SALVATION ARMY CITADEL
CROUCH END
Tottenham Lane
Postcode : N8 9BT Location : TQ 30348 88669 The ArtHouse Crouch End is housed in a former Salvation Army citadel, built in 1912 to a design by Oswald Archer, architect to the Salvation Army between 1905 and 1935. The planning application for the building, together with the plans and associated correspondence is in Bruce Castle Museum (Ref.: 1/HLA/B2/6 ROADS TIV/TOT) |
The Salvation Army's plan to build the citadel on Tottenham Lane encountered resistance from local residents, some 87 of who petitioned the Council to reject the scheme. It was argued that the rateable value of nearby houses would be adversely affected, that the comfort and quietude of the residents would be destroyed, and that there would congestion. One Alderman went so far as to say the Campsbourne would be a more suitable location "in the midst of the class they had set out to reclaim and save" - Islington Gazette, Friday 2 Aug. 1912, p. 5.
Description of the building
"... building operations have commenced on the site purchased in Tottenham-lane, between Elder-avenue and Ferme Park-road. The land measures 90 feet depth and 40 feet frontage. The buildings comprise a well proportioned public hall the front of the site, accommodating about 350 persons, and fitted with an orchestral platform, which will be seated with chairs. Immediately in front of this platform will be the “Penitents’ Form,” enclosed with pitch pine dwarf pillars, with red cord hanging between same; the front of the platform, and the penitents’ form being polished and fitted with a panel containing a suitable motto, or Scripture, in gold leaf. A wood dado 4ft. high runs round the hall, and above this the wails will be plastered and tastefully coloured. The roof is constructed with open roof trusses; the ceiling being formed with matchboarding laid diagonally, stained and varnished. The building will be well ventilated, having inlet ventilators in the walls and extract ventilators the apex the roof. It will be seated by polished orham [sic] wood seats. The front elevation is of red brick facings, relieved with Ridge-park [sic] bath stone dressings and name panel. Behind the hall are retiring rooms; tea-room, fitted with copper and sink; officers’ room, fitted with tiled stove, and the usual lavatory accommodation. At the rear, and approached by side passage 6ft. wide, is a Young People’s Hall, or Sunday-school, capable of accommodating 200 - a well-ventilated building. The cost of the land and buildings is estimated at £2,308, towards which headquarters are giving £750. The corps has to raise locally £708. Ths remainder is to be a mortgage on the property. Mr. Oswald Archer is the architect. The stone-laying ceremony will take place on Saturday, the 21st inst., at 3.30 p.m., conducted by Commissioner E. J. Higgins, who resides in Quernmore-road, Stroud-green. The local Wesleyans in Middle-lane have kindly placed their lecture-hall at the disposal the Army for a public tea at 5.0 p.m." - Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune, Friday 13 September 1912, p. 4.
The stones
There are four stones that are immediately visible on the front elevation of the building. There are two more hidden by notice boards on the front elevation, and one on the wall facing a side passage to the right of the building.
The stone-laying ceremony
"Saturday afternoon marked another stage in the Salvation Army’s advance in North London. A large gathering of members of the Army, several representatives of local municipal life, a good muster of members of the public, and residents in the neighbourhood, assembled at the stone laying ceremony of the new citadel in Tottenham-lane, Crouch-end. The new building will be the outcome of a long-standing desire and urgent need for adequate accommodation for the local corps. For some time past it has worked under trying circumstances, and in the absence of any shelter for carrying on worship, the plucky fight which it has carried on stands out all the more as a prominent and distinguishing feature. The Crouch-end Corps was opened in November, 1907, the instigation of the present General— Bramwell Booth — who, the then Chief of the Staff headquarters, observed that Greater London was developing faster than ever, and that to keep pace with this growth, the Salvation Armv must extend its operations to those localities where already several Salvationists had removed from other districts. Although many previous attempts had been made in the locality to secure a suitable meeting-place, no hall was available. The Assembly Rooms, Middle-lane, were taken on a six months’ tenancy, and the work was commenced by two women officers. Success attended the venture, and a flourishing corps established. Those premises, however, being required for other purposes, the Salvationists shortly afterwards found themselves with only the streets in which to carry their meetings. For thirteen months these Christian enthusiasts have saved themselves from dissolution by assembling on Sundays and during the week street corners and in thoroughfares according to arrangements. Under such circumstances, the present membership of 76 is certainly encouraging, and bears tribute to the enterprise and courage of those who have worked well and faithfully on behalf of the corps. Commanding Officers were Mrs. Ensign Vint (Marylebone), Adjutant Nellie Leonard, Captain Parsons (Harlesden), Ensign Mary How, Captain Watkins (Willesden), Ensign William Coleman (Dunstable). Captain and Mrs. Wood are now in charge, with quarters at 9, Beechwood-road. The secretary is Mr. John Noble, and the treasurer, Mr. Charles H. Cummins.
