The Salvation Army is marking the huge milestone with a two-day celebration this weekend.
Hundreds of people from across the region and from as far as Auckland were expected to come together to remember the humble beginnings of the international religious and charitable movement in the city.
Throughout their years of existence, the organisation had become one of the largest social care providers in the community, helping countless people through their church or with their social programmes.
Salvation Army community ministries co-ordinator Brenda King said everyone was very excited to celebrate the important date because they had a lot of pride in the work they did daily.
"It’s just about lifting the spirits of your fellow man. There is so many people who are lonely and need help.
"There is a quote from our founder William Booth which reflects what we do: ‘Soup, soap and salvation’ — feed them, clean them up and get them right with God."
She said the team of about 20 volunteers helped about 150 people weekly though their programmes such as finance training, positive lifestyle, cameo events, support for prisoners pre and post-release, and alcohol and drug services.
They also held a Sunday church service, ran a food bank which delivered about 50 food parcels every week, a family store and a transitional housing programme which housed 17 families and individuals.
"It’s hard to describe . . . the more people you get to help, the better it is.
"When you see people’s lives starting to change, when you see people with low self esteem begin to feel like they are valuable members of the community — those are the rewards we get."
Invercargill Corps leader Wendy Sanson agreed.
She remembered the story of a man who was has been "on and off the Salvation Army" until he heard about a job mowing the lawns at the organisation’s transitional housing.
"It actually meant he could then work for himself and now he is fully employed. You should see his face glowing with a smile.
"He was able to visit his family . . . got to see grandchildren. He was so stoked to be able to have a holiday and not have to be on a benefit and he’s helping us so much as well."
Mrs Sanson said stories like these were the core of the work they did.
The Salvation Army was founded in England in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth and the movement has become one of the largest non-government social services providers in the world, she said.
In 1883, they sent officers Cpt George Pollard and Lt Edward Wright along with three Australian Salvationists to New Zealand in 1883, in the midst of an economic depression.
They landed in Bluff on Easter Monday before establishing the army in 21 centres throughout the country — by 1886 it had about 5000 members.
Invercargill was the ninth centre to be opened in the country and since then had been helping the community through their services and social programmes, she said.
She and Mrs King wanted to invite everyone to come along and celebrate the important milestone.
The weekend would be spent not only looking at the past, but would also be a time to look to the future, Mrs Sanson said.
"The theme for the weekend is ‘Going forward with God’. God’s been right here with us from the beginning and we know that will continue into the next 140 years," she said.
The programme for the weekend begins on Saturday with a visit to the former hostel and Dee St Hospital nurses’ home in Leven St, Invercargill, from 2pm-2.45pm, followed by an open-air performance by the National Youth Band in Esk St at 3pm and a free concert with National Youth Band and supper at the Salvation Army Church in Victoria Ave at 7pm.
On Sunday, there would be a 9.30am prayer meeting at the church and then a celebration service followed by a shared lunch and time to reminisce from 10.30am at the Victoria Ave site.
