World Canada | |||
date | event | tags | firsts |
1902 (In the year)
190- |
Bahá'í groups were established in Canada. [BBRSM:106-7; BFA2:160; SBBH1:135; CBN No 82 November, 1956 p1] | Bahá'í Groups; Canada | first Baha'i groups established in Canada. |
1902 8 May
190- |
May Bolles married Sutherland Maxwell in London and moved from Paris to Montreal. [BW8:635; GPB260] It can be said that the history of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada began at this point. | May Bolles; Sutherland Maxwell; London, ON; Montreal, QC | |
1903 (In the year)
190- |
Thornton Chase, considered the 1st American Bahá'í, visited Winnipeg, MB on a business trip. [OBCC34] | Thornton Chase; Winnipeg, MB | First Bahá'í to visit Winnipeg, First Bahá'í to visit MB, |
1905 (In the year)
190- |
Agnes Alexander, living in Japan at the time, became the first Bahá'í to travel to the Yukon. [OBCC306] | Agnes Alexander; Yukon, Canada | First Bahá'í to travel in the YT. First Bahá'í to travel in the YT. |
1906 (In the year)
190- |
Alí Kuli Khán, his wife Florence Breed and son Rahím, then living in Washington, DC, visited Montreal early in the year becoming the first Persian Bahá'í to visit Canada. During their nine-day visit May Maxwell rented a house for them and he taught the Faith to large gatherings. [OBCC35] | `Alí Kulí Khán; Florence Breed; May Maxwell; Montreal, QC | first Persian Bahá'í to visit Canada |
1906 16 Sep
190- |
Abdu'l-Bahá addressed a tablet to the Montreal Community through Percy Woodcock. [BFA2p157, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, vol.II, pp.531-3] | Percy Woodcock; Montreal, QC | First Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Canada. |
1907 (In the year)
190- |
Honoré Jaxon gave an address to the trades and labour congress in Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p6; Free Press 4 October 1909] | Honoré Jaxon; Winnipeg, MB | |
1908 (In the year)
190- |
There were 16 Bahá'ís in Montreal.
|
Percy Woodcock; James Oakshette; Montreal, QC; Brockville, ON; Toronto, ON | first to visit Brockville. |
1908 22 May
190- |
Thornton Chase was the first Bahá'í to visit Victoria, BC. [OBCC34] | Thornton Chase; Victoria, BC | Thornton Chase is the first Bahá'í to visit Victoria, BC. |
1908 (Summer)
190- |
Mirza Enayatullah and Prof. M. Barakatullah were the guests of Percy Woodcock in Brockville, ON. During their stay there, Mr. Woodcock invited from time to time several ladies and gentlemen to introduce them to his guests.
Prof. Barakatullah attended the Sunday school in the Presbyterian church in Brockville for three consecutive Sundays and took part in a debate on the subject of the "Millennium." [Bahá'í Bulletin Vol 1 No 1 p13] |
Percy Woodcock; Mírzá Enayatullah; Prof. M. Barakatullah; Brockville, ON | |
1909 (In the year)
190- |
Sutherland Maxwell, Hand of the Cause of God, became a Bahá'í. [BFA2:156] | Sutherland Maxwell; * Hands of the Cause; Montreal, QC | |
1909 21 Mar
190- |
"The first American Bahá'í Convention opened in Chicago. [BFA2:XVII, 309; BW13:849; MBW142–3; SBBH1:146]
|
National Convention; Corinne True; Bahá'í Temple Unity; Constitution; Executive Board of the Bahá'í Temple Unity; Chicago, IL | First national body formed for the administration of the Bahá'í community in the United States and Canada |
1910 (In the year)
191- |
A Bahá'í, Marielle C. Ladd, resided in Benson Siding until 1923, a settlement 35mi southwest of Nelsen, BC. [BFA2p157, OBCC122] | Marielle C. Ladd; Benson Siding, BC | First Bahá'í to reside in Benton Siding, BC |
1910 (In the year)
191- |
Mr and Mrs Henry Stark Culver, Bahá'ís from New York City, settled in Saint John, NB where they actively taught the Faith and became the second Bahá'í group in Canada in the "teens". [BFA2p157]
|
Henry Stark Culver; Mrs Stark Culver; Saint John, NB | |
1910 5 Jan
191- |
On this date a contribution was recorded to "Temple Unity" from an unknown Bahá'í in Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p6] | Winnipeg, MB | |
1911 (In the year)
191- |
The first Alberta Baha'i, Esther Rennels, is reported to have lived in Edmonton from 1911-1917. The Bahá'í community has been in continuous existence only since 1940. [OBCC152; History of the Bahá'ís of Edmonton] | Esther Rennels; Edmonton, AB | First Bahá'í in Edmonton |
1912 (In the year)
191- |
It is estimated that there were no more than two dozen Bahá'ís in Canada at this point. [BFA2p158] | Statistics | |
1912 Jan (Early)
191- |
Letter from May Maxwell to Star of the West... "Early in January we received a visit from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab who announced the coming of Abdul-Baha to America and spoke of his visit to England and France. Among those who heard this address was the leader of the Socialist party of Montreal and other Socialists, the editor of the leading newspaper of Canada and several people connected with public work. Later this paper published a very good article on the Bahai Message and the coming visit of Abdul-Baha." [SoW Vol 3 No 1 March 21, 1912] | Ahmad Sohrab; May Maxwell; Montreal, QC | |
1912 Jan
191- |
Letter from May Maxwell to Star of the West... A few weeks later another talk given by a Montreal Bahai, on the significance of Abdul-Baha's visit to the occident, which was shortly followed by an address by Mr. Honore Jaxon, of Chicago, who presented the Bahai Message from the standpoint of the working class movement. Mr. Jaxon had just returned from England where he had been doing a work of seed-sowing and preparation among the organized labor people and socialists, and in his very broad and comprehensive talk in Montreal he showed the vital connection between these world-wide movements and the Teachings of Baha'o'llah. Mr. Jaxon spoke to several bodies and societies in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Quebec in such a spirit as to arouse interest and establish ties of good-will and fellowship, which will no doubt be the means of opening wide many doors for the reception of Abdul-Baha and the all-embracing Truth. [SoW Vol 3 No 1 March 21, 1912] | Honoré Jaxon; May Maxwell; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; Toronto, ON; Québec City, QC | |
1912 25 Jan
191- |
Regina, SK | ||
1912 C. 21 Aug
191- |
Ali Kuli Khan, a Persian Bahá'í diplomat posted to Washington,DC, visited Lethbridge to attend an agricultural conference leaving Washington during 'Abdu'l-Bahá'í visit to do so. [AY83; The Distance Traversed a presentation by Bev Knolton and Joan Young 2022]
|
`Alí Kulí Khán; Lethbridge, AB | |
1912 30 Aug (Friday)
191- |
`Abdu'l-Bahá left Malden for Boston. He left Boston at 9AM by train for Montreal, arriving at midnight and was met by Sutherland Maxwell. He took only two of His attendants with Him, Mírzá Ahmad Sohrab and Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání, HIs chronicler. [239D:132; AB132; BW8:637]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Maxwell residence; Montreal Shrine; Malden, MA; Boston, MA; Montreal, QC | |
1912 31 Aug (Saturday)
191- |
His first act in the morning was to heal the sick child of a neighbouring family, the Birks. The nine year old had been an invalid all her life. Caressingly He laid His hands on her head and shoulders and then told the family that she must go out every day, in the middle of the day, on the ground, and that in time she would be entirely healed. Nine months later, she was perfectly healthy and strong. On leaving their home He went directly to their store and bought a number of watches and rings which He used as gifts on the rest of His trip. [ABC53]
"As only material education is imparted and only natural philosophy is taught, these universities do not produce highly talented scholars. When both the natural and divine philosophies are expounded, they will bring forth outstanding souls and evince great advancement. The reason for the success of the Greek schools was that they combined both natural and diving philosophies". [MD228] "Behold what eleven disciples of Christ have accomplished, how they sacrificed themselves! I exhort you to walk in their footsteps. When a person is detached, he is capable of revolutionizing the whole world. The disciples of Christ met together in consultation on top of a mountain. They pledged themselves to undergo all manner of hardships, to accept every affliction as a bounty and to consider all difficulties easy to overcome. 'He who is tied to a family, let him arrange to leave it; he who is not should remain single. He should forgo his comfort and his life'. Consulting thus, they descended from the mountain and each on went a different way and never returned. It is for this reason that they were able to leave behind such achievements. After Christ, the disciples truly forgot themselves, and not merely in word." [MD228-229]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Maxwell residence; Montreal Shrine; Reverend F.J. Griffin; Martha McBean; Eddie Elliot; Montreal, QC | |
1912 1 Sep (Sunday)
191- |
'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a talk at the Unitarian Church, the Church of the Messiah, located on the corner of Simpson and Sherbrooke Sts in Montreal. (Architects: The Maxwell Bros. Built 1907, destroyed by fire 1937) [PUP297; ABC17-22; MD261]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; May Maxwell (Bolles); Sutherland Maxwell; Montreal, QC | |
1912 2 Sep (Monday)
191- |
On this day He and HIs companions moved into the Windsor Hotel where He rented three rooms. At the hotel He was able to accomodate much larger numbers of seekers. [HD237]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; May Maxwell (Bolles); Sutherland Maxwell; Montreal, QC | |
1912 3 Sep (Tuesday)
191- |
'Abdu'l-Bahá addressed Socialtists and Labour leaders of the day in Coronation Hall, 204 St. Lawrence Street. [ABC31-36, 48] | `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Coronation Hall; Montreal, QC | |
1912 5 Sep (Wednesday)
191- |
He was visited by the Bishop of Montreal visited Him and expressed his pleasure at the meetings being held and gratitude for "the address concerning the purpose of the Manifestation of Christ and the other holy Manifestations." 'Abdu'l-Bahá invited him to the talk in the Methodist Church later that day. [239D136]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, St James Methodist Church; - Film; Fred Rohani; Faramarz Rohani; Laylee Delaine; Montreal, QC | |
1912 6 Sep (Thursday)
191- |
'Abdu'l-Bahá had caught a cold the previous evening and so His departure was delayed for a few days. During this time He only went to the Maxwell home and many came to visit Him at the hotel. [MD247] | `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Montreal, QC | |
1912 7 Sep (Friday)
191- |
A group of people came to visit Him at His hotel. He explained that just as in the physical world, in the realm of religion there is a time of heavenly and spiritual springtime.
