Parramatta Corps celebrates 140 years of going from strength to strength
BY LAUREN MARTIN
From its first gatherings beneath an old, wooden railway bridge in 1884 to a city building providing a range of services to meet practical, emotional and spiritual needs in 2024, Parramatta Corps has come a long way.
Members and friends of the corps in Sydney’s Greater West gathered last weekend (21-22 September) to celebrate its 140th anniversary and God’s unwavering faithfulness during its vibrant history.
According to the corps’ history website, the Parramatta Salvation Army began in September 1884 beneath the train bridge at the corner of Church and Argyle Streets amidst fierce opposition and ridicule. Three young men – John Dean, George Walker and Matthew Thompson – led these early meetings, and their enthusiasm raised curiosity and attracted large crowds.
However, within two months, Matthew Thompson was viciously attacked and died days later, aged only 21. The assailants apologised, and no charges were made. The tragedy failed to deter early members, and the fledgling corps’ numbers increased, with many finding Jesus in various places wherever meetings were held until the first citadel was built on George Street in 1919.
A history booklet produced for the anniversary shows how Salvos in Parramatta have been building community connections for God’s kingdom for decades.
In 1934, after having a long association with the Parramatta Gaol, the corps officer, Major Walter Ward, became a regular chaplain at the prison.
Parramatta also has a history of pioneering Salvation Army expressions. In 1920, a horse and sulky were purchased for the corps officers at the time, Adjutant and Mrs Hayman, before they eventually progressed to bicycles.
In 1922, it was reported that Parramatta Corps was holding meetings at Northmead once a month and that additional meetings had begun in Carlingford.
In the 1940s, Sunday schools commenced in Westmead and Rydalmere, and, in the 1950s, a ‘gutter Sunday school’ in Dundas, where lessons were held in the corps bus in inclement weather!
Special anniversary guests
The 140th anniversary celebration began with a Saturday night dinner attended by 170 people.
The special guests were Melbourne Project 614 Corps Officers Majors Brendan and Sandra Nottle, who spoke from their experiences of ministering in an inner-city context.
“Brendan spoke a lot about the roots of The Salvation Army and what we are called to do,” said Corps Officer Major Kylie Collinson. “We are called to serve the marginalised in our community.”
The theme of the weekend was ‘Ordinary People, Extraordinary God’, and stories of God’s great faithfulness in using Parramatta Corps members to further his Kingdom on earth were shared and celebrated.
Corps awards
On Saturday night, the corps awarded four people with awards corresponding to The Salvation Army’s four mission pillars.
Anthony Eden, the corps’ Audiovisual Team Leader, was awarded the Building Healthy Communities award for his work building the corps’ online ministry. This was necessary when COVID-19 hit and Sunday meetings went online, but it has grown into a thriving community!
The head of the corps’ pastoral care team, Dorothy Griffin, was presented with the Caring for People award for the way that she cares for people in the Parramatta Corps community through visits, phone calls, cards, meals and other ways.
The Working for Justice award was presented to Parramatta Moneycare Financial Counsellor Vispi Irani, who works closely with the wider corps, Doorways and ministry teams to provide holistic support to people in need.
And the Faith Pathways award went to Bing Bing Tan who assists with the corps’ English Conversation Classes and runs a Chinese discipleship group.
On Sunday, 180 people gathered for the meeting, including former corps officers and corps members who had returned to Parramatta Corps to attend the celebration.
Major Kylie said there have been many changes over the past few years, with the construction of a new building and the COVID-19 lockdown interruptions, but the corps is healthy and flourishing and moving forward.
“We want to acknowledge the past, but we are so aware that God has positioned us now in a new space for new things to happen, with different ministries and ways to connect with our Parramatta City community.”
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