Early Beginnings
Early associations with the Salvation Army formed in the mid 1940’s through the established Corps at Carbonear. The earliest services took place in the Orange Lodge, which was packed to capacity. Chairs had to be brought to the building from the house of Aunt Susie Turner to ensure that all could be seated.
In the beginning, services were conducted by locals. Mr. Stephen Johnson, Mr. Elisha Knapman, and Mr. George Wheeler, were among those who provided leadership at this time. These three, together with Mr. Edward Fagner, were the first soldiers of the Corps and were enrolled at Carbonear on July 30th.,1945, by Brigadier C. Barnes.
The first service in the Lower Island Cove Citadel was conducted by Mr. Stephen Johnson. His text was taken from Proverbs 13:12.
The first officer, Major Abram Pritchett, arrived in August 1946. The citadel officially opened on November 2, 1946, in a service led by Divisional Commander, Major Wiseman. The land for the school and citadel was donated by Mr. Charles Turner. Free labour saw the completion of both facilities. Classes were held in the citadel until completion of the school, which was officially opened on May 30th., 1948 by Major Brown, housing Grades K-12, within the three classrooms. This school closed its door in 1971.
Residents of Job,s Cove attended Lower Island Cove meetings in the early months. Land was then donated by Mr. Joseph Johnson, and in just under four years, with much perseverance, the people from Job,s Cove now had a building of their own, with the bottom section being used as a school, and the upper story, the Citadel. It was opened by Major Hallett. Before completion, services were conducted in homes, and if the officers were absent, services were conducted by Mr. William R. Johnson or Mr. William Robert Halliday.
First Commissioned Local Officers:
· Mr. George Rogers, Corps Secretary, commissioned May 26,1948
· Mr. Edward Fagner, Corps Sergeant Major, commissioned May 26, 1948
· Mrs. Mildred Johnson, Home League Secretary, commissioned May 26, 1948
· Mr. Kenneth Robbins, Color Sergeant, Commissioned May 26, 1948
· Mr. Josiah Fagner, Drum Sergeant, commissioned June 20, 1948
· Mr. George Wheeler, YP Sergeant Major,commissioned June 20, 1948
· Mrs. Florence Vail, Record Sergeant, commissioned June 20, 1948
· Mrs. Florence Driscoll, Cradle Roll Sergeant, commissioned June 20, 1948
Some Milestones
The first marriage in the Salvation Army was that of Raymond and Lillian Turner, married on Dec. 25, 1945, by Major Churchill and is recorded at Carbonear. The first marriage on the Lower Island Cove register was that of Frank H. Garland and Alma M. Garland, conducted by Captain A. S. Pritchett.
The earliest recorded dedication was that of Ethel Pamela Wheeler, born April 29, 1946 to Simeon and Susie Wheeler. Captain A. S. Pritchett performed the dedication on Aug. 19, 1946.
The first anniversary took place on Nov. 9, 1947. Activities were conducted by Brigadier and Mrs. C.D. Wiseman, assisted by Captain A. Rideout from Divisional Headquarters.
Work on a new citadel began on April 23, 1984, and was officially opened Nov. 10, 1984, by Lieutenant Colonel Albert D. Browning.
The efforts and supervision of Lieutenent Wayne Reid and the free labor of the Corps saw the start of the new quarters on May 12, 1987, and on Dec. 5, just six months later, the officers took up residence.
The new citadel realized an extention which began Oct 15, 1996. Lieutenent colonels Howard and Barbara Moore officiated at the dedication of the extention on Feb. 15, 1997.
In the beginning, services were conducted by locals. Mr. Stephen Johnson, Mr. Elisha Knapman, and Mr. George Wheeler, were among those who provided leadership at this time. These three, together with Mr. Edward Fagner, were the first soldiers of the Corps and were enrolled at Carbonear on July 30th.,1945, by Brigadier C. Barnes.
The first service in the Lower Island Cove Citadel was conducted by Mr. Stephen Johnson. His text was taken from Proverbs 13:12.
The first officer, Major Abram Pritchett, arrived in August 1946. The citadel officially opened on November 2, 1946, in a service led by Divisional Commander, Major Wiseman. The land for the school and citadel was donated by Mr. Charles Turner. Free labour saw the completion of both facilities. Classes were held in the citadel until completion of the school, which was officially opened on May 30th., 1948 by Major Brown, housing Grades K-12, within the three classrooms. This school closed its door in 1971.
Residents of Job,s Cove attended Lower Island Cove meetings in the early months. Land was then donated by Mr. Joseph Johnson, and in just under four years, with much perseverance, the people from Job,s Cove now had a building of their own, with the bottom section being used as a school, and the upper story, the Citadel. It was opened by Major Hallett. Before completion, services were conducted in homes, and if the officers were absent, services were conducted by Mr. William R. Johnson or Mr. William Robert Halliday.
First Commissioned Local Officers:
· Mr. George Rogers, Corps Secretary, commissioned May 26,1948
· Mr. Edward Fagner, Corps Sergeant Major, commissioned May 26, 1948
· Mrs. Mildred Johnson, Home League Secretary, commissioned May 26, 1948
· Mr. Kenneth Robbins, Color Sergeant, Commissioned May 26, 1948
· Mr. Josiah Fagner, Drum Sergeant, commissioned June 20, 1948
· Mr. George Wheeler, YP Sergeant Major,commissioned June 20, 1948
· Mrs. Florence Vail, Record Sergeant, commissioned June 20, 1948
· Mrs. Florence Driscoll, Cradle Roll Sergeant, commissioned June 20, 1948
Some Milestones
The first marriage in the Salvation Army was that of Raymond and Lillian Turner, married on Dec. 25, 1945, by Major Churchill and is recorded at Carbonear. The first marriage on the Lower Island Cove register was that of Frank H. Garland and Alma M. Garland, conducted by Captain A. S. Pritchett.
The earliest recorded dedication was that of Ethel Pamela Wheeler, born April 29, 1946 to Simeon and Susie Wheeler. Captain A. S. Pritchett performed the dedication on Aug. 19, 1946.
The first anniversary took place on Nov. 9, 1947. Activities were conducted by Brigadier and Mrs. C.D. Wiseman, assisted by Captain A. Rideout from Divisional Headquarters.
Work on a new citadel began on April 23, 1984, and was officially opened Nov. 10, 1984, by Lieutenant Colonel Albert D. Browning.
The efforts and supervision of Lieutenent Wayne Reid and the free labor of the Corps saw the start of the new quarters on May 12, 1987, and on Dec. 5, just six months later, the officers took up residence.
The new citadel realized an extention which began Oct 15, 1996. Lieutenent colonels Howard and Barbara Moore officiated at the dedication of the extention on Feb. 15, 1997.