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Windsor Hotel; Montreal, QC | |
1912 8 Sep (Saturday)
191- |
On His last full day in Montreal with the friends 'Abdu'l-Bahá said: "I have sown the seed. Now water it. You must educate the souls in divine morals, make them spiritual, and lead them to the oneness of humanity and to universal peace." [239D137]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Montreal, QC | |
1912 9 Sep (Sunday)
191- |
The hotel bill for $700 was paid and the party was taken to the railroad station. The chief officer at the Customs and his assistants passed the baggage through indicating that the baggage of the Bahá'ís did not have to be inspected.
|
Montreal, QC; Buffalo, NY | |
1913 (In the year)
191- |
Esther R. Rennels was first recorded Bahá'í in Alberta. [Edmonton Bahá'í History; OBCC306; A.Pemberton-Pigott Thesis p23] | Esther Rennels; Edmonton, AB | first recorded Baha’i in Alberta |
1913 (In the year)
191- |
Edward W. Harris, a farmer who had homesteaded in the Gull Lake area, (specifically Carmichael) was the first Bahá'í known to have lived in SK. After his passing in 1922 his son, Edward D. Harris continued to operate the family farm with his mother and followed the Faith from 1934 to 1941. After the passing of his mother (Annie E. Harris b.1869 - d.20 October, 1941) he abandoned the farm taking only his clothes. Beatrice Magee, a neighbour who lived near the Harris farm, found an apple box full of Bahá'í literature and as a result become a Bahá'í in 1978. [OBCC121]
|
Edward William Harris; Annie E. Harris; Beatrice Magee; Gull Lake, SK | first to have lived in SK |
1914 Jan
191- |
Mrs J. A. Clift (not a Bahá'í) gave a public talk on "Bahaism" ot the Current Events Club of the Ladies Reading Room in St. John's. The local newspaper carried news of this event and printed the text of the talk. [OBCC109] | Mrs J. A. Clift; St. Johns, NL | first. |
1914 30 Apr
191- |
The marriage of Dr Zia Bagdadi, an Arab from Syria and devoted companion of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Zeenat Khánum, daughter of Hasan Aqá Tabrízí, a personal attendant of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 'Akká. It was the wish that these two Middle-Eastern Bahá'ís should be married in the Maxwell home. It was the first Bahá'í marriage in Canada. [OBCC73] | Marriage; Zia Bagdadi; Zeenat Khanum; Montreal, QC | first Bahá'í marriage in Canada |
1916 Mar
191- |
Mrs Caroline Lehman (née Yaekel b.16 November 1846 in Prussia) was a resident of West Gravenhurst, ON in March of 1916. She was of German extraction, her previous religion was Lutheran and she had been taught by Isabelle Brittingham, Mother Beecher and Ali Kul Khan during a visit to New York City to visit her daughter. Notice of her passing appeared in the American Bahá'í News. [BN No 137 July 1940 p10; information from a message from Dr van den Hoonard to Heidi Lakshman 30 August 2000 Nine Star Solutions 19 Jul 2020]
|
Mrs Caroline Lehman; West Gravenhurst, ON | first believer in West Cravenhurst, ON |
1916 (Summer)
191- |
Susan Rice spent her vacation in Alaska and during that time made a trip to Whitehorse and Dawson City. [SoW Vol 7 Issue 11 Sept 1916 p102] | Teaching; Susan Rice; Whitehorse, YT; Dawson City, YT | |
1916 Oct
191- |
The North American Bahá'í community began a teaching campaign aiming to teach the Faith in the many states named in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, and Montreal was designated the centre of the Northern Territory of the Campaign, which was assigned the responsibility of teaching the Faith in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Mackenzie, Keewatin, Ungava, Franklin Island, and Greenland .[SoW Vol 7 No 12 16 October 1916 p112] | Tablets of the Divine Plan; Montreal, QC | |
1917 (In the Year)
191- |
Marion Jack and Rhoda Nichols travelled to PE and NS holding meetings in different villages with no visible results. [OBCC109-110] | Marion Jack; Rhoda Nichols; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Nova Scotia, Canada | first to teach in PE and NS |
1917 (In the Year)
191- |
Newfoundland was first visited by Marion Jack and Kate Cowan Ives where Jack visited her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth Neville and John Thomas. [OBCC109] | Marion Jack; Kate Cowan Ives; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | |
1919 (Summer)
191- |
Mrs Dyar (formerly Wellesca Pollock Allen), named "Aseyeh" by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, spent the summer of 1919 on an extended teaching tour through Alaska and the Canadian North-west. [SBBH2p145] | Mrs Dyar; Wellesca Pollock Allen; Aseyeh; Aseyeh Dyar; Teaching | |
1919 26 Jul
191- |
1919 Sept - Marion Jack and Emogene Hoagg sailed from San Francisco for Alaska and the Yukon. They reached St. Michael at the mouth of the Yukon River on the 29th of July and continued by riverboat to Fairbanks, Dawson and Whitehorse. [CBN No117 Oct 1959 p1] | Travel Teaching; Emogene Hoagg; Marion Jack; Dawson City, YT; Whitehorse, YT | |
1919 28 Jul
191- |
1919 Sept - Marion Jack and Emogene Hoagg sailed from San Francisco for Alaska and the Yukon. They reached St. Michael at the mouth of the Yukon River on the 29th of July and continued by riverboat to Fairbanks, Dawson and Whitehorse. [CBN No117 Oct 1959 p1] | Travel Teaching; Emogene Hoagg; Marion Jack; Dawson City, YT; Whitehorse, YT | |
1920 (in the year)
192- |
This is considered the date of active participation in the Bahá'í Faith in Canada in Vancouver, the second centre of activity after Montreal. [CBN No 82 November, 1956 p1] | Statistics; Vancouver, BC | |
1920 (Summer)
192- |
The arrival of well-known Bahá'í scholar and travel teacher Jináb-i-Fádil accompanied by Ahmad Sohrab. They travelled with Marion Jack and Martha Root and visited Saint John, NB, Montreal, QC, Gagetown, PE, Woodstock, NB, Brockville, ON, Toronto, ON, Vancouver, BC and Victoria, BC. [SoW20Aug1920, OBCC193] | Mírzá Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; Marion Jack; Martha Root; Ahmad Sohrab; Saint John, NB; Montreal, QC; Gagetown, Prince Edward Island; Woodstock, NB; Brockville, ON; Toronto, ON; Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC | |
1920 Jun
192- |
The first Regional Teaching Committee in Canada was appointed by the Executive Board of the Bahá'I Temple Unity. The members were May Maxwell, Elizabeth Cowles and Mabel Rice-Wray Ives of Detroit. [SoW24Jun1920] | May Maxwell; Elizabeth Cowles; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives | first Regional Teaching Committee in Canada |
1921 (In the year)
192- |
Helen F Grand became a member of the Bahá'í community in Toronto. [FF123]
|
Helen Grand; Toronto, ON | |
1922 (In the year)
192- |
A school teacher, Mrs Dora Bray of Dawson, YT was the first Yukon resident and the first African Canadian woman to enroll in the Faith. She did so as a result of the visit of Marion Jack and Emogene Hoagg. [OBCC123] | Dora Bray; Marion Jack; Emogene Hoagg; Dawson City, YT | the first Yukon resident to enroll in the Faith; the first African Canadian woman to enroll in the Faith |
1922 5 Mar
192- |
Shoghi Effendi wrote that "in every locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds nine" Assemblies should be elected. [BA37]
|
Local Spiritual Assembly | |
1922 22 Mar
192- |
William Edward Harris was a farmer who had homesteaded in the Gull Lake area (specifically Carmichael) where he and his wife (Annie E. Rehm b. 1869, Fedonia. Wis. m. 7 July, 1892, d.22 March, 1922, Carmichael, SK) had moved from North Dakota in 1908 or 1909. He was the first Bahá'í known to have lived in Saskatchewan. After his passing only his son, Edward W. Harris (b.13 March, 1902, Milwaukee, Wis. d. 17 February, 1981 Prince Rupert, BC) continued to operate the family farm with his mother. After the passing of his mother he abandoned the farm at what appeared to have been at a moment's notice taking only his clothes with him when he left. His next know address was Haysport, BC from 1950. He is believed to have lived his latter days in Prince Rupert and is buried there.
