Emmaus origins
Emmaus began in France shortly after the Second World War, when homelessness was a big issue. The first Emmaus community was founded in Paris in 1949. After the launch of the first, more Emmaus communities and groups were established and the Emmaus movement now has more than 400 groups in over 40 countries.
Emmaus arrives in the UK
The first Emmaus community in the UK came out of one man’s realisation that what people who experience homelessness wanted was self-respect and not handouts. Emmaus Cambridge opened in 1991 and in turn, this community supported other new Emmaus communities in the UK.
The opening of more Emmaus communities quickly followed, and they now stretch from Glasgow to Dover. Although part of a national federation and international movement, no two Emmaus communities are the same – each is an independent charity, providing services to meet the needs of people within their area.
Sussex Emmaus history
Nestled in the heart of Portslade Old Village, the Sussex Emmaus community sits on a site steeped in nearly 1,000 years of history. Once the grounds of a 12th-century manor house, the original building has long since disappeared, but part of the ruins still remains. These ancient flint walls now form a striking backdrop to our café gardens and children’s play area.
The ruins were constructed from locally sourced flint, some of which was ‘knapped’ to reveal the smooth, dark interiors still visible today. The pale stone found around windows and corners is Caen stone, imported from Normandy and typical of Norman architecture in areas without local building stone.
A new Georgian manor house was built on the site in 1807, and the original medieval building slowly fell into disrepair. Nearly a century later, in 1904, the property was bought by Kathleen Nelson and gifted to the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, a Catholic order founded by Crimean War nurse Frances Taylor. Committed to supporting those in poverty, the Sisters established a laundry service on site—this would eventually evolve into today’s Emmaus Secondhand Superstore.
The Georgian house, which overlooks our south garden, remained in use for nearly two centuries before being renovated to meet modern health and safety standards. It’s now rented as office space, helping to fund Sussex Emmaus’ charitable work.
In 1933, the Sisters also built a chapel next to the manor house, now lovingly restored and home to our Outfit at Emmaus secondhand clothing shop. A later addition, built to accommodate women in their care, now serves as the main residence for our Companions and sits beside the car park.
The Sisters left in 1996, and the land north of Drove Road was sold to become a local school. Sussex Emmaus officially opened its doors in February 1997, continuing the site’s long tradition of providing sanctuary, support, and opportunity for those most in need.