Founded as a hostel for international students in 1953, the John Knox Centre is a space for hospitality and reflection on issues facing the Reformed family.

The John Knox Centre, as it is familiarly called, is a marvellous institution. The first 50 years of its history illustrate an extraordinary characteristic of the centre - it brings out the best in people!

During these 50 years hundreds upon hundreds of people have given their time, energy, imagination, and intellectual and material gifts so that the John Knox Centre could be created, fostered, promoted, and developed. The majority have been inspired by their Reformed faith, but many others have equally joined in this exhilarating enterprise, convinced of the centre's potential - and by its record of achievements - to be a calm oasis for reflection, a neutral meeting place and stimulator for dialogue, a crossroads of cultures.

Over the years the centre has been all that and much more: an advocacy channel focusing on social justice and on world issues, an instigator of political dialogue between conflicting parties, a platform for replacing confrontation by understanding, and a champion of the cause of peace and dignity. And of course, to make all of that possible, comfortable lodgings and meeting rooms where a motivated and competent staff ensure material and physical conditions in which words can resonate and become meaningful.

As the person currently the titular head of the centre, it is with a full heart - and a full head! - that I dare to speak in the name of all my predecessors and of all those who have undertaken responsibility for the centre's implantation in Geneva, its demanding growth, and its ecumenical and international outreach. The John Knox Centre is indeed a marvellous institution that meets real needs in Geneva and internationally, one that has been blessed by the foresight of its founders and has constantly touched a deep well of goodwill and competence. The gratitude of the "John Knox community" is due to all those who have made these 50 years such a remarkable success.

Of course, the going has not always been easy. The pages of the centre's history recount both achievements and tribulations. Its stability, even its existence, has occasionally been in question. The goodwill and competence referred to above have always surfaced when needed to bring the ship back to an even keel. Association members come and go. Committees come and go. The centre gradually progresses. I cannot stress too strongly the role of generations of devoted staff who have shared the centre's ideals and who have performed the essential task of transforming those ideals into successful management. And I most heartily thank the current staff who have laboured beyond the call of duty to make the arrangements for the centre's 50th anniversary in 2003. Their work continues to lay solid ground for the centre's future.

Making all things new

For a centre completing its 50th year housed in buildings of very diverse age and condition, the core of the anniversary is the renovation campaign. For over two years the centre's committee and staff have been meticulously planning a major - and vitally needed - renewal of many parts of these buildings. New roofing, new windows, a new heating system, new ecological measures, and new security features are all designed to lead to new levels of comfort and efficiency in the interest of the centre's thousands of users. The renovation is required in part by modem legal requirements, in part by the simple fact that buildings also age, and in part by the need to meet the standards demanded by our guests. We have already issued a wide appeal seeking the more than 4 million Swiss francs (3 million Euro or USD) that the entire renovation requires. I reiterate the appeal here, for the need is urgent, well documented, and thoroughly deserving. Please give us your support as we enter the second 50 years. This marvellous institution is worth it!

Cyril Ritchie, president of the John Knox Centre

Adapted from At the Crossroads of Cultures, a 50th anniversary brochure available from the John Knox International Reformed Centre, 27 chemin des Crêts de Pregny, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland. Tel +41 [0] 22 747 00 00; fax +41 [0] 22 747 00 99.