|
Edward William Harris; In Memoriam; Gull Lake, SK | |
1922 (Summer)
192- |
Marion Jack visited PE to paint at the invitation of Isander Wanda Wyatt. [OBCC110] | Marion Jack; Isander Wanda Wyatt; Prince Edward Island, Canada | |
1922 (Summer)
192- |
Orcella Rexford entered the Yukon Territory from Skagway and via the White Pass Railroad arrived in Whitehorse. She held talks on the Faith to passengers aboard a stern-wheel riverboat as it travelled north. In Dawson City she lectured to some 550 people and received positive press coverage from the Dawson Daily News. [CBN No 117 Oct 1959 p1; Travel Teaching; Orcella Rexford; Skagway, AK; Whitehorse, YT; Dawson City, YT | ||
1922 (Winter)
192- |
Marion Jack lived in Vancouver for several months, soon a small, active community was formed. During this time Louis Gregory spent five days in the community while on his epic teaching tour in the USA. [TMW120]
|
Louis G. Gregory; Marion Jack; Vancouver, BC | |
1922 10 Dec
192- |
The election of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Montreal. [BW8:639, OBCC157; CBN No 82 November 1956 p2] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Montreal, QC | The election of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Montreal.The first Spiritual Assembly in Canada. |
1922 11 Dec
192- |
First formal Nineteen-day Feast held in Montreal (Feast of Questions) [OBCC159] | Feast; Montreal, QC | First formal Nineteen-day Feast held in Montreal and in Canada |
1923 2 Jan
192- |
The Guardian's first letter to Canada sent in c/o the Spiritual Assembly of Montreal. [Messages to Canada, 2nd Edition p5] | Local Spiritual Assembly; Montreal, QC | |
1923 12 - 26 Oct
192- |
Jináb-i-Fádil went to Montreal on October 12th as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Schophlocker, He spent a few weeks teaching in Montreal after which he journeyed westward, reaching Chicago about the middle of November. [SoW Vol14 Issue 8 November 1923 p248] | Travel Teaching; Mírzá Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; Montreal, QC | |
1923 15 Oct - 4 Nov
192- |
The second visit of Jináb-i-Fádil to Montreal and Toronto accompanied by Dr Zia Bagadi. [OBCC76] | Mírzá Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; Zia Bagdadi; Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON | |
1925 (In the year)
192- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada was established. | National Spiritual Assembly, election of | first National Spiritual Assembly in America. |
1925 4 Jul - 9 Jul
192- |
The Seventeenth Annual Convention of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada was held at Green Acre. [GAP117; SBR94]
|
Alfred Lunt; William Harry Randall; May Maxwell (Bolles); George Latimer; Louis G. Gregory; Elizabeth Greenleaf; Mariam Haney; Keith Ransom-Kehler; Horace Holley; National Spiritual Assembly; First National Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Green Acre, Eliot, ME | National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada was elected for the first time. |
1925 Dec
192- |
"A Plan of Unified Action to Spread the Bahá'í Cause Throughout the United States and Canada January 1, 1926-December 31, 1928" was formulated by The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada in response to Shoghi Effendi's message to the annual National Convention. [BA86-89; BN No 10 February 1926 p1]
|
- Teaching Plans; - Teaching Plans, National; National Spiritual Assembly; Canada | first teaching plan |
1926 (In the year)
192- |
Green Acre came under the direct supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada. [GAP118] | National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada; Green Acre, Eliot, ME | |
1926 26 Sep
192- |
An article by Queen Marie of Romania appeared in the Toronto Daily Star. Its syndication carried it to newspapers around the world. [HEC76] | Queen Marie of Romania; Toronto Daily Star; Toronto, ON | |
1926 26 - 27 Sep
192- |
The visit of Queen Marie of Romania to Toronto. She stated her allegiance to the Bahá'í Faith publicly in an interview given to the Toronto Daily Star (pub. 28 October, 1926). [OBCC104] | Queen Marie of Romania; Toronto Daily Star; Toronto, ON | |
1926 27 Oct
192- |
The visit of Queen Marie to Montreal. She visited McGill University, Montreal College and a convent. No public mention of the Faith was made. [OBCC77] | Queen Marie of Romania; Montreal, QC | |
1928 28 Oct
192- |
The visit of Queen Marie to Ottawa. No public mention of the Faith was made. [OBCC77] | Queen Marie of Romania; Ottawa, ON | |
1926 30 Oct
192- |
The visit of Queen Marie to Winnipeg en route to Minneapolis. No public mention of the Faith was made. [OBCC120] | Queen Marie of Romania; Winnipeg, MB | |
1927 (In the year)
192- |
The formation of a Bahá'í Youth Group in Montreal, perhaps the first in the Western World. [OBCC78, 85]
...I urge them to study profoundly the revealed utterances of Bahá'u'lláh and the discourses of Àbdu'l-Bahá and not to rely unduly on the representations and interpretation of the Teaching given by the Bahá'í speakers and teachers.[MtC30-31] |
Youth Group; George Spendlove; Rowland Estall; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; Teddy Edwards Alizade; Norman McGregor; Judie Blakely; Russell Blakely; Dorothy Wade; Glen Wade; Edward Dewing; Gerrard Sluter-Schlutius; David Hofman; Rena Gordon; Eddie Elliot; Montreal, QC | first Bahá'í Youth Group in Montreal |
1927 (In the year)
192- |
Ugo and Angeline Giachery spent two days in St. John's, NL on a stopover while on a cruise ship. | Ugo Giachery; Angeline Giachery; St. Johns, NL | |
1927 (In the year)
192- |
The second local spiritual assembly in Canada was elected in Vancouver. [OBCC125]
|
Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; George Monroe; Stanley Kemp; Evelyn Kemp; Rhoda Harvey; Thursa Murwood-Clark; Christine Monroe; Isobel Seifert; Florence Sherborne; Katherine Warnicker; Vancouver, BC | |
1927 24 - 28 Apr
192- |
Just prior to the National Convention, the Bahá'í Community of Montreal organized a "World Unity Conference". It was attended by Louis Gregory. [OBCC90] | Race amity; Louis G. Gregory; Montreal, QC | |
1927 29 Apr - 3 May
192- |
The nineteenth National Convention of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada was held at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal, the hotel where 'Abdu'l-Bahá stayed during His visit in 1912. [Bahá'í News No. 17 April, 1927]
|
National Convention; Declaration of Trust and By-laws; Edwina Powell; Oglesby; Montreal, QC | |
1927 May
192- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada drew up and published a 'Declaration of Trust' and 'By-laws of the National Spiritual Assembly'. [BW2:89, BW10:180]
|
National Spiritual Assembly; Horace Holley; Mountfort Mills; Constitutions (Bahá'í); By-laws; Recognition (legal); Montreal, QC | The first document of this sort to establish a clear legal basis for the National Spiritual Assembly |
1929 25 Dec
192- |
Willard and Doris McKay , then living in Geneva, NY, arrived in Montreal, the last stop on their first major teaching trip. They had visited Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Boston, Portsmouth, NH before arriving in Montreal by train.
