Soon after the Salvation Army, originally 'The Christian Mission to the Heathen of our own Country' began in nearby Whitechapel under General William Booth in 1865 the bands and uniforms were seen and heard in Stratford. The military-style organisation, public presence, women and men in leadership, flags flying, 'in your face' evangelism, direct preaching, open-air singing, concern for the 'down and outs' disturbed the streets and shocked the church-goers.

Stratford had the strongest corps in Angel Lane but was replaced in 1965 by the Goodwill Community Centre in Paul Street E15. There is a SA Counselling Service in Water Lane E15.

 (Text abridged from Faith Flows in Newham Project 2010, by Colin Marchant. For full text, see 'Salvation Army 2', on the website; image by Matthew Crisp)