Salvation Army

The Salvation Army in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was founded on April 2, 1906 and was for a time located on the Klondike. Commissioners Paul and Louise Kaiser were invited back to Lewistown in 1976 for the 70th anniversary of the corps by Captains Schenk. Louise Kaiser is known to have said on that occasion that she loved Lewistown as she felt the mountains reminded her of Switzerland.

When the Klondike building was condemned, Major Raymond Simpson moved the church to its current location at 9 S. Dorcas St. This building was formerly owned by the Lewistown Sentinel and was obtained for $1. Lewistown is located in the PenDel Division.

Salvation Army soldiers, friends, and members of the local advisory board met in the Army's Citadel at Klondike, Thursday evening for a farewell party for Capt. and Mrs. Walter Guldenschuh, who will leave Lewistown next Wednesday to take charge of the Salvation Army work at Pottstown.

Mrs. Robert Manning presided at the informal program before a group which filled the citadel's social hall. Paul Mackneer was at the piano for several special numbers.

The highlight of the affair was the presentation of a silver tea set by Dr. Eleanor M. Aurand, chairman of the local advisory board, and Capt. Robert E. Manning, representing the soldiers and friends of the Salvation Army.

Sgt. Maj. Charles Muldoon spoke for the senior corps and Mrs. Berton Folk on behalf of the junior corps, expressing the appreciation of the local soldiers for their work and associations with Captain and Mrs. Guldenschuh.

J. Martin Stroup, a member of the local Salvation Army advisory board for 28 years, represented the board in saying farewell to the Guldenschuhs, speaking of the Army's century in America and its more than 60 years in Lewistown; of the officers who through the years have upheld the tradition of the Army's motto, “Out of Love We Serve,” in this community.

He said of the Guldenschuhs that they had endeared themselves not only to the soldiers of the Army, but to the entire community because of their consecration and devotion to this ideal, quoting from a pamphlet of the Army: “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

Captain and Mrs. Guldenschuh responded to these words of appreciation and well wishes, expressing their thanks for the gift and their gratitude for the friendship and support of those among whom they worked, as well as for the interest and support of the community at large.

Capt. and Mrs. Barry Willson will take charge of the Lewistown work of the Army. They have been stationed in Cincinnati. They will be welcomed at a reception at the citadel next Thursday evening. All soldiers, members of the advisory board and friends of the Salvation Army in the community may attend.

The Sentinel

• Harry J. “Hank” Hain²⁾

• Private Collection of Andrew Peters