History

We are a church in the Archdeaconry of Switzerland within the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe.

A summary history of Holy Trinity Church, Geneva

Our church in Geneva proudly traces its origins back to the Marian exiles, a group of Protestant refugees fleeing from persecution during the reign of Mary, the Tudor Catholic Queen of England, in the mid 16th century. Amongst their considerable achievements whilst they lived and worshipped in Geneva was publishing a book of Psalms in English and, in 1560, the Geneva Bible. Many returned to England to play an important role in the development of the Anglican Church under Queen Elizabeth I.

Since that time there has been a fairly continuous English-speaking Protestant presence in Geneva through each ensuing century until the present day. The worship has taken place in three principal locations, namely Calvin’s Auditoire, the Hospital Chapel (now the Palais de Justice in the Bourg de Four) and finally the present building, Holy Trinity Church, consecrated in 1853 on a site donated by the State of Geneva but whose construction was entirely financed by private subscription.

Holy Trinity continues to the present day to be entirely self-supporting financially. By contrast, its congregation is now much more diverse. It can claim to be ecumenical in outlook and serve a truly global congregation. Above all the community has maintained its long tradition of a caring ministry to English-speaking people in the area.

Significant events in the history of the English Church in Geneva

Phase 1

Auditoire de Calvin

1555 – Arrival of the Marian exiles. The Petit Conseil of the Ancient Republic put the Church of Sainte-Marie-la-Neuve (Auditoire) at their disposal for the celebration of their services in English according to the rites of the Geneva Reformed Church.

1556 – Election by the congregation of John Knox as Minister.

1559 – Departure of the majority of the exiles and presentation to the Petit Conseil of “Le Livre des Anglais” as a memorial of their stay in the City.

1560 – Geneva Bible published.

1685 – Permission granted for the first time for services to be celebrated in accordance with the Liturgy of the Church of England by the Rev. Gilbert Burnet.

Phase 2

Hospital Chapel

1814 – The Council of State put the Old Hospital Chapel in the Bourg de Four at the disposal of the English community for their services.

1846 – Decision by the English community to build a church of their own.

Phase 3

Holy Trinity Church

1851 – The Council of State grant a plot of land on which to build a church and foundation stone laid by Charles Sumner, Bishop of Winchester.

1852 – Regulations for the administration of the Church drawn up. Additional grant of land by the Council of State.

1853 – Consecration of Holy Trinity Church on 30th August by the Bishop of Winchester.

1884 – Presentation of East window by Mrs. Jephson.

1910 – Adoption of a new constitution by Holy Trinity in order to become a Society instead of a Foundation.

Phase 4

Expansion & renovation

1958-81 – Installation of stained-glass windows designed by Jacques Wasem.

1966 – Construction of Parish hall.

1968 – Reconstruction of organ.

1976 – Renovation of Church interior.

1983 – Classification of building as an historic monument.

1983-85 – Complete renovation of Church and installation of new organ.

1990’s – Enlargement and modernization of kitchen. Installation of handicapped facilities.

2003-04 – 150th anniversary celebrations and exhibition of the history of the church at the Geneva State Archives The Welcoming City: English-Speaking Protestants from 1555 to the present day.

2015 – Tower clock renovation and organ updating.

2023-2024 - First Phase of Building Tomorrow Project - modernisation and updating of the interior of the church and restoration of the stonework

Notable worshippers

KOFI ANNAN
UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner, married at Holy Trinity, here in Geneva.

Archbishop DESMOND TUTU

Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work on truth and reconciliation in South Africa, visited Holy Trinity.

NELSON MANDELA

South African president, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, visited Holy Trinity.

EGLANTYNE JEBB

Eglantyne JEBB, who, in addition to be the founder of the international charity “Save the Children” (charity present in Switzerland and the UK), was also instrumental in the establishing the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

Eglantyne Jebb who was born in England, co-founded the charity ‘Save the Children’ with her sister, Dorothy Buxton in 1919 to feed children left starving in Austria and Germany at the end of the 1st World War. She came to Geneva and was instrumental in establishing the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which was adopted by the League of Nations in 1924. Her campaigning helped transform the lives of millions of children.

To mark the centenary of this Declaration in 2024, the city of Geneva has honoured her by reburying her remains in the Cimitière des Rois alongside those who have played a significant part in Geneva’s history, and held a Civil Ceremony.
Holy Trinity Church Geneva, where Eglantyne Jebb worshipped, and where her funeral took place, held a special service of Choral Evensong on Tuesday February 6th 2024, along with members of Eglantyne’s family, to honour her.

Hon. JAMES FITZROY HENRY WILLIAM POLE-TYLNEY-LONG-WELLESLEY

Who was great-nephew of the Duke of Wellington (the man who defeated Napoleon) and youngest son of the notorious Fourth Earl of Mornington.

RICHARD EMILE AUGUSTIN de CANDOLLE

From a famous family of botanists, became British Consul in the First World War but then returned to the study of botany, donating the de Candolle herbarium collection of 400,000 specimens to the City of Geneva.

ELLEN REIBOLD de la TOUR

A descendant of royalty, Ellen lived to the age of 104 (1882-1986) in Geneva, rejecting the City's offer of a comfortable chair for her 100th birthday but demanding instead a party that is still fondly remembered!

JOHN KNOX

The second chaplain, Knox returned to Scotland after his time in Geneva and established the Presbyterian church, based on 'one presbyter (church leader), one vote'. Knox also helped remove Mary, Queen of Scots, from power

Further information

Offord, Valerie Exhibition Catalogue (in French and English): The Welcoming City: English Speaking Protestants from 1555 to the present day Geneva State Archives 2003

Offord, Valerie and Holt, Ben Brochure: A Celebration and thanksgiving for Geneva’s welcome to the exiled Protestant communities 1555-2005 November 2005.**

Rowe, Barbara Stained Glass Windows of Holy Trinity Church Geneva 1986

Steel, Dyne (editor Offord, Valerie) The History of the English Church in Geneva 1986 (This publication is regrettably now out of print.)