View All Photos

Advanced +

Jules-Etienne Dietschy

Credit: Ellen G. White Estate.

Dietschy, Jules-Etienne (1828–1907)

By Benjamin Calmant

×

Benjamin Calmant has a background in information science and an MBA in finance. He is currently pursuing a master's in theology at the Faculté Adventiste de Théologie (France) and the University of Geneva's Faculty of Theology (Switzerland). He previously served as the director of the French Adventist publishing house Vie et Santé and later as the director of Alliance Presse, a leading evangelical media group. He currently collaborates with the European Adventist Museum and the Ellen White Research Center in France.

First Published: February 13, 2025

Audio

Jules-Étienne Dietschy was an Adventist pioneer and church administrator from Switzerland.

Early Life and Education

Dietschy1 was born on August 6, 1828, in Genevez, Switzerland, near Tramelan. He was the son of Étienne Dietschi, a Catholic, and Henriette Voirol, a non-Catholic, which exposed him to both religious influences during his childhood and likely contributed to his openness to other spiritual traditions. On June 27, 1861, he married Sophie Élise Vuilleumier, the sister of Albert Vuilleumier. The couple moved into Sophie’s father’s home, across from the house built by Albert.2 Jules-Étienne became a schoolteacher.3

Dietschy was a member of the Reformed Church of the Canton of Bern, also known as the National Church, and is believed to have been either in contact with or receptive to the ideas of the Revival movement that emerged in Switzerland in the early 19th century.4

Meeting Adventism

Dietschy met Michael B. Czechowski in the summer of 1866. Before arriving in Switzerland, Czechowski, an independent missionary, spent 14 months in the Vaudois Alps, Italy. In 1865, he decided to relocate his mission to Switzerland due to financial reasons and his desire to establish a printing operation. Upon arrival, he organized his first baptism on February 7, 1866, followed by a second on August 19, 1866, during which a man named “Father” Hanhardt was baptized. Hanhardt later became a colporteur for Czechowski, traveling to Tramelan as part of his mission. During the summer of 1866, Hanhardt suggested that Czechowski visit Tramelan, as several people there, including Dietschy, were interested in his message.5 It was Dietschy who introduced the missionary to the Protestant pastor of the National Church in the area.6

Czechowski stayed in Tramelan for several days, making trips between his home and the village. While in Tramelan, he used Dietschy’s house as both accommodation and a venue for prayer meetings and Bible studies.7 Some of Dietschy’s in-laws lived on-site, while others resided in the house across the street. By New Year’s Day 1866, Dietschy and his family, along with other families in Tramelan, such as the Vuilleumier and Guenin families, decided to form a Sabbath-keeping group.8 Between July 20 and September 15, 1867, Dietschy was baptized during one of three baptismal sessions held that summer, in which 15 residents of Tramelan were baptized by Czechowski.9 In the following session, on September 15, 1867, Albert Vuilleumier was ordained to the ministry, and Dietschy and Jules-Henri Guenin were selected as deacons. By this time, the Sabbatarian Adventist community of Tramelan, which would later become the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Europe, had been fully established.10

Even before their baptism, the residents of Tramelan financially supported Czechowski’s mission. This support is documented in debt acknowledgments signed by the missionary. Several of these acknowledgments, including those in favor of Albert Vuilleumier and the Dietschy family, have been preserved in the Archives of Francophone Adventist History.11

Immediately after the August 3 baptism, which included Vuilleumier, Czechowski issued another debt acknowledgment. It’s possible that he used the baptismal session to share his financial difficulties. The amount was 80 CHF, with a handwritten note indicating “60 moi 20 Sophie,” referring to Sophie, Albert’s sister and the wife of Jules-Étienne Dietschy.12

On August 23, 1867, another debt acknowledgment was issued, this time to “Mr. and Mrs. Dietschy,” meaning Jules-Étienne and Sophie. The amount was 700 CHF, a significant sum.13 A barely legible handwritten note seems to divide the amount into 500 CHF for Jules-Étienne and 200 CHF for Sophie.14 Czechowski also added a note to this debt acknowledgment, saying, “A thousand thanks” to “Brother and Sister Dietschy” and ending with “I embrace you with all my heart.” This informal and emotional tone is typical of Czechowski, who appeared to be highly emotional in his expressions.

