Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command

The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham Area Command is a unit of the Salvation Army, a Christian denomination and charity mission which is structured along military lines. Its mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus and to meet human needs indiscriminately. The worldwide Salvation Army movement was founded in 1865 in London by a one-time Methodist minister, William Booth. The Birmingham command was established in 1899 and became part of the Salvation Army's USA Southern Territory when it was established in 1927.

In the early 1900s the group operated a Salvation Army Rescue Home at 33rd Street and Avenue E.

The Birmingham Area Command is the largest social service agency in Central Alabama, serving over 100,000 residents each year. It has its offices and Social Services Center at 2100 11th Avenue North near the BJCC. A second Youth Services center is located at 6001 Crestwood Boulevard. Previously, the organization had offices in the Pilgrim Congregational Hall on 19th Street North.

In addition to continuing services to the homeless the Salvation Army provides education and life skills program to at-risk individuals, distributes gifts to needy children at Christmas, sponsors community programs, and responds to disasters with trained volunteer support workers. The organization raises funds through several programs, the best known of which are the "red kettle" bell ringer posted outside stores during the holiday season. The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program solicits donations of toys and other gifts for specific children.

Commanders

• Luther Smith, 1971–1979
• C. Mark and Susan Brown, –June 2008
• Todd and Christine Smith, June 2008–

Corps

Three churches, known as Corps, are supported by the Command:

• Salvation Army Alabaster Corps, 108 Plaza Circle
• Salvation Army Bessemer Corps, 525 13th Street Bessemer
• Salvation Army Birmingham 614 Corps, 2410 8th Avenue North

External link

• Birmingham Salvation Army website

References

• Garrison, Greg (August 2, 2008) "Salvation Army leaders are 9/11 vets." Birmingham News