Salvation Army-Lowerside of LHE
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Reprinted from the War Cry, April 14, 1932, page 14
Thriving Youngster
Divisional Specials Visit New Opening at Little Heart’s Ease, also Britannia, Hickman’s Harbor and Clarenville
Brigadier Burton, accompanied by Staff-Captain Cornick, has just concluded visits to Little Heart’s Ease, Hickman’s Harbor, Britannia and Clarenville Corps, and reports a splendid move in the Corps visited.
Arriving at Northern Bight station in the midnight hours, the campaigners were met by four stalwart comrades of Little Heart’s Ease who piloted them on to their Corps. A journey of three miles was undertaken on foot over a road almost impassable owing to the great fall of snow. No sooner had the party stated than rain began to pour and the wind increased to a gale, but after two hours’ walking they reached a little village, Queen’s Cove, where a motor boat was in readiness to carry them to their destination. It looked to be a rather hopeless situation, but when the tourists indicated their willingness to proceed they were soon on the way. The greatest danger that confronted the little boat was the presence of floating sheets of ice which necessitated skilful navigation, but port was safely made.
The Army opened fire in Little Heart’s Ease last September, and under the leadership of Ensign Goulding and Lieutenant Crocker, good progress has been made. A splendid little Hall has been built, with a seating capacity for 175 persons. At night it was packed to its utmost capacity. The Divisional Commander enrolled eight Recruits and officially opened the Corps. When the testimony meeting started, about thirty people stood to testify to God’s power in their lives. The Spirit of God was mightily in evidence, and thirteen seekers were registered at the Mercy-seat, mostly young people.
The possibilities are good for a real live Corps at Little Heart’s Ease, which now has a total of twenty Soldiers enrolled since last September. The Ensign has also opened a day school, and has approximately twenty pupils attending daily.
One cannot but admire the spirit of those brave brothers who, the next morning, launched their little boat over the ice to the open waters, and carried the party to Hickman’s Harbor. Captain Rose, the Officer in charge, met the party, and after lunch a horse and sleigh were secured and the visitors proceeded to Britannia for the night meeting. A splendid congregation greed the Divisional specials, and a good meeting took place.
Back again to Hickman’s Harbor the same night, as there was signs of approaching bad weather. Here the Divisional Commander enrolled eleven Junior Soldiers. One could not but admire those boys and girls as they stood to testify, when each of them repeated some verse of a song which comprised their testimony. Captain Rose and her sisters, Bertha, who is the day school teach and also assistant to the Captain, have done fine work during the past few months, especially among the Young People.
Owing to there being no way to get to Clarenville the next day, a second night was spent at Hickman’s Harbor. A public Salvation meeting was conducted and two seekers found the Saviour. On Saturday morning the twelve miles to Clarenville was covered by motor boat, but the party arrived too late to catch the train for Chance Cove where they were booked to spend the Sunday. But “It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.” The Chance Cove comrades were disappointed, but Clarenville Corps where Captain and Mrs. Batten are stationed, received the benefit. On the Saturday night one seeker sought Jesus.
Sunday meetings proved of much effect. At night the Hall was filled to its utmost capacity, and eight seekers found the Saviour.
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Reprinted from the Clarenville Packet, May 23, 1968
A Divine Service was held in The Salvation Citadel Little Hearts Ease for the School children on Sunday morning May 5th. A special address was given the children by Colonel Ross and in the afternoon the 36th Anniversary of The Salvation Army was observed by a Citizens Rally being held. A very large congregation attended. The Citadel was filled to capacity, present for the occasion were provincial Commander Colonel Ross, accompanied by Mrs. Ross, Brigadier and Mrs. Hickman. They supported the Commander together with Brigadier and Mrs. Russell. Also present for the Service were Reverend Mr. and Mrs. Boutcher Anglican Minister of Random Mission. Rev. Boutcher read the Scripture and Mr. Parsons United Minister of Little Heart’s Ease Charge. During the Service a duet was sung by Brigadier Russell and his daughter Catherine which was enjoyed by the Congregation. A message of greeting sent to them by Mr. Sam Drover of Hodge’s Cove was read by Brigadier Hickman. Mr. Drover received an invitation but owing to unforeseen circumstances could not attend the Service.
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Reprinted from the book OUT OF OUR HEARTS Churches of Newfoundland and Labrador; Published on the 180th Anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador District of the Canadian Bible Society 1992 by Good News Publications, Inc., St. John’s NL; Edited by Gerald E. Benson
The Salvation Army Citadel, Little Heart’s Ease
The Salvation Army in Little Heart’s Ease was begun in 1931 by Staff-Captain Cornick and Brigadier Burton. The first Salvation Army Citadel was started sometime that year, with the first service held in the building in July 1931. Since the church was not completed, there were no shingles on the roof to keep the people from getting wet. Mr. James Spurrell of Little Heart’s Ease took the sail from his schooner and placed it on the roof to keep everyone dry. At this first meeting the officer at Hickman’s Harbour on Random Island came by boat, bringing with him the drums from his corps.
The official opening of the building was held in March of 1932, with the officers in charge Ensign Goulding and Jessie Crocker. In the early days of the Salvation Army in this community the people came around six o’clock on Sunday evening, or earlier, in order to get a seat. In many services, people had to stand if they came later. People came to the services any way they could get; in summer by boat, in winter they would walk across the ice, they came however they could travel. In the early days, three services were held on Sunday: morning, afternoon and night. On Sunday afternoon people would be waiting for Sunday School to be over in order to go to the afternoon service. As one soldier put it, they used to have a Hallelujah time in those days. The oldest soldier living in the corps is Aunt Victoria Spurrell. She was one of the first soldiers to be enrolled in Little Heart’s Ease. There have been many Salvation Army officers appointed to Little Heart’s Ease over the years. In May, 1992, the Salvation Army of Little Heart’s Ease celebrated to 61st anniversary.
There have been three Salvation Army church buildings here since 1931, with the present one being opened in June 1988. The Army covers the surrounding area from North West Brook on the Trans Canada Highway to Southport, with Salvation Army families in many of these communities. The Salvation Army has approximately eighty-five families, with the most residing in the community of Little Heart’s Ease. The Lord has been blessing the Salvation Army and the people of Little Heart’s Ease over the years, and we are confident He will continue to bless in the future.
Captain Bond Jennings
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List of Officers:
Ensign Goulding and Lieutenant Crocker, 1932
Lieutenant May Guy, 1933
Captain Lizzie Butt, 1936
Captain Bessie Buffet, 1937
Captain and Mrs. George Hickman, 1938
Captain Harvey and Selina Legge
Major R. G. Abbott, 1944
Bill and Margaret Sturge
Major M. Abbott and Captain M. Mowland, September 1944
Captain and Mrs. Pretty, 1948
Major and Mrs. E. Batten, 1950
Major Olive Peach, June 7, 1958
Alphaeus Russell, 1965
Leamon and Sadie Eveleigh, 1973
Lieutenant Edwin Mayo, 1978
Lieutenant Janice Matthews and Lieutenant Velma Pilgrim, 1981
Lieutenant and Mrs. Bruce Rideout, 1985
Major Linda Calloway
Lieutenant Carson Decker, 1998
Lieutenant Phyllis Blundell, 1999
Cpt Sherry George, 2001
Cpt Lana Janes, 2003
Sergeant Major Annie Drodge, 2010
Major Lillian Pelley
Peter and Hannah Chaulk. 2021
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Transcribed by Wanda Garrett. Page updated May 2025
These transcriptions may contain human errors. As always, confirm these as you would any other source material.