In the East End of London, revivalist preacher William Booth and
his wife Catherine (below) establish the Christian Mission, later
known as the Salvation Army. Determined to wage war against
the evils of poverty and religious indifference with military
efficiency, Booth modeled his Methodist sect after the British
army, labeling uniformed ministers as “officers” and new
members as “recruits.”

In 1878, the organization was renamed the Salvation Army, and
two years later the first U.S. branch opened in Pennsylvania.

Official website salvationarmy.org