In 1906, English missionary Albert Kestin encountered a group of boys playing in a North London Park on a Sunday afternoon. When he asked why they weren’t in church, they replied, “We don’t like it, Sir!”. Moved by their honesty, Kestin resolved to offer them something more—a dynamic and engaging experience of Christian discipleship. He began the first ‘Crusader’ class, moving to weekly gatherings in his home, creating a space where young people could explore faith in a way that spoke to them. From this first meeting, the Crusaders movement was born, laying the foundation for what would later become known as Urban Saints. 

Soon after this first class, eleven further Crusader Classes with over 600 boys came together to form The Crusaders’ Union, united by the motto: “Looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). The first Crusader Camp followed in 1908, with 500 young people gathering at the first Annual Rally in London later that same year. 

Over the next few decades, the movement grew rapidly. By 1939, there were 256 Crusader Classes and over 16,000 members across the UK. The first groups had started in Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and nationwide events, camps and rail trips helped build a growing sense of belonging and purpose for thousands of young people. 

 

Wartime and Rebuilding

During the Second World War, over 4,000 Crusaders served their country and at least 600 sadly lost their lives. Yet even through hardship, the mission continued. After the war, the movement rebounded with new energy. In 1948, a permanent camp site—Westbrook on the Isle of Wight—was opened as a memorial to the fallen, and quickly became a hub for camps, retreats and leadership training. 

By the 1950s, more than 20,000 young people were involved in Crusader groups, and around 2,500 each year attended camps in locations such as Polzeath, Studland, St Davids and Stoke Fleming. The movement marked its Golden Jubilee in 1956 with rallies at the Royal Albert Hall, and a leaders’ conference attended by over 12,000 people. 

 

Adapting for a New Era

The 1960s and 70s brought cultural change and Crusaders adapted, launching mixed-gender groups, merging with the Girls Crusaders Union, and evolving from formal “Classes” into more flexible “Groups.” In 1972, Crusaders membership peaked at 29,000 young people across the UK. The headquarters relocated to St Albans, marking a new season of leadership and development. 

Into the 1980s and 90s, the organisation launched Area Development Workers to help plant new groups and support volunteer leaders. Overseas mission began to flourish, with young people joining CRUSOE projects in Tanzania and beyond—these later evolved into the ReBuild programme, giving hundreds the chance to serve through house-building and community outreach. 

Rebranding and Resourcing

In 2003, the organisation moved to a new home in Luton and into a significantly larger building which allowed improved support and services to Groups - including conference facilities and accommodation to visiting staff and volunteers.  

In 2006, the movement marked its centenary with a return to the Royal Albert Hall, where it boldly rebranded as Urban Saints, reflecting a renewed commitment to reach young people in an increasingly urban and digital world. The following year, a tree was planted in that North London Park where it all began—a symbol of growth, legacy, and future vision. 

The same era saw the launch of the Energize platform—the UK’s first fully online youth and children’s discipleship resource. What began as a tool for Urban Saints groups quickly became a trusted platform for churches and ministries across the UK and beyond. By 2018, over 1,500 churches and organisations were using Energize to disciple children and young people.