In the early 1900s, The salvation army famously celebrated the holiday season by serving free, hot Christmas dinners to those in need. Pictured below is one such dinner by the local branch of the organization in Mobile in 1905, presumably at their headquarters at 66 South Water Street. At the time, turkey was an expensive luxury that only the upper classes in America could typically afford; however, the Salvation Army served the meat at their dinners and included it in their gift baskets that they handed out to the poor. The free Christmas meals were started in 1891 by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee in San Francisco. To raise money for meals for the poor, McFee posted a black pot on the street for passersby to contribute a few cents, copying a similar practice that he encountered during his sailor days in Liverpool, England. The tradition continued in the years following and these pots would eventually evolve into the iconic red kettles that appear during the holidays.
The Salvation Army first sent officers to the Port City in March 1887. They preached to the public at the corner of Conception and St. Francis streets.
During Christmastime in 1905, people often set up their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve. They were traditionally decorated with tinsel, lights, crystals and gold ribbon bows.
The first outdoor Christmas tree decorated with electric lights was in the market square in Pietarsaari, Finland in 1905.
Children waking up on Christmas morning could expect gifts like skipping ropes, toy soldiers and even beer under the tree.
By the Numbers
150,000
The number of Christmas dinners the Salvation Army served to the poor nationwide in 1897, just six years after the first dinners began.
6
The approximate number of people a Salvation Army Christmas gift basket could feed.
225 million
The number of meals the Salvation Army has provided since the meal program began. The Salvation Army has assisted 31 million individuals nationwide throughout the years.
1903
The year the Salvation Army’s founder, William Booth, visited Mobile. He preached the Army’s mission to over 1,000 people gathered at the Big Zion Church.
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