The very first 7th-day Adventist church
outside North America
told by one of its youngest members: Gustave Roth
“[…] Since God has allowed me to be among those of the first hour, I also want to give some information. It’s up to the compilers to make the most of it.
It was early in 1868 that my parents accepted the truth about the Sabbath in Tramelan. My father was a deacon in the German-speaking Lutheran Church. He was a shopkeeper. My mother was a woman of great energy and it was she who pushed us most towards Sabbath observance and dietary reform. I was thirteen at the time, and we were a large family.
My mother belonged to a Dorcas society whose meetings were held at Sister Albert Vuilleumier’s home. On these occasions, Brother Albert Vuilleumier took the opportunity to read to them about the truth. My father was instructed in the message at the same time as the Von Büren family by brother [Jacob, editor’s note] Erzenberger. When this brother baptized my father in the gorges de la Trame, a large stone rolled down from the mountain and passed between their heads, without hurting them.
The first years of the message in Tramelan saw some eventful scenes. We were about ten Adventist families, and we took it in turns to meet in the families of Tramelan-Dessus and Tramelan-Dessous. Each time, we had to cross the two villages and, as we passed, people would bang on the windows with noise and open them, shouting “Sabbatistes!” On leaving school, I was often chased by my classmates, who would shout “Sabbatistes!” at me. In retaliation, I’d shout “Papists!” This was not a retort suggested by the spirit of Christ; it was still “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”.
Later, in the orchard of the house we’d just bought, we built the first Adventist chapel in Europe. Sister White was present for the dedication [in 1886, editor’s note]. Tramelan was truly the cradle of the Adventist Reformation in Europe. Our little church became a veritable breeding ground for workers, many of whom moved abroad. Many of our pioneers came from the honorable Vuilleumier-Joly family, mayor of Tramelan, and from several good people from Tramelan-Dessous.
In those days, Tramelan was the preferred meeting place for christenings. People even came from La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle in four- and six-horse carriages. The “Adventist hotels” of the time vied with each other for the privilege of offering hospitality. I remember we had up to thirty guests in our house. What a joy it was! We doubled up the beds and added table after table. Contentment was in every heart. We’ve had some great days in this period of first love.
Some ten years later, my brother Oscar discovered, through his business contacts in Les Embreux near Tramelan, a large family by the name of Gerber, many of whose children attended our missionary schools and became pillars of our work.
Europe’s first camp-meeting was held in Tramelan. It was a big deal to get permission to erect tents in Switzerland at the time. Because the “Sabbatists” were well known in the region, the authorities granted us permission without difficulty.
And it was in Tramelan that, in 1892, the senior brothers came to seek me out in my beautiful home and advised me to give up an excellent business to take over the direction of missionary peddling in Central Europe, a branch that had just been organized. I held this post for eight years, and I can say that it was the happiest time of my life, and that I have fond memories of my many colporteurs.”
Gustave Roth
” Les débuts de l’adventisme en Europe “, Revue adventiste, April 1, 1937, p.12-13
Church Alliance
The Tramelan church register has existed since December 15, 1883. A founding text is included under the title Covenant of the Church.
“We the undersigned solemnly unite to form one church. We adopt the name ‘Seventh-day Adventists’ and pledge ourselves to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Practical info
Building of the first Adventist Church:
Address:Grand-Rue 171b, Tramelan.
Visits by appointment.
Tourist office :
https://www.j3l.ch/fr/P32941/lieux/villes/tramelan
To find out more :
Encyclopedia of Seventh-Day Adventists
Archives historiques de l’adventisme francophone
