About Us

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Mae Cunningham rode her bicycle from Hutchinson, Kansas to Wichita, Kansas on May 12, 1886. She held the first street meeting in the mud at 116 East Douglas Street. Cowboys yelled at the group as they knelt and prayed. The Wichita Beacon ran an editorial which proclaimed, “The Salvation Army is in Wichita, and Hell is everywhere.”

The early years of The Salvation Army were difficult. During one incident, an entire group at an open air meeting convened by The Salvation Army was arrested and taken to jail for disturbing the peace. Upon being released, the group was joined by Carrie Nation, the famous abolitionist, and they held another meeting in front of the Eaton Hotel on Douglas Street. The arresting officer wanted no part of the 6’2”, 190-pound woman and left The Army alone.

The Wichita Salvation Army 2nd Corps band as it was in 1925. The Salvation Army was noted for allowing women and men to play together in a band

Booth Memorial Hospital, founded in 1927, served thousands of children in Wichita and the surrounding area. It began as a maternity home for young women in need. As society’s needs changed, so did the mission of the Booth Hospital.