L'Abri & the Schaeffers (1912-1984)

L’ Abri is an evangelical Christian organisation founded by Francis Schaeffer and his wife Edith in Huemoz-sur-Ollon, in Switzerland, on 5th June 1955.

Francis August Schaeffer (1912-1984) was an American evangelical theologian, philosopher and Presbyterian pastor. He was the first student to graduate and first to be ordained in the \bible Presbyterian Church (1935).
Edith Rachel Merritt Schaeffer (nee Seville) was a Christian author.
They married in 1935.

When they moved to Huemoz there was no assurance that it would be successful.
They opened their alpine home to curious travellers and as a forum to discuss philosophical and religious beliefs.
Word of mouth in the summer of 1955 soon led to an increasing stream of visitors, averaging 31 visitors a week.
Distribution of Francis’ lectures also helped to raise awareness of their work

As is grew the L’Abri organisation began to own and operate several buildings in Huemoz
4 types of people visited -
short term guests
students who divided their time between study and communal work, workers who participated in discussions and the work of of hospitality,
members who were part of the decision making process.

The L’Abri day revolves around communal meals, often used as an opportunity for formal open discussion, and students are encouraged to pursue interests in art, music and literature. (Read 'Mode of operation)

Francis died in 1984 of hymphoma on 15th May 1984, in Rochester, Minnesota but his wife Edit continued to be associated with the L’Abri organisation. Edith died, at home in Gryon, Switzerland, aged 98 nearly 30 years later, on 30th March 2013.

Edith 30 years ago founded The Francis Schaeffer Foundation to receive her husband’s papers and annotated books for scanning and subsequent study. This is run by her son-in-law Udo Middleman - he is also an associate pastor in Hoemoz.

The ministry has continued to grow. l’Abri has operations in a number of different countries staffed by workers who encourage visitors to study and consider their religious and philosophical beliefs.

Since 2011 l’Abri has residential ‘Study Centres’ in the USA , Canada, South Korea, Australia, the UK, the Netherlanders and Sweden as well as the original centre in Switzerland. It also has non -residential ‘Resource centres’ run by friends of the organisation in Brazil and Germany

Today the L’Abri houses are to be found in various parts of the world and continue to offer people a place to stay when they travel.

I have included information about both Schauffers and the books they wrote

Source
Wikipedia