Dallas Temple Corps celebrates 126 years of service

After 126 years of faithful ministry and several uncertain years of transition, the Dallas Temple Corps family gathered on Sunday, June 17, for the last worship service as the Dallas Temple Irving Corps (DTI).

During the service, memories of the corps were shared by former soldiers and officers, and the Dallas Temple flag was officially retired.

As of June 24, the Irving Corps continued its ministry under the leadership of newly commissioned Lieutenants Armando and Mayela Acosta, and a new corps was opened in Lewisville with Majors Paul and Deanna Gilliam appointed as corps officers.

The Salvation Army DFW Area Command made its decision to open the new corps in Lewisville, a northern suburb, as many soldiers who had been attending the DTI Corps lived in the North Dallas area.

Additionally, the Lewisville Service Center, under the leadership of Director Stephen Thomas, operates a robust social services program that includes a daily feeding program, Clothes Closet, an EDS team, community garden and partnerships with many area churches.

In 1986, Dallas Temple Corps, the long-time flagship corps of the Texas Division, moved from Ervay Street in downtown Dallas and was annexed to the Texas Divisional Headquarters, then located near Harry Hines Boulevard and Mockingbird Lane.

The corps enjoyed wonderful years of worship and service at the DHQ location, supported by faithful soldiers and officers including Bandmaster Jack and Lou Morrison, Lt. Colonels Orville and Bette Salmon, CSM Steve Knapp, Songster Leaders Bob Holz, Stephen Burn and Nick Simmons-Smith (current territorial music & arts secretary), and Major Billie Jean DeArman, an Order of the Founder recipient.

In 2016, DHQ moved to a new office building, requiring the Dallas Temple Corps to find a new location. A merge with the Irving Corps resulted in the temporary establishment of the DTI Corps.

At that time, DTI Corps programs continued under the leadership of Majors Stan and Debi Carr and Captain Shelley Hood. Always a strong musical corps, the DTI Senior Band and Songsters continued the tradition of music-making, while the Corps Cadets and youth group flourished under the leadership of Casey and Karen Bilbrey.