Sharing the Gospel since 1985

Here’s what God has been doing since then and where we feel He is calling us to go.

Our History

Mark well the road by which you have travelled, Jeremiah 31:21

The Prince of Peace Community is a Catholic Charismatic Community founded in 1985 by Myles and Joan Dempsey in south-east London to spread the Gospel.

On the 26th of August 1985, Myles attended the Lion of Judah Catholic Charismatic Conference in Ars, France, and was deeply moved by the crowd’s fervour. Whilst standing at the famous statue of the Cure d’Ars, Myles prayed to the Lord, “This is France, what about England?” Immediately he received the words, ‘New Dawn, Walsingham.’

Two years later in 1987, the Community held the first New Dawn Conference in the fields of Walsingham with over 800 participants. Until 2024, New Dawn took place in Walsingham each year attracting thousands of pilgrims from across the UK and the world.

Before his passing on 12th June 2018, Myles passed the mantle onto Gary and Joanne Stephens as leaders of the Community and the New Dawn Conference.

Our Vision

The Renewal of the Catholic Faith in England

In 1897, Pope Saint Leo XIII prophesied that, “When England returns to Walsingham, Mary will return to England”.

Under the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham, our vision is to contribute to the renewal of the Catholic Faith in England, Mary’s ‘Dowry’, by helping people encounter Jesus Christ through the life and mission of the Catholic Church.

Our Mission

To serve the New Evangelisation

Our mission is to create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus Christ, experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and have their hearts and minds renewed as they grow as disciples living the fullness of life in the Holy Spirit within the Catholic Church. Through evangelisation, formation, pastoral care and community outreach, we seek to create welcoming spaces where faith can be rediscovered, relationships strengthened, lives transformed, and communities renewed in the life of the Church.

Our Charism

The Church with all its Lights on

Inspired by the vision of our founder, Myles Dempsey, our charism is to reveal the beauty of the Catholic Church in all her richness and splendour: “the Church with all its lights on.” We seek to celebrate the fullness of Catholic life, embracing the Charismatic, Liturgical, Marian, Eucharistic, Sacramental and Mystical dimensions of the Church, so that all who encounter our ministry may discover and fall in love with Jesus Christ, become more open to the work of the Holy Spirit, and find their place within the life of His Church. Under the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham, we remain committed to contributing to the renewal of the Catholic Faith in England.

Our Mission in Action

Creating Opportunities for Encounter

We serve people of all ages through the annual New Dawn Conference, monthly New Dawn Evenings, School Outreach and All Saints Boxing Gym. Through these ministries, we create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus Christ, experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, deepen their faith, build meaningful relationships and grow as disciples within the Catholic Church. Alongside these activities, we provide ongoing pastoral support and collaborate with parishes, ministries and other organisations in service of the wider community.