Sometime in 1867, Dietschy stopped working as a schoolteacher, though the reason for this career change is unclear. It is uncertain whether it was a personal decision or if he was dismissed due to his Sabbath observance. What is known is that he became a trader or merchant. Additionally, starting on September 11, 1868, he is listed as a representative for L’Évangile Éternel, the periodical published by Czechowski.15

Between January and July 1868, Vuilleumier discovered Review and Herald and began corresponding with American Adventists, causing a rift with Czechowski.16 During this period, Jakob Erzberger, a student at St. Chrischona Institute, learned about Dietschy’s Sabbath observance. Initially opposed, Erzberger eventually accepted the Sabbath and joined the Tramelan community, where he was baptized by Vuilleumier.17 After Czechowski left Switzerland in 1869, the community continued worship services, with Dietschy speaking on Christ and the Christian experience.18

On November 29, 1872, Vuilleumier, Dietschy, and Guenin wrote a letter to the General Conference, formally requesting the appointment of a missionary. They explained that the letter was written at the request of the entire Sabbatarian Adventist community, which had gathered earlier in La Chaux-de-Fonds. With the General Conference meeting scheduled for March 11, 1873, they sought to ensure their appeal was heard at that time.19 John N. Andrews seems to have been the response to this request. He arrived in Switzerland in 1874 and began working with the Tramelan community and others.

Adventist Officer

After Andrews’ arrival, Dietschy frequently took on administrative roles within the developing Swiss and European Adventist structure. In 1875, he served on the Executive Committee of the Swiss Conference.20 In 1876, when Andrews launched the French-language periodical Les Signes des Temps, Dietschy was listed as the publication manager. The 1883 church register of Tramelan notes that the meeting to officially establish the congregation was held at his home.21 He also served as treasurer for the Swiss Conference in 1884, 1886, 1887, and 1889.22 He served as an auditor for the annual sessions in 1889 and 1890.23

Later Years and Legacy

After leaving his teaching position, Dietschy seems to have worked as a merchant until 1884, while also serving in various church roles.24 Local newspapers published advertisements promoting the sale of his business. By 1876, while working with John N. Andrews, he announced plans to relocate, likely to Basel.25 However, his house in Tramelan wasn’t sold until 1884. An important testament to Dietschy’s role in the church is his inclusion in the famous photograph of Ellen G. White at the Basel printing press in front of the Basel printing press during her 1885 visit to Switzerland.26

Jules-Étienne Dietschy passed away on July 19, 1907, in Neuchâtel.27 He and his wife, Sophie, had three children, including Marie Anne, who, along with her husband, Charles Andrews, served the church.28

Sources

Periodicals

Czechowski, Michael B. “Notre journée.” L’Évangile Éternel, September 5, 1866; September 12, 1866; September 19, 1866; October 10, 1866; October 17, 1866; January 9, 1867.

Czechowski, Michael B. “Avis.” L’Évangile Éternel, December 31, 1866.

Czechowski, Michael B. “Mission.” L’Évangile Éternel, May 22, 1867; June 12, 1867; July 12, 1867; July 26, 1867; August 9, 1867; August 16, 1867; September 20, 1867

Czechowski, Michael B. “From Br. M. B. Czechowski.” Voice of the West, January 15, 1867.

Czechowski, Michael B. “Letter from Switzerland.” Voice of the West, February 12, 1867; August 28, 1867.

Czechowski, Michael B. “Our European Missionary.” Voice of the West, October 1, 1867.

Czechowski, Michael B. “Mission Letters from Switzerland: Number Eighteen.” World Crisis, September 25, 1867.

Czechowski, Michael B. “Mission Letters from Switzerland: Number Nineteen.” World Crisis, October 23, 1867.

Magazine articles

De Prato, Anna. “Origine du ‘sabbatisme’ ou plutôt de l’Adventisme du septième jour en Europe.” Revue Adventiste, December 1, 1922.

Geymet, Jean-David. “Petits commencements : 1re partie.” Revue Adventiste, May 1, 1922.

