Catherine Booth facts for kids
Catherine Booth (born Catherine Mumford, January 17, 1829 – October 4, 1890) helped start The Salvation Army. She founded it with her husband, William Booth. Because she was so important in creating The Salvation Army, people called her the 'Mother of The Salvation Army'.
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Catherine's Early Life
Catherine Mumford was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England, in 1829. Her parents were Methodists, a type of Christian. Her father was a carriage maker and sometimes preached. Her family moved several times, living in Boston, Lincolnshire, and later in Brixton, London.
From a young age, Catherine was a thoughtful and serious girl. She grew up with strong Christian beliefs. It is said that she read the Bible eight times before she was 12 years old!
Growing Up and Helping Others
As a teenager, Catherine had a curved spine, which meant she had to rest a lot. But she still kept busy. Even when she was young, she worked as a secretary for a group called the Juvenile Temperance Society. This group encouraged people to avoid alcohol. She also wrote articles for a magazine about temperance. Catherine was part of local and national temperance groups.
In 1850, Catherine was part of the Wesleyan Methodists. But she was asked to leave because she supported some reformers. She then taught a Sunday school class for girls in Clapham.
Meeting William Booth
In 1851, Catherine met William Booth at a friend's house. William had also left the Wesleyans because he supported the reformers. William was reading a poem about temperance, which Catherine liked. She believed strongly in avoiding alcohol.
They soon fell in love and got engaged. For three years, Catherine wrote letters to William, encouraging him as he worked hard as a preacher. They got married on June 16, 1855, in London. Their wedding was simple because they wanted to use their money and time for their Christian work. Even on their honeymoon, William was asked to speak at meetings.
Their Family
Catherine and William Booth had eight children: Bramwell Booth, Ballington Booth, Kate Booth, Emma Booth, Herbert Booth, Marie Booth, Evangeline Booth and Lucy Booth. They taught their children strong Christian values. Two of their children, Bramwell and Evangeline, later became leaders of The Salvation Army.
Catherine's Ministry
Catherine started to become more involved in church work in Brighouse. She was very shy, but she enjoyed working with young people. She found the courage to speak at children's meetings. During this time, she learned from an American preacher named Phoebe Palmer.
With William's support, Catherine wrote a pamphlet in 1859. It was called Female Ministry: Woman’s Right to Preach the Gospel. This writing defended Mrs. Phoebe Palmer's preaching, which had caused a lot of discussion.
Women's Right to Preach
Female Ministry was a strong argument for women being allowed to preach. Catherine believed three main things:
- First, she thought women were just as smart and good as men.
- Second, she saw no reason in the Bible why women could not preach publicly.
- Third, she believed that if the Bible encouraged it and God blessed it, it must be right.
She felt it was wrong that people used a Bible verse (1 Corinthians 14:34) to stop women from speaking in churches. She believed this caused great harm to the Church and dishonored God.
At that time, it was very unusual for women to speak in meetings for adults. But Catherine was sure that women had an equal right to speak. In January 1860, after her fourth child was born, she asked to "say a word" during William's sermon. She was nervous, but William announced she would speak that night. This was the start of her amazing work, and many people were deeply moved by her preaching.
Catherine became a partner in her husband's work. She soon became a powerful preacher herself. She also visited people in their homes, helping them make new starts in life. She often held small meetings in homes for people who had recently become Christians. Eventually, she started her own preaching campaigns. Many people believed that no man of her time, not even her husband, was more popular or had better spiritual results.
Catherine Booth was a great speaker and a clear, logical writer. For over 20 years, she argued that women should have the same right to preach as men. At first, Catherine and William worked together as traveling preachers. But then, Catherine became very popular as a preacher on her own, especially among wealthier people. A woman preacher was rare when women had few rights. Catherine Booth was both a woman and a wonderful preacher. This combination attracted many people and showed that women's ministry was important.
Catherine also worked to protect girls. She asked Queen Victoria to support a law called the "Parliamentary Bill for the protection of girls."
The Christian Mission and The Salvation Army
In 1865, Catherine and William started The Christian Mission in London's East End. William preached to the poor, while Catherine spoke to the wealthy. She gained support for their work, which needed a lot of money. Many women who worked in textile factories or as house servants joined the Mission. Many of them became officers. William, Catherine, their son Bramwell, and his wife Florence were all vegetarians.
In 1878, The Christian Mission changed its name to The Salvation Army. William Booth became known as the General. Catherine became known as the 'Mother of The Salvation Army.' She helped make many changes in the new organization. She designed the flag and the bonnets for the women. She also helped shape the Army's ideas on important issues and beliefs.
The Booths rented a small house called Crossley House in Clacton-on-Sea. Catherine loved its view of the sea.
Catherine Booth died of breast cancer at age 61 at Crossley House. She is buried with her husband in Abney Park Cemetery, London.
Later, Crossley House was given to people with learning disabilities. It provided many summer holidays until it was sold in 2005.
Catherine Booth's Writings
- Practical Religion (1878)
- Godliness (1881)
- Aggressive Christianity (1883)
- Life and Death (1883)
- Highway of our God (1886)
- Popular Christianity (1887)
- Life of Catherine Booth: The Mother of the Salvation Army (1892)
- Female Teaching
Catherine Booth's Legacy
Catherine Booth's work continues to inspire many. Several places are named after her:
- Catherine Booth Hospital (CBH) is a hospital and nursing school run by The Salvation Army in Nagercoil, India.
- Catherine Booth House is a safe place for women and children experiencing domestic violence in Seattle, USA. It has helped people since 1976.
- Catherine Booth Child Development Center is a preschool in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
- Statues of Catherine and William Booth were put up in London in 1929. Replicas stand in the Mile End Road, London, near where The Salvation Army first met. Catherine's statue was unveiled in 2015.
- Catherine Booth House in Portsmouth, England, helps vulnerable families and mothers.
- Catherine Booth Hospital in Montreal, Canada, has been a rehabilitation center since 1973. Before that, it was a maternity hospital and a rescue home for women.
- Catherine is remembered (with William) in the Church of England on August 20.
See also
In Spanish: Catherine Booth para niños
- Catherine Bramwell-Booth, her granddaughter
- Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
