The Salvation Army came into being in 1861 when William Booth, a Methodist Minister resigned in order to have complete freedom to take the Gospel to underprivileged people throughout the country.  This missionary group was originally known as the 'Christian Mission'.  The name was later changed to the 'Salvation Army'.  The Foundation Deeds of the Salvation Army are dated August 1878.

The Salvation Army in Tonbridge had a stormy beginning when it opened its first meeting in the town's Corn Exchange in the early 1880's.  Those early Salvationists needed courage to face the opposition from local hooligans.

The Army's 100-mile march through Kent in June 1885 met with bombardment of rotten vegetables as they passed through Pembury and Tunbridge Wells.  In Tonbridge a gang of hooligans broke up the march and the singing by shouting and jeering.  A local man, William Hodgkin, allowed the marchers to camp in his field at Barden.

Salvation Army founder General Booth visited Tonbridge on more than one occasion.  His first visit was on 24th February 1890 when he spoke at a meeting in the Public Hall.  Also on the platform with him was Wesleyan Methodist Minister, Rev. R. C. Hutchings.  On another occasion on 3rd August 1905, he addressed a public meeting supported by Rev. C. G. Baskerville, Vicar of Tonbridge and Mr. Frank East.

In 1898, the Salvation Army built a Citadel in Lyons Crescent.  In July 1984, after 90 years of worship in the building, their stay in Tonbridge came to an end.  The last service was held there as the building had become unfit to use due to dry rot.

Although it had been a difficult beginning for the Salvation Army throughout Britain, they had won the nation's hearts and admiration for the work they had done during two world wars in offering help and comfort wherever it was needed.  Although the Salvation Army no longer has an official presence in Tonbridge, it is still a very active organisation.