Our history

The Salvation Army has a long and significant history of serving the people of Western Sydney.

Beginning with John Gore’s establishment of operations in Australia in 1880. A testament to the passion and dedication of those early Salvationists, just four years later — in 1884 — The Salvation Army opened its work and secured its first building in Penrith.

After a century of work, there were six centres for the Salvation Army's work across Western Sydney.

In 2019, a significant decision was made by Salvation Army leadership to consolidate the work of the Salvation Army in all of Penrith LGA, (including St Marys), and the 12 Suburbs of 2770, that lie In Blacktown LGA, under a new unified leadership model and to rename this work as Greater West Salvos. We continue to build on the legacy of the past and are thankful to all those who have been a part of the leadership in this space. We currently serve the area through two sites, one at St Marys and the other in Lethbridge Park. In the future, we will increase our work to effectively meet and support the needs of this community.