Emmaus Greenwich is based in Plumstead and was opened in 1994 by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre.

Currently the community offers a home to 35 people, who work both in the main superstore at the community site in Plumstead and in our two other shops in Lewisham and Poplar.

The history of Emmaus
Where it all began

The history of Emmaus

The first Emmaus community was founded in Paris, in 1949, by Father Henri-Antoine Grouès, better known as Abbé Pierre. He was an MP, Catholic priest and former member of the French Resistance who fought to provide homes for those who lived on the streets of Paris.

 

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Emmaus in the UK

Emmaus in the UK

Emmaus had been established in France for 40 years before it came to the UK in the early 1990s, all thanks to a chance encounter at a Cambridge soup kitchen.

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Emmaus International
Global Movement

Emmaus International

Emmaus is part of an international movement made up of 350 groups in 37 countries, governed by Emmaus International, which was set up in 1971.

Emmaus International has five priority areas:

  1. Migrants’ rights
  2. Access to water
  3. Ethical finance
  4. Access to healthcare
  5. Access to education
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