baha'i house of worship

People fly from all over the world to see this masterpiece. Just a tip: Do not forget to check out the little "museum" downstairs. They show a documentary how it was built, and some cool old pictures, as well a nice small store. People somehow miss to find it since it's on the basement. It is beautiful inside and out.

The Baha'i Temple of Wilmette is the only one of its kind in N. America, and I am very lucky to live by. It is a sacred place for spiritual contemplation and prayer for all faiths, and one of the most beautiful ones in the world! We had our son's wedding here a few years ago, it was very simple and peaceful. The Auditorium and gardens are open year round 6:00 AM-10:00 PM for everyone. You most visit this House at least ones in your life time! You will be changed!

I hope that anyone visiting the north shore of the Chicago area will take the time to go here. It is a place of much beauty and quiet and with an interesting history. We had a long afternoon there and sat in the temple itself while a thunderstorm raged outside. I urge you to go and walk around the grounds, to walk across the street and go to the park nearby and just enjoy a time away from what most people do in Chicago--shop and eat out.

You must visit this amazing treasure in the quaint suburb of Wilmette. Not only is it extraordinarily beautiful, it is a quiet sacred space to be still. The grounds have been beautifully restored as well.

The temple is open to everyone. Start at the visitors center and watch the informational video. It is well worth the 20 minutes. You'll learn about the Baha'i faith as well as the construction of the temple. Enjoy the peace you'll feel as you tour the worship space.

My wife and I went here during our stay in Chicago. It was well worth the trip out to Wilmette. The architecture of the building was very beautiful and the surrounding neighborhood was pristine. There is a visitor's center on the lower level where you can obtain more information about the Bahai faith and the temple.

Driven by many times and wondered about it. it's a gorgeous building and visitors are welcome to come in and tour it. Only had a few minutes, but would like to go back and learn more about it. Very interesting place.

This is a beautiful temple to walk around, and it has a little visitors center too. It's really nice to walk near the lake front not far from the temple in the evenings.

and visit every trip home. This is marvelous piece of architecture and a world religion like none other. While the film is perhaps a bit of propaganda it also points out another way of life that embraces the best of all faiths.

It had been over thirty years since I first visited the temple as a student at nearby Northwestern. My wife and I were walking around Evanston and it was such a beautiful day that we decided to walk north to visit the temple. Absolutely beautiful and very photographically. The visitor area is warm welcoming and very informative.

Nice architecture and beautiful grounds. Other than that there's not much to do there unless you're interested in the Baha'i faith.... then you can have a lecture on the main principles of it in the welcome center down in the basement. It's free as well as the temple

A four walk from the end of the CTA Purple Line brings you to the Baha'i House of Worship. One can also reach the Temple by driving up Sheridan Road to Wilmette. Built in 1926 the Temple is simply beautiful and will thrill both architect buffs as well as the more causal visitor. The soaring dome overlooks Lake Michigan. The beautiful surrounding gardens alone are worth the trip. Generally, one is permitted into the Temple, a stunning sight. There is a new, and recently opened visitors center (which I have not yet visited).

If you've ever driven on Sheridan Road in Wilmette, you have marveled at the awesome sight of the beautiful white, domed building overlooking Lake Michigan, the Baha'i House of Worship. You can't miss it. It is arguably the most beautiful architectural structure this side of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials in Washington, D.C. No exaggeration. Many people, because they aren't members of the religious sect, are unaware that the auditorium and gardens and fountains are open to the public. Admission is free. There also is a welcome center. This sacred place is open to all for prayer, quiet contemplation and spiritual renewal. Brief prayer services are held every day. In fact, prayers are offered in Spanish on the first Sunday of each month. The a cappella House of Worship choir sings at the 12:30 p.m. service on the first three Sundays of each month. It is the oldest of only seven Baha'i temples in the world today--and the only one in the United States. Discussions about building a Baha'i House of Worship began in 1903 but construction didn't begin until 1922. But work stalled, funds dwindled and strange rumors began to surface during World War II that only confused the issue. For example, it was rumored that the unfinished building was a refueling depot for captured German submarines that had been brought to Lake Michigan. At any rate, construction finally resumed and the project was completed and the temple was dedicated in 1953. In 1978, the House of Worship was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Illinois Office of Tourism has named it one of the "Seven Wonders of Illinois." It is a domed structure surrounded by gardens and fountains on a 6.97 acre plot of land. The space between the floor of the auditorium and the ceiling of the dome measures 138 feet and the interior of the dome is 72 feet in diameter. The auditorium seats 1,191 people. The cladding of the building is composed of a concrete mixture of portland cement and two types of quartz. Various writings of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the religion, are inscribed above the building entrances and inside the interior alcoves. Another trivia note: the former studio of architect Louis Bourgeois, who died in 1930 before he could finish his designs for the interior, is across the street from the House of Worship at 536 Sheridan Road.

This house of worship is amazing. The architecture is incredible. The peace in this place is nice. Worth a visit.Also is good to see the video explaining the Baha'i faith.

The Baha'i house of worship in Wilmette is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen. The concrete contains pieces of quartz so the structure literally glistens. The grounds around the temple are immaculately manicured and a fantastic place to quietly stroll around and collect your thoughts. Yes, this place is a little bit of a hike if you're visiting downtown Chicago, but you can make an afternoon out of it by also visiting Gilson Park's beach, which is also beautiful and only half a mile north.