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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code

Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

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We have a lot of history in Greenville. Image

We have a lot of history in Greenville.

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History in Greenville

The Salvation Army maximizes donations by using 82 cents of every dollar donated to provide direct services to help the most people in need. As a result, we are doing the most good with contributions of money, time, and resources. The Salvation Army of Greenville County officially opened to the public in 1904 and we have been striving to do everything we can for our community ever since.

1904

Our Century of Service began in a tent located at the corner of Brown and Washington Streets. Here, The Salvation Army offered a religious message and good music to all those willing to listen. After years of migrating from location to location, the Army's first permanent home was completed. Mr. C.E. Graham donated the lot the building stood on, which took on the name "Citadel."

1908

The Salvation Army Women's Social Services Department opened the Shelter for Homeless Women and Maternity Home. Mrs. W. G. Sirrine and Mrs. W. W. Burgiss formed the Charity Aid Society.

1917

The Salvation Army assumed operation of the Bruner Home, which was a home for orphaned and abandoned children. The Emma Moss Booth Memorial Hospital was opened and began operating as one of the main city hospitals.

1938

The Salvation Army Red Shield Boys Club was formed with the aid of Mr. P.D. Meadors, a local candy manufacturer. The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club (formerly The Salvation Army Red Shield Boys Club) began the Community Camping Program, which offered a healthy outdoor experience in a summer camp setting.

1950

The Salvation Army broke ground for the new "Citadel" on Rutherford Street.

1969

The Boys & Girls Club operation moved to a new facility on Owens Street.

1984

The Salvation Army-operated, overnight homeless shelter underwent re-establishment to meet the needs of the growing homeless population.

1994

The Salvation Army Service Unit in Seneca (Oconee County) and The Salvation Army Service unit in Easley (Pickens County) were both dedicated as a full-fledged Corps operations. The Mary C. Davidson Dining Building opened on the Rutherford Street property. A new lodging facility for men was completed, and the Women's Shelter was renovated to better meet the needs of the residents. A new Family Store and warehouse were completed on Rutherford Street (1994-2003).

2005

The Greenville, SC Corps received preliminary approval to build an endowed Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, as described in Mrs. Kroc's $1.6 billion bequest to The Salvation Army. And the Greenville Community generously gave over $15 million to the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center.

2008

The Family Stores and Boys & Girls Club Smart Centers saw growth prior to the economic downturn. A new position of Kroc Administrator was added to the Greenville, SC, Salvation Army.

2009

The Pickens County location transitioned into a Service Center.

2011

The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center officially opened on October 17, 2011, on 20 acres in Downtown Greenville.

2012

In June, the three counties of Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee were combined as an Area Command under the leadership of Majors Kent and Melody Davis.

2014

The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of Greenville began in 2014. The Women’s Auxiliary functions as a fundraising and volunteer service group that seeks to support The Salvation Army in its mission of spiritual redemption and social rehabilitation of those it serves.

2015

The Salvation Army celebrates 150 years of service since the organization began in London, England, by General William Booth. Today, The Salvation Army serves in over 120 countries and is an international leader in emergency assistance, disaster relief and the fight against human trafficking.

2017

The Salvation Army Area Command opened new administrative offices at 501 Rutherford Street. The Rutherford Street Family Store also received extensive renovations thanks to the Flour Corporation and celebrated its Grand Reopening on March 30.

2018

The Oconee County location transitioned into a Service Center after the retirement of Majors Grady and Shelly Pearson.