Here stands William Booth, a statue cast in bronze. This is a fibreglass copy of the statue on Denmark Hill. It was erected on April 10th, 1979, a day that marked the 150th birthday of William Booth. The statue commemorates a pivotal moment.
William Booth commenced the work of the Salvation Army here in July 1865. Before us stands a likeness of General Booth during a prayer meeting. He wears his Salvation Army uniform. He raises his arm in preaching. Perhaps he is conducting worship.
Let’s journey back to the 19th century. William Booth was born in Nottingham in 1829. He came to London in 1849. He sought better-paid work. He became a travelling lay preacher for the Methodists. In 1855, he married Catherine Mumford. With her unwavering support, William became an independent revivalist.
Booth initially held outdoor meetings. These took place outside the Blind Beggar pub. Also the Vine Tavern was another spot. The first meeting under cover was in a tent. It was very close by on Mile End Waste on July 2nd, 1865. This marked the start of the Salvation Army. Winter approached and meetings moved inside. They were held in the Assembly Rooms in New Road.
This became the Christian Mission in Whitechapel. The name changed in 1878 to the Salvation Army. This came from the idea of it being a volunteer army. Uniforms and military titles followed. A successful brand was created.
The Salvation Army combined social work. It also had a basic evangelical Christian religion. Catherine, William’s wife, held a powerful position. This was a common thing for women in the organization.
William Booth wasn’t a great administrator. However, his son Bramwell was. He was also a force in the organization. William and Bramwell collaborated with W. T. Stead. They used his publicity skills. This helped with their social reform efforts.
William Booth died at his home in Hadley Wood. Bramwell succeeded him. He became General of the Army.
The William Booth statue is one of a matching pair of monuments. The other is to his wife Catherine. They stand in front of the William Booth Memorial Training College. It is on Champion Park, Denmark Hill. Both figures are shown in Salvation Army uniforms. Catherine Booth wears the famous Salvation Army bonnet. She holds a Bible to her heart. She preaches earnestly.
Look closely at William Booth’s statue. It stands on a grey, unpolished granite pedestal. He has a distinctive profile. It is complemented by his head of thick wavy hair and flowing beard. He looks wiry and energetic. This suggests the strenuous efforts he made in his inspirational career.
The original statues were erected in 1929. This commemorated the centenary of General Booth’s birth. This statue before you had a facelift. When first visited in 2014, William’s statue looked pale. This showed its fibreglass material. In 2017, it was re-bronzed. Now it looks good. Only in the base can you see the underlying whiteness. This is where the bronze covering has been scraped.
William Booth’s legacy lives on. It lives on in the organization he created. It also lives on in statues like this one. May it stand as a symbol of his tireless work. It reminds us of his dedication to helping the poor.