The Salvation Army Times Square History

The "Glory Shop" of 1935 with its loudspeaker system was devised by then Lt. Lyell Rader, the officer at the microphone, who was  commander of the Times Square Corps on West 48th Street. (top middle image)

Brigadier Joseph Inman, a pioneer British officer in his twenties, opened The Times Square Corps in 1883 as New York No. 3.  The mission was one and the same with the Men’s Training Garrison, the first training school for men in the territory.  It was located on 7 th Avenue and 34 th Street, to the West of what is currently Macy’s.  Through the years the mid-town Manhattan and  Broadway expression of The Salvation Army has had its ups and downs.  It has always been and perhaps will always be a mission, strong in the need for evangelistic outreach and social services to a variety of needs unique to the area

In the 20’s Rheba Crawford begged to be  allowed to reopen the work in this area.  She was young, attractive, talented, and committed to communicating the gospel to the people who thronged Broadway and Times Square.  Lieutenant Crawford began to draw huge crowds and much public attention with her midnight open airs and stylized appeal.  Damon Runyon immortalized her and her work in his short story, “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown,” a thinly disguised reference to her street savvy character and mission.  This story became the basis for the famous “Guys and Dolls” musical.  

In the 30’s Lieutenant Lyell Rader, (father of General Paul Rader,) was assigned to the work in Times Square and The Glory Shop days were born.  He created a portable platform with loud speakers to enhance the open air/street ministry, and christened it the “Glory Wagon.”  The indoor meeting room was called the “Glory Shop.”  Recalling the days of Moses when the Glory of the Lord filled the temple, this was a plea that sinners should be converted and find the glory of the Lord in their souls.  The business of this ministry was all about the glory of the Lord.  Through the years the Times Square Glory Shop was never far from Colonel Rader’s heart.  In prayer support, evangelistic campaigns, and love of the people assigned and attending there, he remained a presence.

When the corps moved in the 40’s to its location on 49 th Street, Lieutenant George Nelting took the advice of his friend Lyell Rader and installed glass doors to the street and a loudspeaker system above them.  Now even the indoor meeting communicated to those passing by. These “Glory Days” were filled with a succession of wonderful officers and soldiers, who worked hard in difficult though exciting times.  

As the neighborhood changed, a schedule of daily street meetings continued.  Efforts were made in many ways to reach out to the children and families of the neighboring Hell’s Kitchen area.  The building was becoming older and in need of major work when it was purchased by Rockefeller Center. With that money The Salvation Army acquired the current property on 47 th Street.  Two unusable buildings there were used temporarily and then demolished.  In 1990, the Times Square Corps was closed until further notice.  A difficult decision, but now the time is right for an entirely new vision. The image to the right is our brand new state of the art facility dedicated to worshipping God in the many gifts and talents that attend. Please feel free to worship with us on Sunday morning at 10:30 am.

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The Salvation Army History

The Salvation Army began in 1865 when William Booth, a London minister, gave up the comfort of his pulpit and decided to take his message into the streets where it would reach the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.

His original aim was to send converts to established churches of the day, but soon he realized that the poor did not feel comfortable or welcome in the pews of most of the churches and chapels of Victorian England. Regular churchgoers were appalled when these shabbily dressed, unwashed people came to join them in worship.

Booth decided to found a church especially for them — the East London Christian Mission. The mission grew slowly, but Booth's faith in God remained undiminished.

In May of 1878, Booth summoned his son, Bramwell, and his good friend George Railton to read a proof of the Christian Mission's annual report. At the top it read: THE CHRISTIAN MISSION is A VOLUNTEER ARMY. Bramwell strongly objected to this wording. He was not a volunteer: he was compelled to do God's work. So, in a flash of inspiration, Booth crossed out "Volunteer" and wrote "Salvation". The Salvation Army was born.

By the 1900s, the Army had spread around the world. The Salvation Army soon had officers and soldiers in 36 countries, including the United States of America. This well-organized yet flexible structure inspired a great many much-needed services: women's social work, the first food depot, the first day nursery and the first Salvation Army missionary hospital. During World War II, The Salvation Army operated 3,000 service units for the armed forces, which led to the formation of the USO.
Today, The Salvation Army is stronger and more powerful than ever. Now, in over 106 nations around the world, The Salvation Army continues to work where the need is greatest, guided by faith