|
Willard McKay; Doris McKay; Travel Teaching; Gifts; Eddie Elliot; Emeric Sala; Rowland Estall; Rosemary Sala; Youth Group; Montreal, QC | first youth group in Canada |
1930 (In the year)
193- |
Marion Jack departed Canada for pilgrimage in Haifa and then settled in Sofia, Bulgaria. [OBCC307] | Marion Jack; General Jack; Pioneering; Sofia, Bulgaria | |
1930 2 Mar
193- |
First Race Amity meeting held in Montreal. [OBCC90] | Race amity; Montreal, QC | First Race Amity meeting held in Montreal. |
1930
193- |
Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada: 2 Members: 2 [from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada] |
Statistics; Canada | |
1930 19 Aug
193- |
Jean-Baptiste Louis Bourgeois, (b. 19 March 1856, Staint-Célestin de Nicolet, QC. d. Wilmette, IL), the architect of the first Bahá'i Temple of Worship in America, passed away. He was buried in East Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento, California.[Find a Grave]
He, like Sutherland Maxwell and Mason Remey, had studied at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. These three and four others submitted designs for the Wilmette Temple for consideration. Other buildings designed by Louis Bourgeois include the Chicago Tribune Building, Evergreen Cabin in Englewood NJ where 'Abdu'l-Bahá hosted a Unity Feast, the Savoy Hotel in Chicago. He became a Bahá'í in New York sometime during the winter of 1906. In April of 1909 the National Spiritual Assembly called for design proposals for the first Bahá'í Hours of Worship in the West and he submitted is design proposal in October. It was finally accepted at the National Convention in 1920. [DP76-100] |
In Memoriam; Louis Bourgeois; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Saint-Célestin de Nicolet, QC; Wilmette, IL; Sacramento, CA | |
1931 Mar
193- |
Marion Jack painted a view from the Mansion at Bahjí. The painting was eventually hung in the Mansion. [CT174] | Marion Jack; Bahji, Israel | |
1931 Apr
193- |
Marion Jack arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria, to begin her pioneering service. | Marion Jack; Pioneering; Sofia, Bulgaria | |
1931
193- |
There were still only 30 Bahá'ís in Canada by this date. [BBRSM186] | Statistics | |
1932 (in the year)
193- |
F. St. George Spendlove visited Shanghai after his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He travelled to Nanjing and Beijing before proceeding to Japan. [PH49} | George Spendlove; Shanghai, China; Nanjing, China; Beijing, China | |
1932 (In the year)
193- |
Charles Nealy Murray (b.1886 - d.1955), who had enrolled in the Faith in 1911 in Washington, D.C., settled in Crapaud, PE where he worked as a farmhand until 1942. | Charles Nealy Murray; Prince Edward Island, Canada | |
1932 Jan
193- |
The first known use of radio to spread knowledge of the Faith was in Montreal by Martha Root. [MR381-382] | Radio; Martha Root; Montreal, QC | First use of radio in the teaching work in Canada. |
1932 21 Feb
193- |
Some time before this date Canadian Bahá'ís were exempted from combative service in the armed forces. [OBCC258] | Exemption from combative service | First exemption from combative service in the armed forces. |
1933 Dec
193- |
The arrival the first resident Bahá'í to have lived in Newfoundland, Nova Scotian John Redden.
John was born in Martock, NS and is credited with being the first resident Bahá'í. After he attended university he worked at the Sydney steel plant in Cape Breton. His life at the plant was gruesome for his arm was caught in machine and cut off. He moved to the United States where he found the Faith some time between 1917 and 1922. He returned to Canada in poor health and settled in Windsor, NS. John left the province to take a job in Newfoundland as a representative of the Penn Oil and Steel in Newfoundland and died of a heart attack three months later. His body was returned to Windsor. [OBCC109-110] He is also credited with being the first Bahá'í to have visited Cap Breton. |
Pioneering; John Redden; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; Martock, NS; Cape Breton Island, NS; Windsor, NS | the first Bahá'í to have visited Cap Breton. the first Nova Scotia Bahá'í; the first resident Bahá'í to have lived in Newfoundland |
1934 (In the year)
193- |
The first talk on the Bahá'í Faith was given in Calgary. May Maxwell had arrived by train at the Palliser Hotel situated at 9th Avenue and 1st Street West where she spoke to a women's Peace Club meeting. Her husband, William Sutherland Maxwell was the architect of the hotel. [The Distance Traversed a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022] | Calgary, AB | first Baha'i talk given in Calgary |
1934 (Apr or before)
193- |
The first homefront pioneers in Canada were Rowland and Stella Estall (née Delanti) who moved from Montreal to St Lambert in 1934. Rowland remained until 1935 and Stella Estall until 1938. | Pioneers; Rowland Estall; Stella Estall; Stella Delanti; St. Lambert, QC | first homefront pioneers in Canada |
1934 (In the year)
193- |
Rosemary Gilles (b. 1902 Scotland) enrolled in the Faith in 1929 in Montreal. In 1934 she married Emeric Sala and they pioneered to St Lambert,
They remained there until 1939 when the couple pioneered to Venezuela. [OBCC82] |
Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; St. Lambert, QC | |
1935 25 Mar
193- |
The Spiritual Assembly of Montreal became incorporated, the first Bahá'í governing body in Canada to do so. [BW6p323-328] | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Montreal, QC | first Baha'i institution to be incorporated. |
1935 3 Dec
193- |
The federal government issued to the Bahá'í Community a letter of patents for the word "Bahá'í". [OBCC259] | Patent; Copyright and trademarks | |
1936 1 Jul
193- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada appointed the first Inter-America Committee, beginning an organized and coordinated effort to establish the Faith in the Republics of Central and South America. [BW10:181] | first Inter-America Committee | |
1937 (In the year)
193- |
The publication of Sunburst by Lorol Schopflocher. It was published in London by Ryder & Co. (This scanned copy made available courtesy of Kurt Asplund.)
|
Lorol Schopflocher; Siegfried Schopflocher | |
1937 (In the year)
193- |
John and Audrey Robarts became Bahá'ís in Toronto. [OBCC151] | John Robarts; Audrey Robarts; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; * Hands of the Cause; Toronto, ON | |
1937 Apr 1938
193- |
The Vancouver community developed a series of 12-minute radio programs broadcast on CJOR radio. The subject was "World Order". Along with an accompanying brochure on the 12 principles and study classes for the public, the program attracted from forty-five to sixty interested persons. The programs were heard in Victoria, Comox, Armstrong and Vernon. [OBCC215] | Radio; Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Armstrong, BC; Vernon, BC | First use of a series of radio programs in teaching the Faith in Canada. |
1937 25 Mar
193- |
Shoghi Effendi married Mary Maxwell, Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum. [PP151; UD115]
|
Marriage; Mary Maxwell; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Haifa, Israel | |
1937 May
193- |
Fred Schopflocher contributed and additional $100,000 (see 16 March, 1929) to the goal of $350,000 to complete the exterior ornamentation of the House of Worship. For his dedication to the construction the Guardian designated him as "Chief Temple Builder". [LoF 388-390, BW12p664] | Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Fred Schopflocher; Wilmette, IL | |
1937 May
193- |
The First Seven Year Plan was launched in North America. [BBD180; BBRSM158; BW7:17–18; MA9]
|
First Seven Year Plan | |
1937 (Fall)
193- |
Mabel Rice-Wray Ives (1878-1943) was the first Bahá'í to initiate a systematic teaching campaign starting in the Fall of 1937 in Moncton, NB. She was assisted by Rosemary Sala of St. Lambert. [TG102, 108; OBCC153] | Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Teaching; Rosemary Sala; Moncton, NB | first use of a systematic teaching campaign |
1937-1938
193- |
Because of restrictive travel conditions, Emeric Sala was one of only two pilgrims to visit the Holy Land in 1937. He had unrestricted access to the Guardian for 3 hours for over five evenings.
Note: In actual fact, the fourth part of The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh is entitled "The Administrative Order" The explanation is in The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh, (BPT-Wilmette 1970) page 55-56. |
Emeric Sala; Pilgrimage; Tending the Garden; Emeric Sala; Haifa, Israel | |
1938 Ridván
193- |
The third, fourth and fifth local assemblies formed in Moncton, NB, Lambert, QC and Toronto, ON. The Moncton Assembly did not reform in 1940 nor in 1941. The Lambert Assembly did not re-form in 1941 and 1944. [OBCC177] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Moncton, NB; Lambert, QC; Toronto, ON | |
1938 30 Apr
193- |
The passing of Grace Robarts Ober (b.19 February, 1869 Ontario, Canada) in Wilmette, IL). She was buried at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery South Eliot, York County, Maine,
|
Grace Robarts Ober; In Memoriam; John Robarts; Lua Getsinger; Howard Colby Ives; South Eliot, ME | |
1938 30 May
193- |
A visiting Bahá'í, Emeric Sala, gave a talk at "the Phoenix Club".