Guenin, Jules-Henri. “Les premiers jours du message à Tramelan.” Le Messager, May 1905.

Roth, Gustave. “Débuts de l’adventisme en Europe.” Revue Adventiste, April 1, 1937.

Vuilleumier, Jean. “Souvenirs intéressants sur l’origine du message adventiste en Suisse.” Le Messager, June 1905.

Vuilleumier, Jean, “Débuts de l’œuvre en Europe et dans l’Union latine.” Revue Adventiste, September 1, 1924.

Vuilleumier, Jean. “Premiers jours de l’œuvre en Europe [partie 1].” Revue Adventiste, May 1, 1939.

Vuilleumier, Jean. “Premiers jours de l’œuvre en Europe [partie 2].” Revue Adventiste, May 15, 1939.

Vuilleumier, Jean. “Premiers jours de l’œuvre en Europe [partie 3].” Revue Adventiste, June 1, 1939.

Vuilleumier, Jean. “Premiers jours de l’œuvre en Europe [partie 4].” Revue Adventiste, June 15, 1939.

Books

Vaucher, Alfred. M.-B. Czechowski. Collonges sous Salève: FIDES, 1976.

Waber, Karl. Streiflichter aus der Geschichte der Siebenten-Tags-Adventisten in der Schweiz 1865-1901. Zürich: Advent-Verlag, 1995.

Notes

  1. The spelling of the family name varies. In the birth and marriage registers consulted, it is written as "Dietschi." However, in several documents, including a joint letter written by Albert Vuilleumier, Jules-Etienne Dietschy, and Jules-Henri Guenin, Jules-Etienne signed as "Dietchy" ("Bien aimés frères en notre Seigneur Jésus!" November 29, 1872, General Conference Archives, box 13721D).↩

  2. To establish the genealogy, civil status, and address of Jules-Étienne Dietschy, the birth and marriage registers of the Bernese Jura, as well as the cadastral records of the municipality, were consulted.↩

  3. Anna De Prato, "Origine du ‘sabbatisme’ ou plutôt de l’Adventisme du septième jour en Europe,” Revue Adventiste, December 1, 1922↩

  4. In the early 19th century, religious movements, including the 1815 Geneva Revival and the 1845 formation of the Free Church of Vaud, caused “fractures” or rifts within Swiss Protestantism over the matter of separation of church and state (Jean Vuilleumier, “Un prêtre polonais passe à I' adventisme. Premiers jours de l’Œuvre en Europe jusqu'à l’arrivée de J. N. Andrews ». RA, May 1905, 11; Jean-Pierre Bastian, Christian Grosse, Sarah Scholl (éd.), Les fractures protestantes en Suisse romande au XIXe siècle, Genève, Labor et Fides, 2021).↩

  5. Czechowski states that upon arriving in Tramelan, he met both Jules-Étienne Dietschy and the village mayor, who was also Jules-Étienne's father-in-law ("Notre journée,” L’Évanglie Éternel, September 5, 1866).↩

  6. « Notre journée,” L’Évanglie Éternel, September 5, 1866.↩

  7. Czechowski frequently mentions Jules-Étienne Dietschy (e.g., "Notre journée ,” L’Évanglie Éternel, September 12, 1866, September 19, 1866, October 10, 1866 and October 17, 1866; “From Br. M. B. Czechowski,” Voice of the West, January 15, 1867).↩

  8. Czechowski’s journey in Tramelan and mission efforts in the aera are documented by himself (e.g., “Notre journée,” L’Évangile Éternel, September 5, 1866; September 12, 1866; September 19, 1866; October 10, 1866; October 17, 1866; January 9, 1867).↩

  9. Although the exact dates and individuals baptized cannot be confirmed, it is reasonable to assert that the following were baptized between July 20 and September 15, 1867: Jules-Henri and Sophie Guenin, Jules-Étienne Dietschy, Albert and Wilhelmina Vuilleumier, Édouard and Lina Vuilleumier, Luc Vuilleumier, and Abel and his wife (Michael B. Czechowski, « Letter from Switzerland ,” Voice of the West, August 28, 1867).↩

