Following its spectacular growth in other areas of Great Britain, The Salvation Army commenced its work in Carlisle in 1880 under the leadership of two young women, Hettie and Martha Whitehead. Carlisle No. 1 Corps, as it was known then, now known as Carlisle Citadel, was the 130th Corps of The Salvation Army to open
	'The Matchbox' - The home of Carlisle Citadel until 1895

The early months and years of the Army's work in Carlisle were marked by adversity from both the local population and the Bishop of Carlisle, who disliked not only the style of worship utilised in Army meetings but also the use of women in preaching and pastoral roles. Catherine Booth, William Booth's wife and co-founder of The Salvation Army, was herself a powerful preacher and she personally came to Carlisle to rebuff the accusations of the local clergy; this action can be seen as instrumental to The Salvation Army becoming accepted both by the wider population and the clergy. William Booth, the Founder of the Salvation Army, visits Carlisle in 1911