Why Is The Only North American Baháʼí Temple In Wilmette?

Curious City

WBEZ Chicago

Society & Culture, Education, Public, Chicago, Arts, City, Radio, Curious, Investigation

4.8 • 642 Ratings

🗓️ 8 June 2023

⏱️ 5 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The huge, gleaming Baháʼí House of Worship for North America definitely stands out from its suburban lakefront surroundings. It’s the oldest Baháʼí temple in the world, and it’s also known as the holiest. But why is it in Wilmette, Illinois? That answer involves a trip to the temple, a celebrity run-in, and some good old-fashioned research.

Transcript

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0:00.0	It's Curious City, where we take your questions about Chicago and the region, and investigate.
0:07.0	Report.
0:08.0	Explore.
0:09.0	From WB.E.Z.
0:10.0	Hey there, I'm Adora Nami Gadeh.
0:15.0	A curious city listener wanted to know, why is the only Baha'i temple in North America in Wilmette?
0:22.1	The intricately designed three-tiered temple stands in contrast with the suburban homes in that area.
0:28.0	There are 13 Baha'i houses of worship around the world in places like Uganda, Australia, and India.
0:34.6	The Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette boasts more than 300,000 visitors per year,
0:40.1	and it's open every day of the week. I met many people, including Critica Yadav, who came with
0:45.7	her sisters for an impromptu photo shoot. Behind them is a reflecting pool surrounded by pink blossom
0:51.2	trees. We get perfect pictures here at Baha'i in the garden.
0:56.0	It's their first time and they're loving it.
0:58.3	I didn't casually run into any Baha'is while I was at the temple.
1:02.2	I met Christians, Hindus, agnostics, and atheists.
1:05.6	While some just want to enjoy the scenery, others are moved to visit for more spiritual reasons.
1:10.8	Spokeswoman Joyce Lidoff says that's exactly what Baha'is intended.
1:14.7	So sometimes people come to this big, gorgeous building and they say, where is everybody?
1:20.2	It's a little bit to get your head around that this building is for everyone.
1:25.9	Chicago is a place with historic significance
1:28.0	for American Baha'is at large.
1:30.1	The first mention of the Baha'i faith in the West
	...

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