The Baha’is of Evanston, IL, have a rich history and longstanding association with their city.

A highlight of Bahai history in Evanston was in 1912, when ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the son of the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u'llah, visited Evanston and spoke at Northwestern University.

The first Baha’i to be recorded as a member in Evanston was Corinne d’Armour, who in 1916 lived at 1904 Central St.  She remained the only Baha’i for the next ten years, but by 1932 there were 19 members and Evanston was able to elect its first Spiritual Assembly. There has been an Assembly in Evanston continuously since 1932; it incorporated in 1943. The Baha’i community in Evanston currently numbers about 200. There are about 170,000 Baha’is in the United States and more than 5 million worldwide.

The Baha’i Faith has no clergy and instead administers its affairs through a network of elected councils at the local, national and international levels.  Local Spiritual Assemblies are composed of nine individuals who are elected each year from among the Baha’is 21 years and older in each locality.  All Baha’i elections take place in a prayerful atmosphere, without nominations, candidacies or campaigning.

Evanston is also home to the Baha’i National Center, located at 1233 Central Street, the administrative offices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States. We are also in close proximity to the Baha’i House of Worship for the North American Continent, located in Wilmette, one of only seven Baha’i Temples in the world.

Our prayer meetings, classes for children and teens, study circles, and other activities generally take place in homes, community centers, and other locations around Evanston. Our activities are open to everyone, and everyone is warmly welcomed to participate–being a member is not required.  The Baha’i Faith places great emphasis on the independent investigation of truth, so everyone’s path of exploration, worship and service  is respected and honored.

To contact or get engaged with the Evanston Baha’i Community – or just to ask a simple question – please contact us or check out the calendar.