Following the announcement in April 2023, that a national Bahá’í House of Worship, or Temple, will be built in Canada, a new website dedicated to its development is now online.
The website, which can be accessed at www.temple.bahai.ca, allows visitors to learn about the sacred purpose of a Bahá’í Temple and be informed about ongoing project developments. It also serves as a primary point of contact for temple-related inquiries from the public.
Bahá’í Houses of Worship, nine-sided structures built to embody beauty and oneness, invite people of all faiths and backgrounds to experience a serene and spiritual atmosphere, free of rituals. The Canadian National Bahá’í Temple will be a focal point of worship within the country. Other local, national and continental Baha’i Houses of Worship, which vary in size and design, can be found around the world.
Canada’s National Bahá’í Temple will be located at 7290 Leslie Street in Markham, Ontario, on land acquired by the Bahá’ís of Canada in 1968 as the site for a future temple. While initial steps have been taken to prepare the designated location for the Temple’s eventual construction, no design has yet been chosen. Visitors to the new website can learn about the history of the temple site, as well as the outcomes of ecological studies undertaken as part of the ongoing planning process. A further “Common Questions” section is featured and all temple-related inquiries, including requests to visit the temple location, may be addressed to temple@bahai.ca.
The new website also explores the themes of prayer and selfless service to humanity, two essential and inseparable aspects of community life that are deeply connected to the purpose of a Bahá’í Temple. This section features a short film, recently commissioned by the governing council of the Bahá’ís of Canada, which describes the historic and spiritual significance of the Temple for all who will enjoy a quiet haven for contemplation near Toronto city limits.
The film ‘A National Bahá’í House of Worship for Canada’ can be accessed here.