History  of  the  Christian  Police  Fellowship  in  NSW​​

​Founded in 1883 by Catherine Gurney, OBE, the Christian Police Association now has branches in the majority of Police Areas in the United Kingdom as well as maintaining links with similar groups overseas.

Catherine Gurney was raised in South London.  She was the youngest daughter of Joseph Gurney, a member of the firm of shorthand writers who served the houses of parliament and central criminal court.  Catherine also developed excellent secretarial skills and used her abilities in Christian service that included organising and leading Bible studies.

Catherine quickly became interested in police officers. Their dedicated around the clock service included providing for her safety during walks home from meetings in the late evenings. On one such occasion she engaged in a conversation with a police officer, the officer stated to her, “What, do you think a police officer has a soul?”   

Following the ensuing conversation Catherine purposed to bring before officers the high ideal of life and service made possible through the redeeming grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was in the West London suburb of Notting Hill in 1883 that, after much prayer, the CPA had its beginning. Its founder has not been forgotten as the vision continues to be realized in a wide variety of Christian police fellowships today. 

Catherine’s lasting contribution to the Police Service was the founding of the police convalescent homes now known as rehabilitation centres and located in Flint House in Berkshire, St. Andrew’s in Harrogate and at Castlebrae, Auchterarder in Scotland. 

She also founded police orphanages and schools whose ongoing work is continued by the Gurney Fund in the south and the St George Police Trust in the north. It is this tradition of practical Christianity that the CPA aims to promote.

Not content with what she had accomplished in the United Kingdom, she also travelled abroad extensively and sought to continue her work wherever she went, making the CPA truly international. This continues today through links with similar organisations around the world. An "umbrella" group known as the International Christian Police Fellowship has been set up to draw these organisations together.

Whilst there were earlier fellowships as this picture of life in the force in Australia from the On and Off Duty CPA magazine from 1890 would indicate, the Christian Police Association in NSW was commenced in the 1980’s and was very strong for many years at times having over 200 at a meeting. Due to the change in laws in relation to Associations and other matters the fellowship lost its momentum.

Over the last two years there has been a renewed energy by a number of current serving officers who recognise the value of Christian fellowship within the Police. We've created this website, to let people know we are around and I have been amazed at the number of contacts. 

We are still really in a building stage and look forward to what the future holds.  We understand that Christian police around Australia are fragmented especially in remote locations which make contact hard. We have a vision of unifying Christian police around Australia and indeed in the Oceana Region we live in. 

This website provides an introduction to the work of the CPF and we hope you find it useful. To make a difference as a Christian in the workplace fellowship is important and the first step is to make contact with the CPF.  We will endeavour to locate Christians near to you and provide you with support.