Community History

The Community of Christ The Prince of Peace, led by Myles Dempsey and his wife Joan, was formed in 1985 by a small group of friends who had prayed and worked together in the Charismatic Renewal for several years previously, operating principally out of their house in South East London. Their experience in prayer groups led them to realise the need for a deeper expression of commitment to God, to the Church and to each other. After much prayer and fasting they were led to establish a residential community.

The first premises were acquired from the Dominican Sisters in Greenwich, where they set up a community structure. Over a period of five years they continued their existing activities and established new ministries. It was while they were at Greenwhich that the inspiration for the New Dawn Conference was given.

In 1990, the period of the lease expired and they moved to a much bigger centre in Beckenham, Kent (previously a convent and boarding school) which was leased from the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart. It was there that the various ministries of the community were further extended until the lease expired.

4. Baldock

In October 1993 they took up residence in Baldock, Hertfordshire in a former convent leased from the Sisters of Mary and Joseph. From here the community contiuned to run not only the New Dawn Conference but several prayer groups.

In 1999 a small group from the community took up residence in premises in Ormskirk, Lancashire in a premises leased from the Sisters of Charity. They were joined by others and in June 2000 the Baldock house was closed when the lease expired.

In November 2002 the community moved to St. Emilies which has been leased to them by the sisters of St. Joseph of the Appartition. Here they plan to expand their ministries in the Liverpool area.