Salvation Army

The corps in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, is located within the Western Pennsylvania Division.

Mrs. Raymond W. Simpson, captain at the Connellsville Salvation Army Citadel, is chairman of the committee in charge of the coming community dinner, proceeds to aid migrant workers in Pennsylvania.

The community event, to be known as a “migrant meal,” is sponsored by the National United Council of Churchwomen and locally is sponsored by the Connellsville Chapter.

The dinner, to be a covered-dish meal, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 11, in the First Methodist church. A freewill offering will be received, to be used for the health, education and welfare work among the Pennsylvania migrants.

There will be a supplementary program to be given in detail at a later date.

Church groups throughout the country are having these migrant dinners during the harvest season. Inaugurated this year, the proceeds will support a program to aid men and their families who “take to the road to harvest crops.”

Mrs. Simpson's aides for the dinner will be Mrs. Charles Peyton, president of the Connellsville Chapter of the United council of Churchwomen; Mrs. Earle Stoner, co-chairman; Mrs. Orville K. Mellquist; Mrs. Earl Henderson; Mrs. John Carpenter; Mrs. Allison R. Marshall; Mrs. Homer E. Coughenour; Mrs. Lewis p. Keslar; Mrs. J.J. Evans and Mrs. Charles Weyant

The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennyslvania), August 17, 1961

An overall picture of Salvation Army work was presented Rotarians Monday evening in the YMCA.

Capt. Raymond Simpson, a Rotarian and Salvation Army commander in Connellsville spoke on work of the organization, especially in the Scottdale area and told how the contributions of used furniture and clothing and food given by local residents helps the needy.

The Salvation Army works closely with churches but gives no aid to people on relief. He outlined the different services offered by the “Army” concentrating on the distribution of food and toys at Christmas to the less fortunate.

Edwin Keister, program chairman, presented the speaker. Robert Ferguson, president, reports the local club won the attendance contest for the second consecutive year at the tri-club meeting with Mount Pleasant and Connellsville Rotarians Nov. 2 in the Pleasant Valley Country Club with its 66 per cent attendance.

Plans for the Christmas party were made by that committee headed by Tracy M. Endersbe, chairman. It will be held Monday, Dec. 18, in the Westmoreland County children's Home, Greensburg. Dinner will be served there and the children will present a program. Additional plans will be announced later.

Stahl Shallenberger gave the invocation. Royden Loucks will present the Nov. 20 program.

The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania), November 16, 1961

The Connellsville Ministerial Assn. will sponsor two union Thanksgiving services.

The first will be at 7:30 p.m. today in the First Christian Church, South Pittsburg St. The Rev. Thomas Rowett, pastor of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Porter Ave., will speak. There will be special music by the host choir. The Rev. George D. Massay is host pastor.

The second service will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, Lincoln Ave at Race St. The Rev. E. I. Mankamyer is pastor. Capt. Raymond Simpson of the Salvation Army will speak, and the church coir will provide special music.

“These are community-wide services, and a hearty welcome is extended to the people of Connellsville to attend,” as association spokesman said.

The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania), November 22, 1961

Mayor John W. Collins signs a proclamation (above¹⁾) designating May 20-27 as Salvation Army Week in Connellsville as Captain Raymond W. Simpson, in charge of the Connellsville Citadel, serves as a witness.

Citing the organization's 75 years of service here and the forthcoming Centennial of its founding in England in 1865, Mayor Collins called upon the people to express their gratitude during this time. Capt. Simpson said a series of special events have been arranged for the observance.

The proclamation follows:

“WHEREAS, The high spiritual and humanitarian principles of the Salvation Army have brought renewed hope and faith to peoples of the world for nearly a century and to Americans for the past 82 years, and

“WHEREAS, The Salvation Army, through its welfare and religious institutions in our city and throughout the country, extends hands of mercy to all people in need, regardless of race or creed.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, John W. Collins, Mayor of Connellsville, do hereby proclaim the period of May 20 through May 27 as Salvation Army Week in Connelsville and do urge all citizens to give their full cooperation to this effort to focus attention on the work of the Salvation Army in the United States. The Salvation Army ministers to both spiritual and [illegible] our tribute to this great organization during Salvation Army Week is well earned and greatly merited.”

The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania), May 22, 1962

Herman Welsh, commander of Milton L. Bishop Post No. 301 of the American Legion of Connellsville, urges all citizens of Connellsville and vicinity to display the American Flag Memorial Day.

“This is one of the most important holidays on the calendar in which we commemorate the deceased. Memorial Day should be a day of reverence and not just another day when we can escape from our regular day of work,” he said.

“The various cemeteries in Connellsville and vicinity have been the scene of much activity during the past week. The grass has been mowed and the graves decorated with flowers. In addition over 1,800 new American Flags have been placed on the graves of the veterans. Also the graves of the veterans have been marked with markers designating the various wars in which the veterans participated.

“The American Legion in cooperation with Walter E. Brown Post 21, Veterans of Foreign Wars, present the annual Memorial Day observance here with a parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. and a program at the War Memorial at the conclusion of the parade. Captain Raymond W. Simpson, commander of the Salvation Army will deliver the principal address.”

The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pennsylvania), May 29, 1962

• Private collection of Andrew Peters