West Brisbane Salvos step into an exciting new era of faith and service

Celebrating the official naming of The Salvation Army West Brisbane over Easter was West Brisbane Teaching Ministry Leader Aux-Lieut Catherine Philpot (left), Voluntary Team Leader Stephen Cardiff and Area Officer Major Brad Whittle.  

BY LERISSE SMITH

Same heart. Same mission. New season.

At Easter, that vision came to life for Salvos in West Brisbane as they stepped into an exciting new chapter – one shaped by renewal, growth and opportunity – and marked by a new name. 

The Centenary Corps officially became The Salvation Army West Brisbane, signalling renewed energy and an expanding reach for its long-standing faith community.

“It’s an exciting dawn of a new era,” says Stephen Cardiff, West Brisbane Voluntary Team Leader.

The official cake-cutting ceremony – Catherine, Stephen and Brad do the honours.

“We are thrilled to celebrate The Salvation Army West Brisbane Corps and the future ahead. A vibrant, embracing community sharing Jesus’ love by caring for people, creating faith pathways, building healthy communities and working for justice.

“Our prayer is that this would be a place of hope, belonging and love where people encounter Jesus, community is strengthened, and lives are changed. We are on the move, exploring new ways to bring God’s goodness to the western suburbs of Brisbane.”

Celebrations were in full swing as more than 80 locals gathered over the Easter weekend at the Centenary Shopping Centre’s Community Hub to mark the official opening of the new season. Good Friday marked the final Centenary meeting, bringing a symbolic close to one chapter. 

The new corps complex at Centenary Shopping Centre’s Community Hub.

“Today is a new day,” Auxiliary-Lieutenant Catherine Philpot, Volunteer Preaching and Teaching Team member, told the attendees.

“It’s Easter Sunday – a day of hope, new life and resurrection. And today, we also celebrate the birth of The Salvation Army West Brisbane. What a beautiful day to begin a new chapter.”

Early days

The Salvation Army first came to the western suburbs of Brisbane 140 years ago, in a little hall on Sherwood Road in Toowong. It began with a community of faith, and its work in the region expanded to include care for children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. 

As the community grew, the Salvos relocated 36 years ago to the suburb of Centenary, supporting new housing developments and young families moving into the area, becoming Centenary Salvation Army and housed at a Macfarlane St building.

Then came a major turning point.

The building was put up for sale last year. After a special gathering of church members, the community chose to remain united and continue serving locally, with members spread across the north and south sides of the Brisbane River. Worshipping both sides of the river was part of the plan, too. 

Corps members as well as past members and friends were invited to commemorate the ministry of Centenary Salvos over 36 years at Riverhills Hall held on Palm Sunday. 

“We met as a whole church,” says Catherine, who is a former Centenary Corps Officer.

“Through a workshop process, the outcome was that we felt we had a calling to be The Salvation Army. To be this church that meets the needs of people outside the church – the lost, the last and the least. But we also felt a calling to our area.”

With the sale of the building came the opportunity for the church to reposition itself to connect with and meet the needs of the people of the greater western areas of Brisbane. 

“Because we’ve lived in our community for such a long time, we recognise there’s a lot of lost and a lot of last and a lot of least that impacts us all, irrespective of economic status,” she says. 

“And so, things like addiction, domestic violence and mental health problems occur with just as great prevalence in middle-income suburbs. So, we wanted to hold the ground for God and The Salvation Army in this area, so there’s still a voice and a community that can help people who might not feel as comfortable in a traditional church setting. We want to be a church that continues to find pathways for those who are hurting to find healing with God in this region.”

Stephen echoed this sentiment. As a Salvation Army member for nearly 50 years and a leader for over 45 years, Stephen is passionate about being part of a close-knit leadership team committed to sharing God’s love and strengthening communities across Brisbane’s west. 

Exciting future And with flexibility and innovation now shaping its direction, the community is embracing a new way forward.

Services are held on the first and second Sunday at The Community Hub in Mount Ommaney – an ideal shopping centre location with constant foot and vehicle traffic. On the third and fourth Sunday, gatherings move to The Cairns Aged Care Centre in Chapel Hill, focusing on increasing community connection and care where loneliness can be an issue. 

A corps youth program held at the centre also fosters all-age engagement in faith and care. Occasional fifth Sundays are planned for park settings, allowing outdoor community engagement.

Musical presentations by worship team members formed part of the special commemoration of the Centenary Salvos ministry.

“It’s exciting that we have flexibility,” reflects Stephen. “We don’t need to be anywhere, but we can be everywhere. There are many qualities of the community. Even though we’re individuals, we all work really well together and appreciate each other’s talents. We are really good together.”

A defining expression of this mission is seen in ‘Prison Gate’, one of the most impactful ministries in West Brisbane, with plans to extend its reach.

With five prisons in the area, a team of 10 volunteers consisting of the Salvos and local community members meet families of prisoners at the gate each weekend morning for an hour, particularly at the remand centre for those awaiting trial. The ministry has been operating for about seven years. 

Greeting people new to the prison system through support and care is a top priority.

“We meet the families and carry some clothes with us,” Stephen explains. “So, if they don’t have the right clothes to visit their loved ones (due to strict prison regulations), we can help them with some clothes … It’s not a ministry for everybody. Sometimes it’s quite confronting.”

Prison staff have welcomed the ministry’s presence, thanking the Salvos for making their jobs easier and for connecting people with support services through the Salvos team. 

At the Easter community fun event, a generous hamper was gifted by local MP, Milton Dick, to local mum and grandma Coralie – a special blessing that formed part of the celebrations for the West Brisbane corps community.

Behind the concept is a desire to continue spreading the love of Jesus at a time when people can really feel like they're in the dark and alone, Catherine added.

And the impact has been deeply personal.

Catherine recalls: “I had a woman come up to me in tears just saying, ‘I’m so grateful that you’re here. I was feeling so lost. Just scared. I did not want to be here. I didn’t know what to do. And it’s just so nice to see a friendly face, like the Salvos. I can trust you. You can help me.”

West Brisbane is also looking at forging strong partnerships in the community, including local Salvos Stores and the continuation of its annual Christmas carols event, which draws thousands each year.

“We still want to find spaces for people to belong who aren’t of a faith,” Catherine says.

“We want to find ways to meet community needs … It’s about saving souls, growing Saints and serving suffering humanity. Trying to find ways we can make a difference, trying to grow ourselves up to be more like Christ, and trying to find ways to invite people on that journey with us.”