Divisional Commander Brigadier Rawling officially opened the Woodroffe Corps on
April 15, 1915. The Corps started as the Wellington Street Corps although people
sometimes referred to it as the Ottawa Number 3 Corps. The first building purchased
and used for worship, was an old movie theater known as the “Nickel Theater” located at
127 Stirling Avenue just off Wellington Street.
The Corps first officers were Captain Pace and Lieutenant Kitt. Lieutenant Kitt left soon
after the Corps opened. Lieutenant Ransuff came to assist Captain Pace. Although many
people became friends of the Army, some people remained hostile to it and as a result set
fire to the old theater. While the repairs to the building took place, the Army moved to an
old store on Wellington Street.
Services returned to the old theater upon completion of the repairs. Some time later the
Army moved the services back to the store on Wellington Street. The Army then secured
another building on Wellington Street which Divisional Commander Col. W. Bettridge
officially dedicated on April 13, 1935.
In 1952, the Salvation Army bought a building on Parkdale Avenue. Chief Secretary
Colonel Harewood officially opened the building on February 2, 1952. The Corps then
became known as the Parkdale Citadel Corps.
In the spring of 1969, construction commenced on a new building at the corner of Fox
Crescent and Woodroffe Avenue. While the construction took place, the Army held
morning services at Woodroffe Public School and evening services at Woodroffe United
Church. During the summer months, the Army held evening services outdoors at
Carlingwood Mall (in front of the old Loblaws store). The cost of the building was $250,000.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Wiseman officially opened and dedicated
Woodroffe Community Church.
In 1982, plans were underway for the expansion of Woodroffe Community Church. The Corps had
received $34,366 for the expansion. While construction took place, the Army held
morning services at Woodroffe High School and evening services in the Y.P. Hall in
Woodroffe Community Church. In the summer months, the Army held services at Andrew Haydon
Park. The expansion added the following areas to the Temple: the balcony, multi-purpose
room (first floor), multi-purpose room (second floor), lounge (later dedicated in memory
of Shona Scott-Douglas), small kitchen, washrooms, Y.P.S.M. Office. Lt. Col. and Mrs.
Edwin Brown officially re-opened and dedicated the renovated Temple on October 15,
1983.
The Army made further changes to the Temple in 1988. These changes included: the
expansion of the Corps Office to include the Secretary’s Office, a separate office for the
second officer, the relocation of the Jennifer Clark Memorial Library to the first floor, a
nursery, reconstruction of the Mercy Seat and podium area.
Click here for a list of all the Officers who have served
at Woodroffe/the Salvation Army Community Church Crestway Dr. Barrhaven.
Click here for a list of all the Sergeant-Majors who have
served at Woodroffe/the Salvation Army Community Church Crestway Dr. Barrhaven.
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