks, soup kitchens, and relief aid to people in need.
A Legacy of Blood & Fire Since 1882
The church was housed in several temporary buildings until 1928, when the land was finally purchased, and a new church building was erected at 28 Rebecca Street in downtown Hamilton. The church spent most of its life at this location, where it saw several renovations and name changes along the way, from ‘Hamilton One’ to ‘Hamilton Citadel’ to ‘Hamilton Temple.’
The church was challenged to keep pace as the city changed and grew over the years. In June 2002, it was decided to relocate to the west side of Hamilton on the edge of Ancaster, hence its name today – Meadowlands.