EXPLAINED

Salvation Army Acts

IN 1878, the Deed of Constitution officially identified The Christian Mission. It set out 11 permanent ‘professed beliefs’ and stated that it would be ‘under the oversight, direction and control of’ the General Superintendent, who had the authority to appoint their successor.

William Booth refused to include a clause allowing the deed to be altered. As such, no one had the power to change the 1878 constitution without a private act of the UK parliament, although supplements were added to: change the Movement’s name to The Salvation Army in 1880; establish the Army’s social trust in 1891; and clarify on the process of removing and electing a General in 1904.

The closure of Bramwell Booth’s service as General, and the appointment of his successor Edward Higgins during the first High Council in 1929, ultimately led to the passing of several Salvation Army Acts to amend the Army’s operations:

The Salvation Army Act 1931

To provide for the better organisation of The Salvation Army, including the summoning of a High Council to elect each new General.

The Salvation Army Act 1963

To establish a non-contributory pension fund for officers.

The Salvation Army Act 1968

To make provision for the management of trusts connected to the Army.

The Salvation Army Act 1980

To revise and consolidate the Army’s constitution.

Interested in Army history?

Scan the QR code to read about the Army’s constitution or visit the International Heritage Centre blog at salvationarmy.org.uk/ international-heritage-centre-blog