The message of Christian Science was introduced into Romance Switzerland early in 1902 by the visit to Geneva of an American. Some healing being accomplished in a few families, there grew very soon, with incoming benedictions, a strong interest in this doctrine. In May, 1902, an apartment in the business center was rented for public services and a reading-room; and in the third week of that month Christian Science services were held for the first time in Geneva, the congregation numbering about twenty. From the beginning, services were held every Sunday in French and English, and in September, 1902, weekly Wednesday evening meetings were started.
At the end of this year some members decided to hold services in a private dwelling-house, 23 rue Tronchin, but after a few months both congregations joined again in the latter place, a parlor,—which soon became too small to accommodate all comers. In August, 1904, rooms were taken at 8 rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, near the old cathedral where Calvin had so often preached three and a half centuries ago, and there a reading-room was again opened.
Through the earnestness of the readers and a few other devoted students of Mrs. Eddy's teachings, the blessed message of Truth was finding its way into the country. In 1906, the seating capacity being often overtaxed, services were held again in a private house, 34 boulevard des Tranchees, affording greater space. In less than ten months it was found necessary to secure a place of worship better adapted to the needs of the work, and in June, 1907, the congregation settled into its new quarters, 4 cour de St. Pierre. A month previous to this step the first lecture on Christian Science was delivered in Geneva. Although given in English, and on a Sunday afternoon, one hundred and twenty were present.
