Armáda spásy

Dear Friends,
Welcome to The Salvation Army in the Czech Republic. The Czech name is Armáda spásy (literally Army of Salvation).

The Armáda spásy is part of The Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Slovakia Territory.

The National Headquarters is located in Prague and is led by the National Leader for the Czech Republic. At the moment, this is Richard Wilfred Erick De Vree. The National Headquarters maintains contact with Czech central authorities, coordinates activities across the country, and liaises with the international Salvation Army.

If you would like to contact the Armáda spásy, you are welcome to reach out to our headquarters at:

Armáda spásy
Petržílkova 2565/23
158 00 Praha Stodůlky

T: +420 251 106 424 (we speak English)
E: ustredi@armadaspasy.cz

If you are visiting the Czech Republic and would like to visit a Salvation Army corps, please check the Contacts section to find a corps in individual cities. The Czech word for corps is sbor.

Please note that most corps hold their meetings in Czech, with some exceptions. However, you will almost always find someone who can communicate in English.

 
Brief History of The Salvation Army in the Czech Republic
The Salvation Army began its work in what was then Czechoslovakia in 1919. In addition to spiritual activities, it operated homes for the homeless and other marginalized groups. After surviving the difficult period of German occupation between 1939 and 1945, the new Communist government restricted and eventually banned its activities in 1950, imprisoning several of its members and officers. The most well-known among them was Major Josef Korbel, whose story is told in the book In My Enemy’s Camp.

Shortly after the Velvet Revolution in November 1989, a group of Czech Christians sent a letter to International Headquarters in London, asking The Salvation Army to consider resuming its work in the country. The federal Czechoslovak government was also very interested in the Army’s professional and practical experience in addressing homelessness. President Václav Havel met with General Eva Burrows, and direct contacts were made with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

The Salvation Army in the Czech Republic was officially registered as a civic association by the Ministry of the Interior on 17 May 1990. At that time, it was not possible to register as a church because Armáda spásy did not meet the legal requirements for church registration. After changes in Czech legislation and complex administrative preparations, Armáda spásy was finally registered as a church by the Ministry of Culture in September 2013.

Due to historical ties and linguistic similarities, the Czech Armáda spásy played a role in the revival of Salvation Army activities in Slovakia. In September 2015, Slovakia was officially recognized as the 127th country in which The Salvation Army operates. The name in Slovak is also Armáda spásy. For more information, visit the website of the Slovak Armáda spásy – (only in Slovak).