The new Citadel, which is expected to be opened in January next, will provide accommodation for about 350 adults and 200 young people. Saturday afternoon’s ceremony proved a big affair in stone-laying, no less than seven mementoes of the day being “well and truly laid’’ by different hands. The site in Tottenham-lane was bedecked with flags. From the platform the various speakers addressed a large gathering assembled in the roadway. The service commenced with a hymn, led by the Highgate Corps’ Band, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun.’’ Prayer having been offered. Commissioner Higgins, who presided, gave the address. He congratulated the Crouch-end Corps on the fight which they had been carrying under most difficult circumstances during five or six years. Contending with difficulties must be the experience all who worked for God. They did not expect, even with the erection of that beautiful hall, that their difficulties would removed. But certainly the difficulties which the soldiers of Crouch-end Corps had encountered had been greater than those experienod their comrades in other corps. His congratulations went out to them on their having kept together during the months they had been working in the open and without a building to go to. They had bravely put up with all the inclemencies of the weather and the difficulties associated with open-air work. A band of men and women who remained together under such circumstances was a band that could be relied upon in future to toil and fight for the salvation souls. Continuing, the Commissioner remarked that some difficulty had been experienced the Army securing site upon which erect citadel in Crouch-end. As far as they could discover, that site was the only one that could be secured which was all suitable for their requirements. For himself he did not think the site a bad one. He looked upon it as a suitable one, and he trusted that those friends who, in the past, might have thought that the Army had been rather intruding, would, by closer acquaintance, discover that Salvationists had nothing but goodwill to all men, and their only desire was to make good people and good citizens of those who now, perhaps, might be far from that condition.
That building scheme, mentioned the speaker, was part of a large scheme inaugurated six years ago by the late General Booth for the erection 250 new halls in the United Kingdom. The late General hoped to see that scheme completed within five years, but unfortunately it had taken a little longer time. The speaker was glad to able to tell them that the Tottenham-lane Citadel would complete 240 the 250 buildings planned for. They had given £900 for the land for that new Citadel. The cost of the work, in addition to the price of the land, would be about £1,400. Of the total sum of £2,300 they had set out to raise £1,450, leaving £85O on mortgage. Headquarters had given a grant of £750 from the National Building Fund. That left about to be £660 raised locally. He had no doubt that there was scope for the Army’s work amongst the churchless folk even of Crouch-end. So long as there were souls to saved there was room for the Salvation Army to carry on its operations. He expressed the Army’s appreciation for the efforts of those who had assisted the building movement, and thanked those gentlemen who had come forward lay foundation-stones. He trusted that the association of their names with that building would ever be a happy memory for those taking part in that ceremony. ...
Then followed the laying of seven stones. The first was by Councillor Yeatman, ex-Mayor of Hornsey. Accepting the invitation to say a few words, after declaring the stone to be well and truly laid, Councillor Yeatman said he considered it a great honour to be permitted to take part in those proceedings. They were all glad to note the prosperity of any good cause, and when they saw organisation like the Salvation Army extending its influence by erecting new buildings, by opening new branches, and by sending missionaries to foreign countries, they might be quite sure that the heart of the organisation was beating true and that the wonderful vitality of the Army was greater than ever. Referring to the late General Booth, the speaker remarked that every soldier in the Army was inspired by his indomitable courage. The late General set example which they all ought to emulate.
The second stone was laid by Ald. J. S. Balfour, J.P., who also paid a warm-hearted tribute the late General. Although the Army’s revered founder had passed away, the speaker was quite sure that the work would go on and its successful career continue. And with regard to that new building, he hoped the day was not far distant when the Crouch-end Corps would find it too small for its requirements. He wished the Army God speed in the noble work in which it was engaged .
Ald. W. Gaskell, L.C.C., who laid the third stone, said he had always admired the great work which the Army had carried on, not only in England, but in countries far off. He had the privilege of entertaining their late General on the occasion of his visit to Crouch-end, and knew how dear to his heart was the desire that the Army in that district should be properly housed. The speaker expressed the hope that in its new building the Army would make greater progress than ever in Crouch-end.
The next stone was laid by Mr. C. H. Cummins, the local treasurer, and whose membership in the Army covers a period of twenty-three years. In fervent style, Mr. Cummins told of the work of the corps in Crouch-end, and gave instance of its triumphs for Christ’s Kingdom during its uphill fight in that district. The results of the work, he contended, justified the Army in coming into that neighbourhood, and staying there. There were plenty of people in Crouch-end who needed the Army's services, and by the grace of God and with all the earnestness they possessed, they would after them and bring them into that building, and point them to Him who could take away the sin of the world.
