Two long-standing Salvation Army corps in Newfoundland and Labrador, Corner Brook Temple and Corner Brook Citadel, have officially merged to form the newly established Corner Brook Community Church. In February, the church held its first service with both congregations coming together as one, marking the start of a new chapter for The Salvation Army in Corner Brook.

Corner Brook Community Church now operates out of the former Corner Brook Temple building under the leadership of four corps officers, Majors Bertha and Wilbert Abbott and Majors Brian and Valerie Wheeler.

According to Majors Wheeler and Abbott, the discussion of a merger had been in the works for many years, driven by a vision of mission effectiveness and resource consolidation. Both corps were relatively small, with 50-80 congregants on a given Sunday. But by sharing financial, leadership and other resources, they could be better positioned for growth. The transition allows the church to enhance its outreach in the community, improve efficiency and ensure a more sustainable future for the Army in Corner Brook. 

“This merger was meant to bring us together in strength instead of survival,” says Major Brian Wheeler. “We want to build from here and grow together.”

According to Major Bertha Abbott, Corner Brook Citadel had an older congregation lacking in youth and youth leadership, and this merger strengthens the future of the corps with more young people involved. “We’re hoping that by joining forces, we’re going to have a stronger identity in the community. We feel positive about this,” she says.

“Being unified in the city will make us stronger,” adds Major Wilbert Abbott. “There is an opportunity here to pool our resources and capitalize on the special talents and spiritual gifts of our corps leadership, personnel and congregations.”

The inaugural service of Corner Brook Community Church drew a congregation of approximately 120 people from both former corps. The worship service featured music from both corps worship teams and a blended band.

“I heard a lot of positive comments about the worship,” says Major Valerie Wheeler. “There were several people at the mercy seat and one man gave his heart to the Lord. To me, that was God saying, ‘I’m here.’ It was affirmation that God is at work in Corner Brook.”

To support the transition, efforts were made to incorporate elements of Corner Brook Citadel’s worship environment into the new church. The platform was redesigned to resemble the citadel’s, including bringing over platform chairs and a holiness table. According to Major Brian Wheeler, the goal was to blend the history and identity of both corps, ensuring that all feel welcome and at home in the worship space.

Beyond internal unity, the corps officers and leadership teams are prioritizing community outreach. “It’s great to worship together, but our purpose is to reach out and bring new people in,” says Major Wilbert Abbott. “We want to be intentional about training and outreach so we can make an impact beyond the walls of our church.”

“We’re looking for that vibrant community—a congregation that has strong discipleship and ministries within the community,” says Major Brian Wheeler. “There’s so much more we can accomplish. I think we need to build on the excitement. We’re in a small enough community that the two Salvation Army corps coming together is news. People hear about it and are curious about it. They’re looking at us, and we have an opportunity to show them who The Salvation Army is in our community.”