  10. See “Our European Missionary,” Voice of the West, October 1, 1867 and « Mission Letters from Switzerland : Number Eighteen ,” World Crisis, September 25, 1867.↩

  11. The Historical Archives of French-speaking Adventism (France) contains five certificates of indebtedness, along with telegrams from Michael B. Czechowski addressed to Albert Vuilleumier and Jules-Étienne Dietschy (“Dette MBC envers AV de 500.- CHF,” 16 août 1867, DP08 , “Dette MBC envers AV de 500.- CHF,” 20 juin 1867, DP09; “Dette MBC envers AV de 80.- CHF,” 05 août 1867, DP11, “Dette MBC envers AV de 20.- CHF,” 28 octobre 1867, DP13 and “Télégramme MBC à AV,” 06 février 1867, DP03, « Dette MBC envers JED de 700.- CHF ,” 23 août 1867, DP12).↩

  12. "Dette MBC envers AV de 80.- CHF,” 5 août 1867, DP11. Historical Archives of French-speaking Adventism, Collonges-sous-Salève (France).↩

  13. 700 CHF from 1867 would be approximately equivalent to $15,000.00 USD today.↩

  14. "Dette MBC envers JED de 700.- CHF,” 23 août 1867, côte DP12. Historical Archives of French-speaking Adventism, Collonges-sous-Salève (France).↩

  15. L’Évangile Éternel, September 11, 1868.↩

  16. Michael B. Czechowski to Albert Vuilleumier, July 5, 1868, DP02. Historical Archives of French-speaking Adventism, Collonges-sous-Salève (France).↩

  17. Karl Waber. Streiflichter aus der Geschichte der Siebenten-Tags-Adventisten in der Schweiz, 1865-1901. Zürich: Advent-Verlag, 1995, p. 36‑48 and Jean Vuilleumier, « Souvenirs intéressants sur l’origine du message adventiste en Suisse, » Le Messager, June, 1905.↩

  18. Jean Vuilleumier, “Premiers jours de l’œuvre en Europe [partie 4],” Revue Adventiste, June 15, 1939.↩

  19. Albert Vuilleumier, Jules-Etienne Dietschy, Jules-Henri Guenin, “Bien aimés frères en notre Seigneur Jésus!,” November 29, 1872, General Conference Archives, box 13721D.↩

  20. John N. Andrews. “General Business Meeting in Switzerland,” ARH, January 24, 1876.↩

  21. "Registre de l’église de Tramelan,” 1883, 21VA1. Historical Archives of French-speaking Adventism, Collonges-sous-Salève (France).↩

  22. “Historical sketches of the foreign missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, with reports of the European missionary councils of 1883, 1884, and 1885, and a narrative by Mrs E. G. White of her visit and labors in these missions” (Bâle: Imprimerie polyglotte, 1886), 44 and Adventist Yearbooks “Foreign conferences – Switzerland” (1886):17; (1887):16, and “Central Europe” (1889):37.↩

  23. H. P. Holser. “Central European Conference Proceedings,” ARH, October 15, 1889 and H. P. Holser . “Central European Conference,” ARH, October 28, 1890.↩

  24. “Avis,” Le Jura, October 10, 1884 and October 14, 1884.↩

  25. “Tramelan,” Le Jura, October 6, 1876 and October 10, 1876.↩

  26. Thomas J. Michael. “In All the World,” ARH, October 10, 1944.↩

  27. Joseph Curdy, “J. E. Dietschy obituary,” Le Messager, September, 197, 105.↩

  28. “Marie Dietschy Andrews obituary,” ARH, February 26, 1959, 26.↩

×

Calmant, Benjamin. "Dietschy, Jules-Etienne (1828–1907)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. February 13, 2025. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=AJQG.

Copy to clipboard Download Word File

Calmant, Benjamin. "Dietschy, Jules-Etienne (1828–1907)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. February 13, 2025. Date of access June 18, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=AJQG.

Copy to clipboard Download Word File

Calmant, Benjamin (2025, February 13). Dietschy, Jules-Etienne (1828–1907). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved June 18, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=AJQG.

Copy to clipboard Download Word File