On that same day Rowland Estall, a Bahá'í pioneer from Vancouver arrived to settle in Winnipeg. He had left a secure job for the prospect of no job during the depression of unequalled magnitude.He quickly secured a position with Great West Life selling group insurance. Just previous to Estall's arrival, Sylvia King agreed to reside in Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p12, 15; OBCC81] |
Emeric Sala; Rowland Estall; Sylvia King; Winnipeg, MB; Vancouver, BC | |
1938 29 Jun
193- |
Sylvia Matteson King, an American Bahá'í who did a lot of travelling in Western Canada, paid a visit to Winnipeg lecturing on "The New World Order" at a public meeting in the Marlborough Hotel. [OBBC179] | Sylvia King; Winnipeg, MB | |
1939 (In the year)
193- |
Emeric Sala gave a talk in Regina proclaiming the Faith for the first time in Saskatchewan. Regina is one of five cities he visited on this business trip. [TG104] | Emeric Sala; Regina, SK | first public talk in SK |
1929 (In the year)
193- |
Lulu Barr was the first Bahá'í in Hamilton, ON. [OBCC196] | Lulu Barr; Hamilton, ON | first Bahá'í in Hamilton, ON |
1939 25 Mar
193- |
The incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Vancouver under the Societies Act. [OBCC258] | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Vancouver, BC | |
1939 Apr
193- |
Jean Doris Skinner became the first Bahá'í to settle in Calgary, AB. She had become a Bahá'í in Vancouver in 1936. She left Calgary in 1949 to pioneer to NL. [OBCC184] | Doris Skinner; Pioneering; Calgary, AB; Vancouver, BC; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | the first Bahá'í to settle in Calgary, AB. |
1939 May
193- |
Lillian Tomlinson became the first known Winnipeg Bahá'í. Tomlinson was at the time a telephone operator. She was a friend of Ernest Marsh (The 6th person to become a Bahá'í in Winnipeg.) and a co-worker of Helen Poissant (The 4th person.) [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p12] | Lillian Tomlinson; Ernest Marsh; Helen Poissant; Winnipeg, MB | 1st known Bahá'í in Winnipeg Lillian Tomlinson |
1939 May
193- |
With the assistance of Mabel Ives who extended her travel teaching plans in Toronto, a Bahá'í booth was set up at the Canadian National Exhibition. Over 15,000 pieces of literature were distributed. [OBCC179, 307]
|
Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Canadian National Exhibition; Toronto, ON | |
1939 4 Jun
193- |
In a letter addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles written on behalf of the Guardian he urged them to
"appeal to the government for exemption from active military service in a combatant capacity, stressing the fact that in doing so they are not prompted by any selfish considerations but by the sole and supreme motive of upholding the Teachings of their Faith, which make it a moral obligation for them to desist from any act that would involve them in direct warfare with their fellow-humans oi any other race or nation."
[UD128; CBN 15 September 1950 p2]
|
Exemption; Military (armed forces); Military; * Bahá'í World Centre; United Kingdom | |
1939 16 Jun
193- |
Emeric Sala visited Winnipeg and spoke at a public meeting in the Marlborough Hotel. After that meeting eight attendees determined to form a study group. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p14] | Emeric Sala; Winnipeg, MB | |
1939 25 Jun
193- |
What has been termed the "first international Bahá'í picnic embracing Canada and the United States" was held at Queenstown Heights at the invitation of the Toronto Assembly. It was the brainchild of Howard Ives who was living in Toronto at the time. He and Mabel had "grand-children" on both sides of the border.
|
International Bahá'í Picnic; Howard Ives; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Doris McKay; Willard McKay; John Stearns; Mrs Pettibone; Elizabeth Brooks; Mrs Marguerite Firoozi; Lulu Barr; Mrs Enos Barton; John Robarts; Audrey Robarts; Lloyd Gardner; Queenston Heights, ON; Toronto, ON; Jamestown, NY | first international Bahá'í Picnic |
1939 27 Aug
193- |
Gerrard Sluter-Schlutius— German-born, former U-boat captain, enrolled in November of 1932 and was a member of the Montreal Bahá'í youth group. He moved to Toronto in March 1935 and to Guatemala in 1939 as the second overseas pioneer. [OBCC97, 104-105]
|
Gerrard Sluter-Schlutius; Covenant-breaking; Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON; Guatemala; Honduras; Bogota, Colombia | |
1939 early Sept
193- |
Kathy Moscrop, Rowland Estall, Miss Mae McKenna of Vancouver, and Miss Doris Skinner met together in Calgary to discuss the progress of the Faith in Canada. They represented four provinces. During this time a meeting of fifteen non-Bahá'ís was arranged by Miss Skinner, from which a study class was developing. A radio talk was given in Calgary by Dr. Mariette Bolton. Many Bahá'í books were being circulated. [Bahai News No 131 November 1939 p4] | Radio; Calgary, AB; Rowland Estall; Mae McKenna; Doris Skinner; Katherine Moscrop | |
1939 before Sept
193- |
Rowland Estall combined his business travel with teaching visits to Calgary and Regina as well as Vancouver and West Vancouver. He had earlier laid the foundation of his business in visits to Toronto and Montreal, in both of which cities he lectured, as well as in St. Lambert. He also made excellent contacts with two University professors who, with a few others, have started an important social and religious reform movement in Canada and have published a popular textbook of the movement. During July Mr. Estall taught regularly in Winnipeg a study group of six to eight inquirers, following an outline of seventeen lessons which he developed on the World Order, using as a basis of each discussion a different free literature pamphlet which was distributed. The first result of his Winnipeg work was the registration of Miss Lillian Tomlinson. Dr. Mariette Bolton also visited and spoke in Winnipeg to the Quota Club. [Bahai News No 131 November 1939 p4] | Calgary, AB; Regina, SK; Vancouver, BC; West Vancouver, BC; Toronto, ON; Montreal, QC; St. Lambert, QC | |
1939 Sept
193- |
Katherine Moscrop of Vancouver began a series of visits to Regina. She, along with Frances Mennzies and two former members of the Winnipeg Phoenix Club, arranged a fireside for Rowland Estall who was passing through on business. [Bahai News No 131 November 1939 p4] | Regina, SK; Katherine Moscrop | |
1940 (In the year)
194- |
The Canadian Department of National Defence exempted Bahá'ís from combatant military duty. | Exemption; Recognition (legal); Military | |
1940 (In the year)
194- |
Mary E. Fry moved to Edmonton from Vancouver. [OBCC217] | Mary Fry; Pioneer; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC | |
1940 (in the decade)
194- |
The Baha'i group in Edmonton made contact with "liberal Christians, Theosophists, and others [A.Pemberton-Pigott Thesis p3] cited in OBCC217. | Teaching; Edmonton, AB | |
1940 1 Mar
194- |
May Bolles Maxwell (b. 14 January 1940 in Englewood, NJ) passed away in Buenos Aires. [BBD153; TG49]
Shoghi Effendi called her "the spiritual mother of Canada" Montreal "the mother city of Canada. [OBCC35] May Maxwell, the severed teacher firebrand of the love of God and spreader of the fragrances of God Mrs Maxwell, forsook her native land and hastened to the most distant countries out of love for her Master and yearning to sound the call to the Cause of her Lord and her inspiration, until she ascended to the highest summit attaining the rank of martyrdom in the capital of the Argentine. The furthermost boundary the countenances of paradise invoke blessings upon her in the glorious apex saying, may she enjoy with healthy relish the cup that is full and brimming over with the wine of the love of God for the like of this should the travaillers travail. Inform all the friends of the announcement of this mighty victory.[A talk] given by Mr Dunbar 28:08] |
May Maxwell (Bolles); Sutherland Maxwell; Architecture; - Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá; First Bahá'ís by country or area; Montreal, QC | First Bahá'í on European soil. |
1940 Ridván
194- |
Canada's sixth spiritual assembly formed in Hamilton. It did not re-form in 1944. [OBCC177-178, UC16] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Hamilton, ON | |
1940 Jun
194- |
Winnifred Harvey became the first Bahá'í to enrol in the Faith in Ottawa having learned of the Faith in Winnipeg from Rowland Estall. [OBCC185]
Originally she had been attracted to the Faith by publicity from the New History society but rejected the mixture of "truth and superstition". |
Winnifred Harvey; New History Society; Ottawa, ON; Winnipeg, MB | First to enrol in the Faith in Ottawa |
1941 (In the year)
194- |
Long-time Alberta resident Mabel Pine moved to Edmonton from Vermilion. [OBCC:217; Edmonton Bahá'í History]
|
Mabel Pine; Vermillion, AB; Edmonton, AB | |
1941 10 Jan
194- |
Emeric Sala spoke at the Marlborough Hotel again. The chair-person of that meeting was Beth Brooks, who became three months later on April 20, 1942, the seventh local believer. Her declaration was just in time to form the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p18] | Emeric Sala; Winnipeg, MB | |
1941 8 Apr
194- |
The passing of Urbain Joseph Ledoux (b. August 13, 1874 in Ste Hélène de Bagot, Quebec). He was buried in Saint Joseph's Cemetery
Biddeford, Maine.
