Our History

History

On the first years of arrival, after the Adventist pioneers came to establish themselves in Europe at the beginning of the ninteenth century, they wished to establish a missionary school. In 1921, two old hotels, a farm and a magnificent property of around 20 hectars were bought in Collonges-sous-Salève in Haute Savoie.

The 'Séminaire Adventiste du Salève,' as it was first called, opened its doors on October 6th, 1921, welcoming 76 students. At that time, the school offered trainings for Bible teachers, school teachers, or door to door salesmen and office workers. Work on the farm, gardening, wood work, cooking courses and sewing classes completed the theoretical teaching in a classroom.

More buildings were build progressively as the interest from more students increased, requiring further classrooms and equipment.

 

  • In 1924 : the cafeteria
  • In 1927 : the "Central" building with classrooms, offices and a library
  • In 1948 : purchase of the Beau-Site Hotel and its annex (boarding school for high school students and staff housing)
  • In 1950 : construction of the Fides printing house
  • In 1954 : a gymnasium
  • In 1961 : a chapel for 500 people
  • In 1964 : construction of Plein Soleil (staff housing)
  • In 1965 : a college
  • In 1966 : a new boarding school for boys (Les Horizons)
  • In 1969 : a new elementary school
  • In 1975 : a new boarding school for girls (la Clairière)
  • In 1979 : construction of the Gentianes (staff housing)
  • In 1981 : a new library
  • In 1987 : a building for the faculty of theology and the French foreign language school
  • In 1992 : construction of the Cyclamens (staff housing)
  • In 1997 : construction of the college
  • In 2009 : a new kindergarten
  • In 2019 : a new residence for boys (Jean Weidner residence)
  • In 2019 : construction of a large shed for maintenance and green spaces
  • In 2020 : renovation and expansion of the cafeteria (creation of the Lenna Salisbury space)

Important Dates:

  • 1893 : Creation of the "Adventist missionary school" in Neuchâtel (CH)
  • 1895 : Moving the school to La Chaux-de-Fond (CH)
  • 1901 : Moving the school to Genève (CH)
  • 1902 : Moving to Paris (F)
  • 1904 : Moving to Gland (CH)
  • 1919 : Moving to Nîmes (F)
  • 1920 : Returned to Gland (CH)
  • 1921 : Moving to Collonges sous Salève (F) and new name: "Séminaire adventiste du Salève"
  • 1921 : Opening of the seminary and school of commerce.
  • 1924 : Opening of the first French language courses for foreigners
  • 1936 : Opening of a private primary school Maurice-Tièche
  • 1946 : Opening of a private Grammar school Maurice-Tièche
  • 1952 : Opening of a private secondary school Maurice-Tièche
  • 1956 : Opening of the Institut de Français Langue Etrangère (Ifle)
  • 1961 : Signature of a partnership between 14 universities in the United States (Adventist Colleges Abroad) and the Institut de Français Langue Etrangère.
  • 1981 : Creation of the Adventist theology Faculty (previously named the seminary)
  • 1983 : First agreements between the Theology faculty and the pretestant faculty of Strasbourg
  • 1989 : New name: "Institut adventiste du Salève"
  • 1997 : The school takes the name of "Centre universitaire et pédagogique du Salève"
  • 2001 : The name of the school becomes "Campus adventiste du Salève"
  • 2008 : The French department receives the quality label Fle (Français langue étrangère)
  • 2013 : First settlements between the private secondary school and the State 
  • 2014 : Opening of the Institut des Sciences Humaines
  • 2014 : The Department of French as a Foreign Language is authorised by the French State to organise the TCF (Test de connaissance du français) in order to obtain French nationality or to apply for a residence permit.
  • 2017 : Opening of the International Centre for Religious Freedom and Public Affairs (CILRAP)
  • 2018 : Possibility of taking the theology degree in e-learning
  • 2019 : The Faculty of Theology receives the grade of Master conferred by the State
  • 2021 : Centenary of the presence of the campus adventiste du Salève in Collonges sous Salève
  • 2023 : The Campus celebrates 130 years of existence