The Presepe at Fisher House

Fisher House's awe-inspiring presepe is the masterwork of Fr Mark Langham, our former chaplain, who passed away in January 2021. Complete with a working furnace and water-well, the set presently includes sixty-three sheep and twenty working lights, as well as stunning homemade cutouts of Italian façades and a campanile, drawing on Fr Mark's love of Venice.

The presepe breathes itself into new life each year as those who install it create different scenes from the various cutouts - and every few years, Fr Mark would add to the presepe another scene. This year, with thanks to his family, a special addition has been made – the installation of a plaque commemorating the architect and designer, who is still very much missed by all of our community.

The new plaque of the presepe.

Roman guards protect a palace.

Mary and Joseph in the porch.

Two of the homemade façades.

A shepherd sleeps outdoors.

A shepherd with her sheep.

A shepherd crosses the bridge.

Market traders sell goods.

A woman tends her flock.

The water-well, which works!

Baby Jesus is born!

The wise men arrive.

The view from the sky!

The presepe at night.

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This collection of photos was originally published on 21 December 2021 as a Facebook post by Matteo Baccaglini, Pastoral Assistant, who republished it as a blogpost in July 2022.

Fr Mark Langham was the much-loved Catholic Chaplain to the University of Cambridge from 2013 to 2021. He had formerly been Administrator at Westminster Cathedral and spent five years on the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome. Fr Mark passed away on 15 January 2021.