Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois - Timeline Event
Time Period
1953
Description
The Baha'i World Faith, which began in Iran in the mid-19th century, was brought to America in 1892 by a Lebanese convert who would later fall out of favor with the main body. The religion’s central teachings include a oneness of humanity and of religions, equality of the sexes, universal peace and the separation of religion and politics.
By the early 20th century, there were an estimated 1,000 Baha’is in North America. These adherents became the catalyst behind the building of a new temple.
It took nearly a half-century to design and build the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Dedicated in 1953, with its laced dome rising next to Lake Michigan, the temple is the only one of its kind in North America.
There are an estimated 750,000 Baha'is in the United States, the largest community outside of India.
By the early 20th century, there were an estimated 1,000 Baha’is in North America. These adherents became the catalyst behind the building of a new temple.
It took nearly a half-century to design and build the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Dedicated in 1953, with its laced dome rising next to Lake Michigan, the temple is the only one of its kind in North America.
There are an estimated 750,000 Baha'is in the United States, the largest community outside of India.
Interactive Timeline(s)
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Religious Groups
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: Other GroupsOther Groups: Other ARDA Links
Related Dictionary Terms
Baha'i, New Religious Movements, Prophet, TemplePhotographs
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Baha'i House of Worship- Flickr- photo by Esteban Monclova (CC BY-NC 2.0)
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Baha'i Temple, aerial view, cropped- Flickr- photo by Shutter Runner (CC BY-NC 2.0)
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Baha'i House of Worship interior- Flickr- photo by Justin Kern (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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Baha'i House of Worship- Wikimedia Commons- photo by Purpy Pupple (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Baha'i House of Worship Welcome Center- Flickr- photo by Bahai.us (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Book/Journal Source(s)
Melton, J. Gordon, 2009. Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions, Eighth Edition Farmington Hills, MI: Gale.Web Source(s)
https://www.bahai.us/temple-history-and-architecture/Baha'is of the United States, "History and Architecture of the Baha'i House of Worship"
https://web.archive.org/web/20190805045727/https://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_bahai.html
"The Largest Baha'i Communities" (Link updated [7.26.2023] to archived copy, original is no longer online.)
Web Page Contributor
Sandi DolbeeAffliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
