History

The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization whose work began 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 the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute. 

The “Army” arrived in Canada in 1882. Ottawa Citadel, then referred to as Ottawa No. 1 Corps, the 109th Salvation Army Corps in Canada, was officially opened March 22, 1885. Local newspapers indicate it was ‘a bitterly cold day when The Salvation Army came to town, but bad weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of nine stalwarts who arrived as the Army’s advance guard. Waving tambourines and singing as they marched to the Opera House’. With that first historic meeting, Major Cooper and his ‘Hallelujah Lasses’ set in motion Salvation Army service in Ottawa. The early meetings were popular with the citizens of Ottawa, with their songs set to popular tunes and lots of talk of salvation.

Captain Ada Hind was appointed as the Corps’ first Commanding Officer (Minister/Pastor).  As was common in those days, she only served in this capacity until May 10, 1885, being succeeded by Captain Isabella Hall, on May 11, 1885, who in turn was succeeded by Captain Annie Totten on December 3, 1885.   By 1911 Ottawa No. 1 Corps welcomed its 63rd Commanding Officer. Our current Officer Pastors, Major Gerald and Major Robin Cory, are the 108th to be assigned to lead the Corps.

Ottawa Citadel, a Church of the Salvation Army, continues to serve the community offering spiritual and practical help to those in need and a friendly and welcoming place of worship, fellowship and belonging for all.  

Officer (Ensign John Slater) and Corps members outside the Number 1 Corps building, 1901.
A band poses for a photo
Back Row: William (Bill). Smith, T. Fellowes, J. Ferguson, W. Edwrads, G. Helman, A. Nicholson, Richard Turner, Harry Brooks Between Left Side: W. Rogers Seated 2nd Row: F. Church, P. Fitzpatrick, G. Cole, BM J. Harris, Ens & Mrs Thomas Burton, Lt Dayton, J. Joad, C.Thomas, E Maguire Front: Johnson, George Bowman
Group of singers pose for a photo
Male Voice Party 1928 Back Row: J Townsend, Gapp Hump, John Nixon, E. Falle (?), Fred Finch, John Morris, Richard Turner Front Row: T. Douglas, CO Ensign Ernest Falle, Elsie Mae Byford (Linklater) Pianist, T. Fry, Leader, Band Master James Harris
Group of singers in uniform pose for a photo
Ottawa Citadel Songsters 1988 BR: Mundan Braye, David Conibear, Peter van Gulik, John van Gulik, Doug Burden, Cyril Fry, Albert Verhey, Ted Venables, Ian Boulton, Mel Weatherall CR: Judy McIntosh, Carol Ferguson, Barb Verhey, Joyce Fry, Ann Venables, Cathy Verhey, Donna Boulton, Joanne van Gulik, Dave Perry FR: Mildred Conibear, Linda Weatherall, Marg Peppy, Veanna Verhey, Capt Bev Ivany, SL Jim Ferguson, Capt David Ivany, Bev Munroe, Beryl Braye, Donna van Gulik, Arlene van Gulik
Group of musicians in Ottawa Citadel sanctuary
Ottawa Citadel Band 1988 – Bandmaster Doug Burden front centre (Original Sanctuary Layout) BR: Ian Boulton, Albert Verhey, Mundan Brate, Archie Smith Mid R: Martyn Hodgson, Karen Braye, Ralph Verhey, Cyril Fry, Len Waterman, Scott van Gulik, X. Brian Venables, Steven Verhey, John van Gulik Jr, Len Ferguson, John van Gulik Sr. . FR: Allan Weatherall, Dave Perry, Ted Venables, Jim Ferguson, Peter van Gulik, Mark van Gulik Arlene van Gulik, Donna Boulton, Donna van Gulik
Musicians with brass instruments pose in the sanctuary
Back Row: Sean van Gulik, Owen Parker, Linda Colwell, Sony Destrat, Geoff Linklater, Scott van Gilik, Matt van Gulik, Albert Verhey, Jason Lind, Richard Simard, Reg Parsons Front Row: Brent Ferguson, Martyn Hodgson, Derek McKinnon, David Perry, Stewart Walter, Thoussaint Ndombele, Judy McIntosh, Thomas Argent, Jorden McDormand, Kathelene Hodgson, Erica van Gulik, Jim Ferguson, Donna van Gulik. Corps Officer: Captain Robert (Bob) Macdonald, Bandmaster Peter van Gulik
Signers in uniform pose for a group photo.
Back Row: Methode Muzinga, Peter van Gulik, Fernando Gomez, Ray Moulton, Jim Ferguson, Cyril Fry, Albert Verhey, Sean van Gulik, Scott van Gulik, Jorden McDormand Centre: Gay Pratt, Guerline Panier, Linda Weaherall, Joyce Fry, Esther McTier, Linda Colwell, Lorna Simard Front : Judy McIntosh, Donna van Gulik, Marlene Hope, Capt Bob Macdonald, Trinette Goddard, Mildred Conibear, Erica van Gulik, Pianist Laurie Hamilton, Songster Leader Geoff Linklater
A group of officers pose for a photo with a snowball mascot.
Winter Weekend 2019: Guests Lieutenant Colonels Brian and Lynn Armstrong, CSM Linda Colwell COs Captains Graciela and Jeff Arkell…and Splatt (Snowball Mascot) The Armstrongs were appointed Ontario Divisional Leaders in 2024
A group of people burn a piece of paper.
Burning the Mortgage Slater Street New Year’s Eve 1961-1962 L-R: Divisional Commanders Brigadier and Mrs W. Ross, Flag Sergeant Mel Weatherall, Corps Treasurer R. Smith and COs Captains Marjory and John Ham
A group of people burn a piece of paper.
Burning the Mortgage Ottawa Citadel 2005 CSM Linda Colwell, Divisional Commander Major Ken Bonnar, Mel Weatherall and CO Major Kathryn Trim. This mortgage covered the major construction executed in 1999-2000 which included reorienting the sanctuary which included replacing pews with stacking chairs. Other improvements included dividing the fellowship hall with movable walls to create three rooms and the option for one big room, squaring off the building to create a new entrance and establish the current offices, the band and songster room and a space for YP musical forces.