Langley House Trust celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special thanksgiving service on 13th September 2018.
It took place in the stunning surroundings of Christ Church Spitalfields, a beautiful 18th century church situated in Central London. The service drew together over 200 people, including Langley supporters, volunteers, staff and clients.
The special one-off event marked 60 years in Langley’s history. Registered in 1958, Langley was set up by a group of Christian businessmen and women called ‘Team K’ who wanted to put their faith into action. Their vision was to provide “a home, a house with a built-in family to which the offender could come straight from prison to find support, assistance and love – commodities which the average prison is short of.”
Opening its first project in Winchester in 1959, Langley then embarked on an ambitious period of growth and expansion spanning several decades. Now a national charity, Langley works with between 800 and 1500 each year, helping men and women live crime-free. The charity has supported over 10,000 people since it was first registered.
Philip, a former drug addict and prisoner, spoke at the service about his experience of Langley and how it helped him to change his life. His journey dramatically turned around with the housing and support he received and he is now employed by Langley, helping other men like him to live crime-free.
One of Langley’s chaplains also shared about her previous experience of heroin and drug use and how this was helping her to reach out to Langley clients in the community.
As a marker of the 60th year, a stone cairn was built during the service, with each stone representing a Langley project.
The service was led by Andy Rider, Chaplain to the Trust and Rector of Christ Church. He spoke passionately about love and redemption how God’s love was reflected through the practical work and support of Langley. Langley is a Christian charity, working with people of all faiths and none.
Andy Rider’s talk ended with perhaps the most memorable quote of the day when he quoted Stanley Hauerwas who said: “Jesus is Lord, and everything else is bulls***.”
Langley will continue to celebrate its 60th year with its 60th Annual Review launch at the House of Lords later this year.