|
Urbain Ledoux (Mr Zero); Social action; Ste Helene de Bagot, QC; New York, USA; Boston, MA; Washington, DC, USA | |
1941 May
194- |
Lulu Barr pioneered to Saskatoon from Hamilton where she had learned of the Faith from Mabel Rice-Wray Ives two years earlier in May 1939. She stayed for two years with no apparent results. [OBCC186] | Lulu Barr; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Hamilton, ON; Saskatoon, SK | |
1941 Jun
194- |
Dorothy Sheets became the first Bahá'í to enroll in Calgary, AB. [OBCC184] | Dorothy Sheets; Calgary, AB | first Bahá'í to enroll in Calgary, AB. |
1941 20 Jun
194- |
The passing of Howard Colby Ives (b. 11 Oct 1867, Brooklyn, New York, d. Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA). He was buried in Pinecrest Memorial Park and Garden Mausoleum, Alexander, Saline County, Arkansas. [BW9p608-613; Find a grave]
Some of his works were:
|
Howard Colby Ives; In Memoriam; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON; Travel Teaching | |
1941 28 Jun - 2 Jul
194- |
First summer School in Canada in Montreal was held in three different homes, the Schopflochers', the Salas' and the Maxwells'. Reports of the number of people attending vary from 17 to 25 to 30. Those attending were from Montreal, St. Lambert, Moncton, Hamilton, Toronto, (among them a new believer named John Robarts), Ottawa Rouyn, and Winnipeg. Three non-Bahá'ís also attended and enrolled shortly thereafter.
The varied program provided daily talks and discussions based on the outline 'Deepening the Spiritual Life'; study of the first part of 'The Promised Day Is Come' (led by Miss Winnifred Harvey); separate talks on 'Bahá'í Administration' (Siegfried Schopflocher, Ragnar Mattson, and Lou Boudler); 'Bahá'í Attitude towards Christianity' (Mrs. Agnes King); and 'Post-War Reconstruction' (John De Mille). Lorol Schopflocher contributed an account of her journeys to Central America and the British West Indies, and Emeric and Rosemary Sala gave us stories of their experiences in Venezuela and Columbia. [OBCC268; BW9:28; TG84; BN No 149 December 1941 p5] |
Summer schools; Winnifred Harvey; Siegfried Schopflocher; Ragnar Mattson; Lou Boudler; Agnes King; John De Mille; Lorol Schopflocher; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; John Robarts; Montreal, QC | First summer School in Canada in Montreal |
1941 (Summer)
194- |
The war years brought an unexpected development in the Bahá'í community in Canada. Government restrictions on foreign currency exchange reduced the attendance by Canadian Bahá'ís at the Green Acre and Geyserville summer schools in the United States. After the 1941 National Convention, Rowland Estall was charged with the start—up of Bahá'í summer schools and conferences in Canada. With the financial help of Siegfried Schopfiocher, the first such gathering took place in Montreal from late June to early July of that year. A month later the Ontario Bahá'ís hosted a summer school at Rice Lake, and a summer session took place in Vernon, British Colombia. From then on summer schools became a regular feature of Canadian Bahá'í life. [BWM48-49] | Summer schools; Montreal, QC; Rice Lake, ON; Vernon, BC | |
1941 3 - 9 Aug
194- |
The Spiritual Assembly of Toronto held it first annual Ontario summer school at Glen Lynden Farm, Rice Lake. 29 attended. The general theme was "Our Colossal Responsibility." They were blessed by a cablegram from Shoghi Effendi saying that he was delighted, and praying for success of the Ontario Summer Session. [TG84; BN No 149 December 1941 p6; OBCC164,268]
See photo at Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh |
Summer schools; Rice Lake, ON | 1st summer school in ON |
1941 29 - 31 Aug
194- |
First Summer School in Vernon, BC. Less than 20 attended. [OBBC 164,268] | Summer schools; Vernon, BC | First Summer School in Vernon, BC |
1942 (Early in the year)
194- |
Lucille C. Gisome, a civil servant, enrolled in the Faith, probably through her friendship with Winnifred Harvey. She was an African Canadian. She was a delegate to the 1942 National Convention. [OBCC186]
|
Lucille Gisome; National Convention; Winnifred Harvey; Ottawa, ON; Toronto, ON | |
1942 (In the year)
194- |
Muriel Warnicker moved to Edmonton from Vancouver and Marcia Atwater moved to Edmonton from the United States.[ OBCC217] There were only a few isolated Baha'is living in Alberta. [A.Pemberton-Pigott Thesis p8] | Muriel Warnicker; Marcia Atwater; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC | |
1942 (In the year)
194- |
In the Baha'i group in Edmonton as in other groups, it was not uncommon to find women among the first believers or "pioneers." Although there was a Baha'i group in Edmonton in 1911, apparently the Bahá'í community has been in continuous existence only since 1940. [OBCC152]
|
Anne McGee; Lyda Martland; Milwyn Davies; Kay Rimell; Anita Ioas; Anita Chapman; Edmonton, AB | |
1942 (In the year)
194- |
Four others joined the Faith in Edmonton in 1942. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] | Enrollment; Edmonton, AB | |
1942 (In the year)
194- |
Charles Nealy Murray and Grace Geary, an early pioneer to PE, participated in the first Feast held in Charlottetown, PE. [OBCC117] | Feast; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | first Feast held in Charlottetown, PE. |
1942 Ridván
194- |
The first Spiritual Assembly was formed in Winnipeg, the eighth in Canada. Members were: Beth Brooks, Ernest Court, Rowland Estall, Sylvia King, Sigrun Lindal, Ernest Marsh, Stella Pollexfen, Helen Poissant, and Lillian Tomlinson (later Prosser). [OBCC227]
|
Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Beth Brooks; Ernest Court; Rowland Estall; Sylvia King; Sigrun Lindal; Ernest Marsh; Stella Pollexfen; Helen Poissant; Lillian Tomlinson; Winnipeg, MB | |
1942 Ridván
194- |
Canada's sixth and seventh spiritual assemblies formed in Halifax, NS, Hamilton, ON. [OBCC177] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Halifax, NS; Winnipeg, MB; Hamilton, ON | |
1942 c. Mid-year
194- |
Evelyn Cliff of Vancouver found a teaching job in Calgary and moved there accompanied by Anne McGee, a member of the Vancouver Youth Group. In October Sylvia King relocated from Winnipeg to join Evelyn, Anne and Doris Skinner. [fBN155 August 1942 p5] | Evelyn Cliff; Anne McGee; Sylvia King; Doris Skinner; Calgary, AB; Vancouver, BC; Winnipeg, MB | |
1942 c. Summer
194- |
A Winnipeg believer, Ernest Court, spent four months in Regina as part of Winnipeg's outreach program. He had frequent assistance from his home community. [BN 155 August 1942 p5] | Ernest Court; Regina, SK; Winnipeg, MB | |
1942 Summer
194- |
A week-long summer school was held at the family farm of Paul Sala in Rivière Beaudette, QC with Dr Glen Shook as guest speaker. [TG84] | Summer schools; Paul Sala; Riviere Beaudette, QC | |
1942 Sep
194- |
Ina Trimble, a widow, was the first Edmonton resident to become a Bahá'í (Edmonton Bahá'í Community 2012)." Shortly after in the same year, four people from Edmonton became Baha'is. [OBCC217; Edmonton Bahá'í History] | Enrollment; Edmonton, AB | the first Edmonton resident to become a Bahá’í |
1943 2 Feb
194- |
Visiting Bahá'í speaker had to engagement on this day. In the afternoon he spoke to the Inter-Racial Fellowship in the George William Room at the UMCA on the topic of "Races and Equalitiy". In the evening he gave a public lecture in the Marlborough Hotel on the topic "This Earth One Country". [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p40] | Emeric Sala; Winnipeg, MB | |
1943 Apr
194- |
As of this date the Edmonton Bahá'í Community had formed a Spiritual Assembly, the ninth Local Spiritual Assembly in Canada. It was composed entirely of women. [OBCC217; Edmonton Bahá'í History]
|
Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Edmonton, AB | |
1943 18 Jun
194- |
The passing of Mabel Rice-Wray Ives (Rizwanea) (b. in St. Louis, MI in 1878) in Oklahoma, OK. She was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery. [BW9p616]
She first heard of the Faith at the age of 21 in 1899 under miraculous circumstances. [Mabel Ives & The Mysterious Trolley Car Ride] In 1903 she married Theron Canfield Rice-Wray and they lived in California from 1909 to 1914 where her marriage ended and she returned to the East. In 1919 she met Howard Colby Ives and they married in 1920. They teamed with another couple, Grace and Harlan Ober as well as Doris and Willard McKay in both business and the teaching work, moving from one virgin territory to another.
