A Bahá'í Glossary - Bahá'í House of Worship

Second Bahá'í House of Worship - Continental
Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America, North America
Mother Temple of the North America & the West

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The House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, was completed in 1953 after more than 30 years of construction; the Wilmette House of Worship is the largest and the oldest surviving temple. Its cornerstone was laid by 'Abdu-l-Bahá in 1912 and construction officially began in 1921. Known as the "Mother Temple of the West" it stands on the shores of Lake Michigan. The cladding is several cast panels made out of white portland cement concrete with both clear and white quartz aggregate, which are placed over the temple's steel superstructure. It is the world's first structure to use the cast panel technique.

The principal architect was Louis Bourgeois, who took eight years to design the temple. The diameter of the dome is 90 feet (27.5 meters) and the height of the auditorium interior is 138 feet (42 meters). The auditorium is capable of holding 1,192 people seated. Below the temple is the current visitor's center, including an audio-visual auditorium known as Foundation Hall, the Cornerstone Room where ‘Abdu’l-Baha placed the temple's cornerstone, a bookstore and administrative offices. One of the driving forces in its creation and progress was Corinne True, who became known as the "Mother of the Temple".

[ Bahaipedia - Houses of Worship ]

DATA REGARDING THE BAHÁ'Í TEMPLE
IN WILMETTE, ILLINOIS

Cost of Temple property	$51,500.00
Area of Temple property	6.97 acres
Materials used in ornamentation:	crystalline quartz, opaque quartz and white Portland cement.
Total Cost of the structure of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in Wilmette, Illinois (1921-1953)	$3,212,517.60
Height from floor of basement to culmination of the dome ribs	191 feet
Depth of caissons	120 feet
Diameter at the foundation floor	204 feet
Height of dome	49 feet
Outside diameter of dome	90 feet
Number of sections of ornamentation comprising the dome and ribs	387
Perforation of dome surface	30%
Seating capacity of Auditorium	1,200
Number of Temple visitors from 1952-1962	1,003,253
Letter addressed by Bahá'ís of 'Ishqábád to the Bahá'ís of Chicago	1902
Petition addressed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá by the "House of Spirituality" of the Bahá'ís of Chicago appealing for permission to construct a Bahá'í Temple in America	March 1903
'Abdu'l-Bahá gives His approval through a Tablet dated	June 1903
Delegates of various American Bahá'í Assemblies meet in Chicago and choose a site for the Temple	November 1907
First two building lots purchased	April 1908
First American Bahá'í Convention established Bahá'í Temple Unity	March 1909
'Abdu'l-Bahá lays dedication stone of the Temple	May 1912
Purchase of Temple property completed	1914
Bahá'í Convention selects design of L. J. Bourgeois	April 20
Sinking of the nine caissons completed	1921
Completion of the superstructure	May 1931
Steps placed in position	December 1942
Completion of exterior ornamentation of Temple	1943
Completion of interior ornamentation	October 1952
Completion of Temple landscaping	April 1953
Dedication to public worship	May 2, 1953

PASSAGES INSCRIBED OVER THE NINE ENTRANCES
OF THE BAHÁ'Í TEMPLE, WILMETTE, ILL., U.S.A.

1. "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."
2. "The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me."
3. "My love is My stronghold; he that entereth therein is safe and secure."
4. "Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner."
5. "Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent."
6. "I have made death a messenger of joy to thee; wherefore dost thou grieve."
7. "Make mention of Me on My earth, that in My heaven, I may remember thee."
8. "O rich ones on earth! The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust."
9. "The source of all learning is the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory!"

PASSAGES INSCRIBED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE
BAHÁ'Í TEMPLE, WILMETTE, ILL., U.S.A.

1. "All the prophets of God proclaim the same faith."
2. "Religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold."
3. "Ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch."
4. "So powerful is unity's light that it can illumine the whole earth."
5. "Consort with the followers of all religions with friendliness."
6. "O Son of Being! Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee."
7. "O Son of Being! Walk in My statutes for love of Me."
8. "Thy Paradise is My love; thy heavenly home reunion with Me."
9. "The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun."

[ Bahá'í Faith, The: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative,
Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Bahá'í
Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963, Pages 36-38 ]

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Photographs of the Second Bahá'í House of Worship - Continental
Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America, North America
Mother Temple of the North America & the West

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Second Bahá'í House of Worship - Continental
Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America, North America
Mother Temple of the North America & the West - Photograph #1

Continental Bahá’í House of Worship of North America (Wilmette, United States), c. 1947

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Second Bahá'í House of Worship - Continental
Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America, North America
Mother Temple of the North America & the West - Photograph #2

Continental Bahá’í House of Worship of North America (Wilmette, United States)

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Second Bahá'í House of Worship - Continental
Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America, North America
Mother Temple of the North America & the Westt - Photograph #3

Detail of the ornamental features of the Continental Bahá’í House of Worship of North America (Wilmette, United States), 1988

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Second Bahá'í House of Worship - Continental
Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America, North America
Mother Temple of the North America & the West - Photograph #4

Interview view of the dome of the Continental Bahá’í House of Worship of North America (Wilmette, United States)

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Second Bahá'í House of Worship - Continental
Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America, North America
Mother Temple of the North America & the West - Photograph #5

Continental Bahá’í House of Worship of North America (Wilmette, United States)

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