A CELEBRATION to mark a service's 135 years in Barrow will see members old and new reunite.

The Salvation Army in Barrow will mark the landmark occasion at its Abbey Road citadel on Sunday November 27 to thank the loyalty of both its past and present membership.

PICTURE GALLERY: Marking 135 years of the Salvation Army in Barrow

A special service open to the public will be held from 3pm to 4pm, combining music and memories.

Previous leaders and members of the church will be represented and messages of goodwill from all over the UK have already started to arrive since the celebration was launched.

Thanksgiving

"We want to thank the people of the town for their ongoing support over the 135 years," said Lt Martin Davison, leader of the Salvation Army in Barrow.

"Folk are so kind to us and even during very hard times for the area, have trusted us to support those in need.

"We hope to have a really happy day of fellowship and celebration.

"Our band will be augmented with extra players and we will share songs popular in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, when the movement has existed."

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From humble beginnings in 1881, the Salvation Army began its presence in Barrow in temporary rented accommodation, before moving to a more permanent home in Duke Street, close to the current Wilko's store.

The church and social care provider grew rapidly, meeting needs in the community and providing a style of church service which was ground-breaking for the period, mixing traditional Christian hymn words to the music of popular music hall songs of the day.

The Salvation Army moved to its current home in 1910 when the movement made a significant commitment to the town by building the three storey-citadel, which in its day seated up to 1,250 people.

Social support

The Salvation Army is the largest provider of social care after the government, and tries to meet needs in the communities that sometimes go unrecognised.

Lt Martin said: "It is rewarding when we are able to see good outcomes from what at first seem to be very dark situations."

For more information on the event visit the Salvation Army Barrow Facebook page, ring 01229 433550 or email martin.davison@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Weekly services

Across the week, the Salvation Army in Barrow operates the following services:

+ Community café from Monday to Friday

+ 'Sally Tots' on Tuesday and Thursday mornings

+ Lunch club and friendship group every Wednesday

+ Church services on Sunday at 10.30am and 3pm

Five facts about the Salvation Army

1- The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth in London in 1865 as he believed mainstream churches were too middle-class and unable to get Bible messages across to working-class people.

2- There are approximately 54,000 members of the Salvation Army in the UK, including senior and junior soldiers.

3- There are more than 800 church units across Britain.

4- Music is an important feature of the Salvation Army and its first official band was established in 1879.

5- The core principles of the Salvation Army are set out in its 11 articles of faith, including the belief that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.