William and Catherine Booth

William Booth

The Salvation Army co-founder, William Booth, was born in Nottingham, England, on 10 April 1829. From his earliest years, William was no stranger to poverty. He was just 14 when his father died and was already working as a pawnbroker’s apprentice to supplement the family’s income.

As a pawnbroker, William saw poverty and suffering on a daily basis. By the time he finished his six-year apprenticeship, he had developed a deep hatred of it.

William, a fiery and impulsive teenager, became a Christian at 15 and began attending the local Wesleyan Chapel. There, he developed the passion that would be the driving force in his life — to reach the down and out of Britain's cities through the Gospel of Christ.

A talented preacher from a young age, William went on to work as a travelling evangelist with the Methodist church. But it was through preaching in the streets of London's slums that he discovered his life's purpose, and The Salvation Army was born.

Catherine Booth

The Salvation Army ‘mother’, Catherine Mumford, was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, on 17 January 1829.

From an early age, she was a serious and sensitive girl with a strong Christian upbringing. By the age of 12, she had read the Bible through eight times.

At 14, Catherine became ill and spent a great deal of time in bed. She kept herself busy, especially concerned about the problems of alcohol. She wrote articles for a magazine, encouraging people not to drink.

But at 16, she came wholly into her faith. Reading the words, “My God I am Thine, what a comfort Divine” in her hymn book, she realised the truth of them for herself.

A gentle woman with powerful appeal, Catherine would go on to co-found The Salvation Army and prove an inspiration to women in a harsh time.

Life together

Catherine and William met when he came to preach at her church. They soon fell in love and became engaged. During their three-year engagement, William continued his work as a travelling evangelist. Catherine was a constant support to William, writing him letters of encouragement on his travels.

They married on 16 June 1855

Together, William and Catherine embarked on a lifelong journey to answer the call of God to bring the Gospel to the people. While William was a natural speaker, Catherine was a quiet woman and not at all accustomed to speaking at gatherings. It took time for her to find her voice, but she was driven by a conviction that women had the same rights as men to speak. She grew into a courageous speaker, known for her gentle manner but powerful appeal, counselling alcoholics in their homes and holding cottage meetings for new faithfuls.

They were also parents to eight children, who were brought up with a firm Christian education and a great love for God’s mission. Two of their children, Bramwell and Evangeline, would go on to be Generals of The Salvation Army.

In 1865, William, by now an independent evangelist, along with Catherine, founded The Christian Mission. William preached to the poor while Catherine spoke to the wealthy to gain support for their financially demanding work. In time, she began to hold her own fundraising campaigns.

It was not until 1878 that The Christian Mission became known as The Salvation Army. Modelled after the military, with William and his fellow ministers a part of God’s Army, they sought salvation for the masses. William was appointed the first General and his ministers became ‘officers’.

Catherine became known as ‘The Army Mother’ and remained a strong voice on The Salvation Army’s ideas on social issues and matters of belief. Both Catherine and William worked tirelessly to bring the Gospel to all, establishing a movement in the form of The Salvation Army.

With its strong focus on the downtrodden and dispossessed, The Salvation Army began to grow beyond Britain’s borders. In William’s lifetime, the Army would be established in 58 countries and colonies.

Catherine is promoted to Glory

On 4 October 1890, Catherine lost her ongoing battle with ill health and was — in Salvation Army terms — promoted to Glory. Her son, Bramwell, described her passing as “a warrior laid down her sword to receive her crown.”

Only weeks after her passing, William released his book, In Darkest England and the Way Out. The dedication reads, “To the memory of the companion, counsellor, and comrade of nearly 40 years. The sharer of my every ambition for the welfare of mankind, my loving, faithful, and devoted wife this book is dedicated.”

In Darkest England and the Way Out mapped out a revolutionary approach to social engagement never before undertaken by a church. It had a strong impact on the mission of the early Salvation Army — and it still guides the Army today.

William is promoted to Glory

For more than 20 years, William continued without his beloved companion, traveling all over the world to oversee and encourage his growing Army.

On 20 August 1912, William Booth was promoted to Glory and it is reported that 40,000 people attended his funeral.

William’s son Bramwell was then appointed General

Though passed, both William and Catherine continue to be guiding influences in The Salvation Army and stand as the mightiest examples of how God uses the ordinary to create the extraordinary.