See the story of how Mabel resolved the situation when she could no longer tolerate the itinerate lifestyle in the story When Mable Ives Could Endure No More, She Prayed . In 1937, the suggestion was made that Moncton, New Brunswick would be a fertile ground for the Cause. The Ives went. During the first six weeks of her stay, Mrs. Ives gave public lectures, radio addresses and formed a study class. She introduced the Faith to St. John, N.B., Halifax, N.S. and Charlottetown, P. E. I. Her untiring efforts, led to Moncton, NB forming the first Spiritual Assembly in the Canadian Maritimes, April 21st, 1937. In spite of Howard's failing health, they travelled to Toronto in November of 1938 for ten months to assist in the formation of Toronto's first Spiritual Assembly. Rizwanea served on that new Spiritual Assembly until she left Canada. She gave more than 150 lectures in Toronto and 70 in Hamilton, Ontario, Toronto's expansion goal. Howard, although experiencing heart problems and rapidly losing both his sight and hearing complemented her abilities by doing personal deepening with receptive souls downstairs, while she would be presenting the Teachings upstairs. See the tribute paid to her in the Canadian Bahá'í News No 202 November 1966 p4. |
Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; In Memoriam; Moncton, NB; Halifax, NS; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON | |
1943 12 Nov
194- |
The Edmonton Baha'i community organized a Race Unity meeting with Muslims, Jews, Ukrainians and one Chinese in attendance. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] | Race unity; Interfaith dialogue; Edmonton, AB | |
1944 Ridván
194- |
Those elected to serve the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada were: George 0. Latimer (Chairman), Allen B. McDaniel (Vice), Horace Holley (Secretary), Louis G. Gregory (Recording Secretary), Roy C. Wilhelm (Treasurer), Dorothy Baker. Amelia E. Collins, Philip G. Sprague, Leroy loss. The Assembly appointed Siegfried Schopflocher to serve as the Treasurer of the Canadian Bahá'í Fund. [BN No 169 July 1944 p2]
|
National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Horace Holley; Louis G. Gregory; Roy C. Wilhelm; Dorothy Baker; Amelia Collins; Philip G. Sprague; Leroy Ioas; Siegfried Schopflocher; North America | |
1944 Ridván
194- |
Completion of the Seven-Year Plan with 9 spiritual assemblies and 39 localities. (OBCC308] | First Seven Year Plan; Statistics | |
1944 Ridván
194- |
Canada's tenth and eleventh spiritual assemblies formed in Charlottetown, PE and Regina, SK. [OBCC178, 180] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Regina, SK | |
1944 19 - 25 May
194- |
An international celebration of the Centenary of the founding of the Faith was held at the House of Worship in Wilmette.
CANADIAN BAHÁ'Í WHO SIGNED THE 1944 CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION REGISTER Note: The Register had been made by Charles Mason Remey. Approximately 941-971 Bahá'ís signed the Register out of the 1,484 Bahá'ís who registered for the 1944 Centennial Commemoration in Wilmette and Chicago, IL. Most Bahá'ís signed their name and put their city and state, province or country. 1. Charles N. Murray, Ottawa, Canada 2. Madeleine Humbert, Halifax, N.S. 3. Audrey Robarts, Toronto, Canada 4. Beulah S. Proctor, Halifax, N.S. 5. Doris Richardson, Toronto, Canada 6. Laura Romney Davis, Toronto 7. Ethel A. Priestly, Toronto 8. Rena Millie Gordon, Regina, Sask. 9. Siegfried Schopflocher, Montreal 10. Theresa Lillywhite, Regina, Sask. 11. Lotus Peterson, Regina, Sask. 12. Florence H. Cox, Regina, Sask. 13. Edna Colpitts, Moncton, New Brunswick 14. Anna A. McGee, Edmonton, Alta. 15. Emeric Sala, St. Lambert, Canada 16. John A. Robarts, Toronto, Canada 17. Helen Giddin, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada 18. Anita Ioas, Edmonton, Alberta 19. Winnifred Harvey, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 20. Annie B. Romer, Halifax, N.S., Canada 21. I.J. Fox, Vancouver, B.C. 22. Zara B. Phonic, Regina, Sask. [spelling of last name uncertain] 23. Edna M. Hollaway, Charlottetown, PEI 24. Muriel Hutchings, Halifax, N.S. 25. Jean Mosher, St. Lambert, Quebec 26. Maiaret Laurie (Spelling?), St. Lambert, Quebec 27. Rowland Estall, Winnipeg, Manitoba 28. Doris McKay, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 29. Jean Johnston, Winnipeg, ManitobaList prepared from the 1944 Centennial Commemoration Register by Roger M. Dahl, National Bahá'í Archives, United States, June 24, 2021. Some of the handwriting was difficult to read so some of the names or addresses may be misspelled. |
Centenaries; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Chicago, IL | |
1945 (In the year)
194- |
Emeric Sala's book was This Earth One Country was published by Bruce Humphries Publishers in Boston. The first run was 5,000 copies. It was written with David Hofman as the intended reader in mind. [TGpXI,86, BEL7.2336]
|
Emeric Sala; This Earth One Country; David Hofman | |
1945 c. Mar
194- |
The establishment of the Friends of the Indians Society in Edmonton. Its
chief aims "to assist in the promotion of
better understanding and grealter cooperation between the Indians and the
Canadian people in general" and "to
aid in the establishment of the Indian
people as an important part of Canadian
society." [CBN No63 Apr 1955 p2]
|
Friends of the Indians Society; Edmonton, AB | |
1945 19 Aug
194- |
Lloyd Gardner held the first public Bahá'í meeting in St. John's, NL entitled, "A Bahá'í Lecture on World Unity". [OBCC193] | Lloyd Gardner; Teaching; St. Johns, NL | |
1945 20 Oct
194- |
Emeric and Rosemary Sala of St. Lambert, Quebec departed on a four month tour of Central and South America. They visited 19 republics and Mr Sala gave seventy-nine talks. They visited many pioneers and paid homage at the grave of May Maxwell at Quilmes, about one hour from Buenos Aires. [TG93-101] | Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; May Maxwell; St. Lambert, QC; Travel Teaching | |
1946 (In the year)
194- |
The first male Bahá'í in Edmonton, Roland McGee, arrived with his wife Anne, in 1946. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] | Roland McGee; Anne McGee; Edmonton, AB | |
1946 (In the year)
194- |
The Beaulac property, near Rawdon was purchased by Rosemary and Emeric Sala in partnership with Freddie Schopflocher with the intention of establishing a winter school. Bill Suter, a Swiss immigrant, was appointed as the caretaker. [TG108]
|
Summer schools; Beaulac, QC; Beaulac, QC | first endowment of the National Spiritual Assembbly |
1946 - 1950
194- |
Helen Poissant who had learned of the Faith in Winnipeg from Lillian Tomlinson, pioneered to Saskatoon. [OBCC186] | Helen Poissant; Lillian Tomlinson; Pioneering; Winnipeg, MB; Saskatoon, SK | |
1946 Ridván
194- |
The Second Seven Year Plan of the United States and Canada (1946-1953) was launched. [BBR180; BBRSM158, 185; MA87-89, MA89]
|
Seven Year Plan; - Teaching Plans | |
1946 23 - 25 Nov
194- |
A Public Campaign was held in Winnipeg.
