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

Our History

History

Important Dates: