An Unofficial Page -- Disclaimer
This page is not the "official" page of the House of Worship, nor is it affiliated with the Bahá'í community of Wilmette, Illinois. Please do not contact the author looking for information about events at the House of Worship or in the Wilmette area; he does not have that information.
The official page for the House of Worship is located at http://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple.
How to get to the House of Worship
Personal impressions of the House of Worship
The Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois (in Chicago's northern suburbs) is known as the "Mother Temple of the West", since it was the first House of Worship constructed in the Western Hemisphere. It was the second House of Worship to be constructed and is the oldest one still standing (the first one, in 'Ishqábád, was confiscated and ultimately destroyed by Soviet authorities).
Groundbreaking for the House occurred on May 1, 1912, in a ceremony blessed with the presence and participation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. However, construction did not begin in earnest until 1920. It was formally dedicated on May 1, 1953.
Like all Houses of Worship, the House in Wilmette has nine sides and a dome. It is surrounded by exquisite gardens and fountains. Inscribed on the inside and outside of the House are verses from the Bahá'í Writings. In the basement of the House, one will find the Visitor's Center, Foundation Hall (the oldest part of the House), the Cornerstone Room (where one will find the cornerstone for the House and a chair once used by 'Abdu'l-Bahá), and the Bookstore.
Via Rapid Transit: The Linden/Wilmette stop on the Evanston line is 3 blocks west of the House of Worship.
Via Car: The House of Worship is located at the corner of Sheridan Road and Linden Avenue in Wilmette. There are several ways to reach the House via car. Given the nature of Chicago traffic, it is a good idea to know several of them. Here are some that I have used:
From the south: take Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Road north to Linden Street
From the south: take West I-94 (Edens Expressway) to the Lake Street exit. Take Lake Street east to Sheridan. Right on Sheridan, go 1/2 mile to Linden. Alternatively, exit the Edens at Old Orchard Road, go right (east) for about a mile. Turn left at Gross Point Road. Go for a mile. Right on Wilmette Ave., travel through downtown Wilmette. Cross Green Bay Road and railroad tracks, go right on Central Avenue. Take Central to Sheridan, turn right and travel two blocks. Alternatively, take Central to 4th Street (stop signs), turn right and go two blocks. Left on Linden, travel three blocks.
From the northbound Tri-State Tollway: exit at US 14, Dempster Street. Follow Dempster for several miles, crossing I-94 (Edens) until you reach Gross Point Road in Skokie. Left on Gross Point, go for a mile. Right on Wilmette Ave., travel through downtown Wilmette. Cross Green Bay Road and railroad tracks, go right on Central Avenue. Take Central to Sheridan, turn right and travel two blocks. Alternatively, take Central to 4th Street (stop signs), turn right and go two blocks. Left on Linden, travel three blocks.
From Schaumburg and northwest suburbs: take Golf Road east across town until you reach Gross Point Road in Skokie. Left on Gross Point, go for a mile. Right on Wilmette Rd, travel through downtown Wilmette. Cross Green Bay Road and railroad tracks, go right on Central Avenue. Take Central to Sheridan, turn right and travel two blocks. Alternatively, take Central to 4th Street (stop signs), turn right and go two blocks. Left on Linden, travel three blocks.
If anyone has any other suggested routes, please email me (roger@rreini.com).
I first visited the House of Worship in May 1994, while I was on my way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As I drove north on Sheridan Road, I was on the lookout for my first glimpse of the building. There were so many trees, it was hard for me to see anything. Suddenly, there was a clearing, and I saw the top of the dome. It took my breath away. And every time I visit the House, I am still awed by it.
Here, in the middle of a major metropolitan area, is an island of peace and tranquility. The outside world rarely intrudes, save for the occasional airplane. The gardens and pools are exquisitely maintained. I am sure that 'Abdu'l-Bahá would approve. Indeed, I can easily picture Him walking through the gardens, admiring their natural beauty, or perhaps imparting wisdom to the friends walking with Him.
I long to see the day when there are Houses of Worship in every community around the world. For I believe that they truly serve as teachers of the Faith and examples of the power of this Cause.
Coming soon: more pictures of the House of Worship
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Revised December 30, 2006
Written by Roger Reini (roger@rreini.com),
who is solely responsible for its content.