Aid. F. G. Grayson, L.C.C., to whom fell the task of laying the fifth stone, enumerated a list of buildings, such as the church, public schools, library, fire brigade station, and the police-station, already existing in Tottenham-lane. He suggested that the work of the Army might be the means of rendering the police-station unnecessary, and it might not be long before the Salvation Army would have to take over that police-station building for the purpose of a second Salvation Army citadel.
Mr. Silas K. Hocking, who laid the sixth stone, remarked on the pleasure it gave him to take some small part in that memorable occasion.
The seventh and final stone was laid by the British Commissioner, Edward Higgins.
Major Kenyon afterwards gave address the on the financial position. He remarked that towards £700 to be raised towards the building scheme in that neighbourhood, they had received in cash and promises just over £500. “We will take the other £200 now", added the Major, as the Highgate Band struck up, and Army officials went round with collecting plates. Following the collection, there were several speakers to votes of thanks. The ceremony chided with the and Benediction. - Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune, Monday 23 September 1912, p. 5.
The new Citadel, which is expected to be opened in January next, will provide accommodation for about 350 adults and 200 young people. Saturday afternoon’s ceremony proved a big affair in stone-laying, no less than seven mementoes of the day being “well and truly laid’’ by different hands. The site in Tottenham-lane was bedecked with flags. From the platform the various speakers addressed a large gathering assembled in the roadway. The service commenced with a hymn, led by the Highgate Corps’ Band, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun.’’ Prayer having been offered. Commissioner Higgins, who presided, gave the address. He congratulated the Crouch-end Corps on the fight which they had been carrying under most difficult circumstances during five or six years. Contending with difficulties must be the experience all who worked for God. They did not expect, even with the erection of that beautiful hall, that their difficulties would removed. But certainly the difficulties which the soldiers of Crouch-end Corps had encountered had been greater than those experienod their comrades in other corps. His congratulations went out to them on their having kept together during the months they had been working in the open and without a building to go to. They had bravely put up with all the inclemencies of the weather and the difficulties associated with open-air work. A band of men and women who remained together under such circumstances was a band that could be relied upon in future to toil and fight for the salvation souls. Continuing, the Commissioner remarked that some difficulty had been experienced the Army securing site upon which erect citadel in Crouch-end. As far as they could discover, that site was the only one that could be secured which was all suitable for their requirements. For himself he did not think the site a bad one. He looked upon it as a suitable one, and he trusted that those friends who, in the past, might have thought that the Army had been rather intruding, would, by closer acquaintance, discover that Salvationists had nothing but goodwill to all men, and their only desire was to make good people and good citizens of those who now, perhaps, might be far from that condition.
That building scheme, mentioned the speaker, was part of a large scheme inaugurated six years ago by the late General Booth for the erection 250 new halls in the United Kingdom. The late General hoped to see that scheme completed within five years, but unfortunately it had taken a little longer time. The speaker was glad to able to tell them that the Tottenham-lane Citadel would complete 240 the 250 buildings planned for. They had given £900 for the land for that new Citadel. The cost of the work, in addition to the price of the land, would be about £1,400. Of the total sum of £2,300 they had set out to raise £1,450, leaving £85O on mortgage. Headquarters had given a grant of £750 from the National Building Fund. That left about to be £660 raised locally. He had no doubt that there was scope for the Army’s work amongst the churchless folk even of Crouch-end. So long as there were souls to saved there was room for the Salvation Army to carry on its operations. He expressed the Army’s appreciation for the efforts of those who had assisted the building movement, and thanked those gentlemen who had come forward lay foundation-stones. He trusted that the association of their names with that building would ever be a happy memory for those taking part in that ceremony. ...
Then followed the laying of seven stones. The first was by Councillor Yeatman, ex-Mayor of Hornsey. Accepting the invitation to say a few words, after declaring the stone to be well and truly laid, Councillor Yeatman said he considered it a great honour to be permitted to take part in those proceedings. They were all glad to note the prosperity of any good cause, and when they saw organisation like the Salvation Army extending its influence by erecting new buildings, by opening new branches, and by sending missionaries to foreign countries, they might be quite sure that the heart of the organisation was beating true and that the wonderful vitality of the Army was greater than ever. Referring to the late General Booth, the speaker remarked that every soldier in the Army was inspired by his indomitable courage. The late General set example which they all ought to emulate.
The second stone was laid by Ald. J. S. Balfour, J.P., who also paid a warm-hearted tribute the late General. Although the Army’s revered founder had passed away, the speaker was quite sure that the work would go on and its successful career continue. And with regard to that new building, he hoped the day was not far distant when the Crouch-end Corps would find it too small for its requirements. He wished the Army God speed in the noble work in which it was engaged .
