Our
History
At
the end of the 19th century there were many well-to-do young Christian women
engaged in philanthropic works. Catherine Gurney was one such person.
Catherine was the youngest daughter of Joseph Gurney, a member of a firm of shorthand writers who served both the Houses of Parliament and the Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey). Although she had developed great secretarial skills, she was unable to pursue these through college and determined to use them in the service of Christ.
Following a conversation with a police officer on his beat, she started a work which today is known as the Christian Police Association. Her declared aim was to set before police officers the high ideal of life and service made possible through the redeeming grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
Apart from setting up Police Institutes (the forerunner of police clubs), she was also instrumental in founding the Southern Police Convalescent Home at Hove and the Northern Convalescent Home at Harrogate. Another work founded by her, was a Police Orphanage and school.
Not content with the work in the United Kingdom, she also traveled abroad extensively and sought to continue her work wherever she went, so making the work truly international.
Founded in 1883 by Catherine Gurney OBE, CPA is a member of the Evangelical Alliance and is an interdenominational organisation. This means that membership is open to anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and who has committed their life to him, no matter what church they attend.
Today, the work is still international through links with other similar organisations around the world. An "umbrella" group known as the Fellowship of Christian Police Fellowships has been set up to draw these organisations together.