In 1898, Major John Milsaps became the first Salvation Army chaplain officially recognized by the United States Army to journey to Manila to provide spiritual and moral welfare for the troops. He led Bible studies and conducted the first Protestant prison ministry at Bilibid prison.

In the 1920s, the economic depression pushed adventurous Filipinos to Hawaii to work in the vast American plantations. Some came to know Christ through The Salvation Army and eventually became officers. It was their love for their country that they returned to pioneer the work in this archipelago.

On May 23, 1937, the first officer to be appointed to the Philippines by The Salvation Army arrived in Manila. On hand to welcome the Territorial Commander and Mrs. Colonel Alfred E. Lindvall (nee Agnes May) together with Captain Florence Lindavall, their daughter, was a fine group of uniformed Salvationist led by Adjutant Fred Giles.

The Salvation Army’s inaugural meeting was held at the Central (Methodist) Church, San Luis (now T. M. Kalaw), on Sunday, June 6, 1937 at 7:30 p.m. With fitting ceremony, Colonel Lindvall, presented The Army’s well-known standard, the flag of yellow, red and blue. Bearing the inscription, “The Salvation Army – Philippines Islands”. The tri-colored flag had been placed in the Colonel’s hands by General Evangeline Booth on the eve of the pioneer party’s departure from London with the command to officially “hoist the Flag”.