Ald. W. Gaskell, L.C.C., who laid the third stone, said he had always admired the great work which the Army had carried on, not only in England, but in countries far off. He had the privilege of entertaining their late General on the occasion of his visit to Crouch-end, and knew how dear to his heart was the desire that the Army in that district should be properly housed. The speaker expressed the hope that in its new building the Army would make greater progress than ever in Crouch-end.
The next stone was laid by Mr. C. H. Cummins, the local treasurer, and whose membership in the Army covers a period of twenty-three years. In fervent style, Mr. Cummins told of the work of the corps in Crouch-end, and gave instance of its triumphs for Christ’s Kingdom during its uphill fight in that district. The results of the work, he contended, justified the Army in coming into that neighbourhood, and staying there. There were plenty of people in Crouch-end who needed the Army's services, and by the grace of God and with all the earnestness they possessed, they would after them and bring them into that building, and point them to Him who could take away the sin of the world.
Aid. F. G. Grayson, L.C.C., to whom fell the task of laying the fifth stone, enumerated a list of buildings, such as the church, public schools, library, fire brigade station, and the police-station, already existing in Tottenham-lane. He suggested that the work of the Army might be the means of rendering the police-station unnecessary, and it might not be long before the Salvation Army would have to take over that police-station building for the purpose of a second Salvation Army citadel.
Mr. Silas K. Hocking, who laid the sixth stone, remarked on the pleasure it gave him to take some small part in that memorable occasion.
The seventh and final stone was laid by the British Commissioner, Edward Higgins.
Major Kenyon afterwards gave address the on the financial position. He remarked that towards £700 to be raised towards the building scheme in that neighbourhood, they had received in cash and promises just over £500. “We will take the other £200 now", added the Major, as the Highgate Band struck up, and Army officials went round with collecting plates. Following the collection, there were several speakers to votes of thanks. The ceremony chided with the and Benediction. - Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune, Monday 23 September 1912, p. 5.
The names on the stones
Alexander Alfred Yeatman (1859-1931) was the Mayor of Hornsey, 1910-1911.
John Scott Balfour was the Mayor of Hornsey on two occasions, 1906-1907 and 1912-1913. Born in Cupar he came to London in the early 1860s and rose to become the managing director of iron merchants Croggon & Co, Upper Thames Street. He lived at 51 Mount Pleasant Villas, Stroud Green. He was a member of the Crouch Hill Presbyterian Church. At the time of his death in 1937 at the age of 92 he was said to be the oldest Justice of the Peace in North London ... and in his will left £100 to the Salvation Army (The Scotsman, 24 December 1937, p. 8).
Walter Gaskell (1866-1932) was an alderman of Hornsey Borough Council from its incorporation in 1903, later Mayor of Hornsey, 1909-1910. In July 1912 he was elected to represent of Hornsey on the Middlesex County Council, and not the LCC as stated in the newspaper report. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery.
Charles H. Cummins, treasurer of the local branch of the Salvation Army, was one of a family of newsagents. Cummins shop was at 196 Stroud Green Road, while another W.R. Cummins traded from 6 Park Road, Crouch End, 117 Hanley Road, Stroud Green, and 5 The Exchange, Muswell Hill, G. F. Cummins was in Church End, East Finchley. In the early 1900s they traded under the name Bennett & Cummins. A photograph album auctioned on Ebay in December 2020 contained a number of Salvation Army related photographs, one of which a postcard size photograph of a lady wearing a full kind of scouting uniform it has a name “Irene A Cummins” - “Highgate troop”. This suggests that the Cummins family were dedicated Salvationists.
C. H. Cummins
Frederick Edward Grayson (d. 1931) served on Middlesex County Council, 1907-10, 1910-13, 1913-19, 1919-22, 1922-25, 1925-28, 1928-31, and not the LCC as stated in the newspaper report. Member of the Hornsey School Board.
Balfour, Gaskell and Grayson attended a day long session held by Salvation Army's General Booth at the Crouch End Hippodrome, on 2 January 1910. (Islington Gazette, 3 Jan. 1910, p. 6)
Silas Kitto Hocking (1850-1935) was a best-selling author and ordained minister. His address in the 1911 census : "Heatherlow", 10 Avenue Road, Crouch End. Buried in St Pancras Cemetery. There is an extended essay on his life and work by Bob Davenport : Silas K. Hocking : Author and Minister
Bibliography
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune, 12 Apr. 1912, p. 4; 2 Aug. 1912, p. 5; 14 Aug. 1912, p. 4; 23 Sept. 1912, p. 5; 23 Dec. 1912, p. 4.