Texas Beginnings

The Salvation Army in Texas was started by an Italian Naval Captain named Adam Janelli. Janelli met The Salvation Army while on a trip to Calcutta, India. There he attended one of the meetings and was so touched by the message that he became of one the most unassuming Salvation Army personalities Texas and the United States has ever known.

In 1888, Janelli came to America and settled in Dallas, TX. One day, the rough citizens of the then frontier town, Dallas, were startled out of their composure when Janelli, wearing his Salvation Army uniform, took up a position on a downtown street corner and began preaching. Every time he preached was a great success. People were finding Christ. Eager to get The Salvation Army in Texas, Janelli would write letters to General William Booth, in London, asking that officers be sent to Texas. His letter barrage got so thick that the official word was given and The Salvation Army of Texas opened in 1889.

Janelli gave both material and spiritual help to the poor and homeless and to the people of Dallas, he became known as “Mr. Salvation Army.” The people of Dallas could not recall a time that they did not see Janelli in his uniform. Many people doubted that he had any other clothes in is possession.

Today, The Salvation Army in Texas is thriving through the support of people like you. Currently, in Texas, we have more than 155 Officers, all of whom are ordained ministers, more than 1,600 employees and thousands of volunteers all committed to furthering the mission of The Salvation Army and helping those in need in Jesus' name.