A haven of peace

John Knox International Center

Our history

For 65 years in Geneva, the Centre has dedicated itself to serving the international community, first as a meeting place for students from all over the world, then gradually as a service provider offering conference facilities, accommodation and catering at affordable prices.

But that's not the whole story. This calendar shows the Centre's commitment to the heart of international Geneva as a platform for dialogue and exchange between the many nationalities and cultures drawn to the city for diplomacy, research, education, personal fulfillment and well-being. Initiatives from many different communities have converged on the Centre since its inception, such as the Franco-Swiss branch of the anti-apartheid movement and the American Presbyterian Church's foreign student exchange program.

Today, the Centre continues to operate with the same conviction and enthusiasm, welcoming visitors from all over the world, bringing people together, fostering a home-like atmosphere and offering much-needed facilities that are accessible to all.

Who was John Knox?

A 16th-century Scottish minister and theologian.

He was a major figure in the founding of Presbyterianism as a movement distinct from the Protestant Reformation, a schism in Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther.

Presbyterianism was influenced by John Calvin, who developed Reformed theology, and John Knox, who studied with Calvin in Geneva.

John Knox led the Protestant Reformation in Scotland and was instrumental in developing a new confession of faith.

The Presbyterian Church (USA), the Center's founder, gave John Knox's name to the home that would one day become the Center we know today.

Our chronology

1953
The beginning

At the instigation of Charles Tudor Leber, General Secretary of its Board of Foreign Missions, the Presbyterian Church (USA) decides to create a hostel for students in Geneva. The founding General Assembly is held on April 23. Ray Teeuwissen was the first director until 1956.

Foyer John Knox moves into a chalet in Malagnou (Geneva).

1955
Inauguration

The Foyer John Knox is officially inaugurated on June 6 and 7. The first series of lectures begins, led by a pioneer of the ecumenical movement, Dutch theologian Willem Visser't Hooft.

1958
First seminars

Paul Frelick, director of the center from 1958 to 1966, organized the first annual seminars specifically for students from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

1961
Land acquisition

The Association acquires land in Grand-Saconnex to better accommodate the growing number of visitors and requests for services.

1962
Construction

A new home in Grand-Saconnex, designed by Geneva architect Dominique Gampert, is under construction.

1963
Center inauguration

The press describes the new John Knox Foyer as a striking complex of stone, glass and dazzling angularity. The contrast with the large chalet, erected on the site in the 1940s, is striking. The Foyer was inaugurated on June 21, 1963.

1964
Visitors in all seasons

The Foyer and its vast tree-lined park attract visitors in all seasons.

1967
New manager

Charles Harper was director from 1967 to 1974.

1970
Margaret Flory

The large conference room is under construction. It will be named in honor of Margaret Flory, ecumenist and student advocate, then director of the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations of the Presbyterian Church in America (COEMAR).

1973
The John Knox Centre is in peril

The Presbyterian Church in the USA is restructured and COEMAR is dissolved. The John Knox Centre is in peril without its financial support, but the strength and determination of the community rests on a new model that forms the basis of the Centre's current activities: conference facilities, rooms and catering services accessible to all.

Thanks to the initiative of the Reverend Edmond Perret, Secretary General of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Center was run for a year, without financial support or responsibility for the debt.

The clientele, initially made up of students and religious groups, quickly expanded to include Geneva's local and international communities, humanitarian and educational groups, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations.

1974
New manager

Michel Cluzel is appointed director. (1974 - 1981)

1980
Groups and new rentals

The Center welcomes groups and rents office space to other non-profit organizations at below-market rates. Some rooms are renovated to hotel standards. The Centre's program committee is reactivated.

1981
New manager

Jean-Jacques Bauswein is appointed director. (1981 - 1996) 

1993
The Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary

The Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary and officially dedicates the Flory Building to Margaret Flory

1998
New manager

Marc Appel is appointed Director. (1998 - 2018)

2003-2004
The Centre celebrates its 50th anniversary

The Centre celebrates its 50th anniversary. The renovation of the infrastructure is being undertaken with contributions from the Commune du Grand-Saconnex, the Loterie Romande and other generous donors.

2008
Death of Lukas Vischer

Lukas Vischer, world figure in the ecumenical movement and emblematic leader of the John Knox Centre community for over 20 years, dies in Geneva.
Theologian, author and advocate of ecumenical dialogue in Christian churches worldwide, active supporter of the "Witnessing Together in Geneva" movement, Lukas Vischer was a tireless campaigner for churches to assume their environmental responsibility.

2017
Center modernization

A strategic rethink is underway to modernize the Center in order to honor its past and ensure its future in a competitive environment.

2018
New manager

Denis Muller is appointed Director.

2022
A haven for the 21st century

A steering committee has been appointed to organize and develop a proposal for the development of the site, with environmentally-friendly and sustainable construction and conservation of the park. The Centre's mission of hospitality remains at the heart of the future concept.

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