Due to the participation of Audrey Robarts many prominent people attended some of the events including the wife of the Lieutenant-Governor of the province. |
Edris Rice-Wray; Emeric Sala; Audrey Robarts; Ross Woodman; Winnipeg, MB | |
1946 25 Nov
194- |
A large public meeting was sponsored by the Bahá'í Public Relations Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada. It was held in the Concert Hall of the Winnipeg Auditorium and was attend by more than four hundred people. The speakers were Edris Rice-Ray, an American and Emeric Sala, a Canadian. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p18] | Edris Rice-Wray; Emeric Sala; Winnipeg, MB | |
1947 (In the year)
194- |
The purchase of the Beaulac site, Canada's first nationally owned summer and winter school site. This site would serve the community until the early 70's.(OBCC164, BNNov1947p10-11] | Summer schools; Winter schools; Beaulac, QC | First nationally-owned summer and winter school property. |
1947 Ridván
194- |
The formation of the twelfth and thirteenth spiritual assemblies in Canada in Scarborough, ON and Vernon, BC. [OBCC178] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Scarborough, ON; Vernon, BC | |
1947 Ridván
194- |
In 1937 there had been 18 localities and 2 spiritual assembly. Ten years later there were 38 localities and 13 spiritual assemblies. [OBCC178] | Statistics | |
1947 18 Jul
194- |
Melba Loft, (née Whetung), a Chippewa, became a Bahá'í while she was living in Michigan. She was the first Native Canadian to become a Bahá'í. [A Selected timeline related to the history of the Baha'is of Alberta]
|
Melba Loft | First Canadian First Nations Bahá'í to enrol in the Faith in Canada. |
1947 Oct
194- |
Noel Wuttunee (Eagle's Tail Feathers) a Cree from Calgary was the first Indigenous Canadian to join the community. [Bahá'í Canada Site; OBCC153]
|
Noel Wuttunee; Eagles Tail Feathers; Prairie Indian Committee; Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB | First Indigenous person to become a Bahá'í in Canada |
1947 7 Oct
194- |
The first Bahá'í wedding in Winnipeg took place between Rowland Estall and Yvonne Killins. Ross Woodman officiated, and the event was held at "the Business and Professional Women's Club". [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] | Rowland Estall; Yvonne Killins; Ross Woodman; Winnipeg, MB | first wedding between Bahá'ís in Winnipeg |
1947 Oct
194- |
Rowland Estall and his new wife Yvonne pioneered to St Boniface, a goal area for the Winnipeg community, along with Shirley Nichelson and Ted Whitely. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19]
Note: On 1 January 1972, the city of Winnipeg amalgamated with old Winnipeg and Metro along with the rural municipalities of Charleswood, Fort Garry, North Kildonan, and Old Kildonan; the Town of Tuxedo; the cities of East Kildonan, West Kildonan, St. Vital, Transcona, St. Boniface, and St. James-Assiniboia into one city. |
Rowland Estall; Yvonne Terrill Estall; Shirley Nichelson; Ted Whitely; Winnipeg, MB; St. Boniface, MB | |
1947 Nov
194- |
Noel Wuttunee and Gerda Chrostopherson, both who had recently moved from Calgary, accepted the Faith and were married in Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] | Noel Wuttunee; Gerda Christofferson; Marriage; Winnipeg, MB; Calgary, AB | |
1947 Dec
194- |
Earnest Court, a member of the first Spiritual Assembly of Winnipeg, passed away and was given the first Bahá'i funeral in Winnipeg. It was conducted by his good friend, Rowland Estall. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] | In Memoriam; Earnest Court; Rowland Estall; Winnipeg, MB | he first Bahá'i funeral in Winnipeg. |
1948 1 Feb
194- |
The election of the 12th, 13th 14th, and 15th and spiritual assemblies in Ottawa, Scarboro, West Vancouver and Victoria. [OBCC224, 223, 219, 308] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Ottawa, ON; West Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Scarborough, ON | |
1948 1 Feb
194- |
The first Regional Conventions were held to elect delegates to the upcoming first National Convention. [OBCC308] | Conventions; Conventions, District | first Regional Conventions |
1948 Ridván
194- |
The following were elected to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Montréal: Siegfried Schopflocher, Gwen Inwood, Arthur Irwin, Milli Tina Gordon, Eddie Elliot, Adline Lohse, Bert Rakovsky; Amine De Mille; and René Roy. [OBCC146, 153] | Local Spiritual Assembly, election; Siegfried Schopflocher; Gwen Inwood; Arthur Irwin; Milli Tina Gordon; Eddie Elliot; Adline Lohse; Albert Rakovsky; Amine De Mille; René Roy; Montreal, QC | |
1948 24 - 25 Apr
194- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Dominion of Canada was established. [BBRSM:186; BW13:856; MBW143; PP397; BW11p20]
|
National Spiritual Assembly; National Convention; Laura Davis; Rowland Estall; Lloyd Gardner; Doris Richardson; John Robarts; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; Siegfried Schopflocher; Ross Woodman; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Montreal, QC | first National Convention |
1948 Ridván
194- |
The newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada launched a Five Year Plan (1948-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]
|
- Teaching Plans; Greenland; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | |
1948 May
194- |
James Loft, a Mohawk from near Belleville became a Bahá'í, according to OBCC62, the first Native to enroll.
|
James Loft; Jim Loft; Belleville, ON | |
1948 7 - 14 Aug
194- |
First Baha'i conference held at Franklin Camp. Georgian Bay, Ontario. See photo. [Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh | Summer schools; Georgian Bay, ON | |
1948 Oct - Jan
194- |
When Ottawa was a goal with only five believers, week after week, John Robarts took the Friday night train from Toronto to Ottawa and returned in time for work Monday morning. He rarely addressed public meetings and did not always lead the local fireside but he was there. His intensive effort was directed to this one need, his absorbing and sincerely loving interest in the enquirers, his enthusiasm for the Faith bore fruit and the Ottawa Spiritual Assembly was formed four months after his visits began. He had followed the same personal teaching plan that had be so successful in Hamilton. In neither place did he accomplish the task single-handedly. He was supported by the friends, and he supported them. [CBN No 72 Jan 1956 p4] | John Robarts; Teaching; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Ottawa, ON | |
1949 (In the year)
194- |
Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed in Calgary and Veron, the 16th and 17th to be established. [CBN No 46 November, 1953 p2] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Calgary, AB; Vernon, BC | |
1949 Jan (Late)
194- |
Jim and Melba Loft and their children, Sam, Arthur and Evelyn returned to Tyendinaga First Nation from Marysville Michigan. [RT43] |
Jim Loft; Melba Loft; Sam Loft; Arthur Loft; Evelyn Loft; Tyendinaga First Nation, ON | |
1949 Apr
194- |
Find details of the National Convention and election.
An address entitled "Consultation - An Adventure in Mature Discussion" was delivered by Elsie Austin. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p6] |
National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Elsie Austin | |
1949 Ridván
194- |
The second Canadian Bahá'í National Convention was held in Winnipeg, at Girl Guide House on Osborne Street North. The Winnipeg Bahá'í Community was by then one of seventeen Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada.
A Public Congress in association with the Convention was held in the Art Gallery in the Civic Auditorium.
An address entitled "Consultation - An Adventure in Mature Discussion" was delivered by Elsie Austin. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p6] In nine years Winnipeg had gone from a Bahá'í goal to the host of the Bahá'í Community of Canada for its National Convention. At that time it had the highest rate of annual growth in the Bahá'í Community of Canada, suggesting a vitality not found in but few other communities. About one quarter of the new converts between 1937 and 1947 went pioneering. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p20; OBCC207-210] |
National Convention; Winnipeg, MB | the first National Convention in Winnipeg. |
1949 30 Apr
194- |
The Bill to incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada was passed by both Houses of the Canadian Parliament, and given Royal assent. The act established the name, named the officers as directors, stated the location of the headquarters, defined the objectives, gave it the right to manage the affairs of the Bahá'ís, to make by-laws and to hold property. It was used as a model for registration/incorporation in other states.
|
National Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Recognition (legal); National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Ottawa, ON | |
1949 May
194- |
The annual budget for 106B.E. was set at $15,000. [CBN 14 July 1950 p2] | Annual budget | |
1949 12 Jun
194- |
The tenth Annual International Picnic held at Queenston with 250 attending. Visitors from the United States, India, Trinidad, Barbadoes, and England were present to hear talks by Mrs. Edith MacLaren aod John Howe. [BN No 224 October 1949 p10] | International Bahá'í Picnic; Edith MacLaren; John Howe; Queenston Heights, ON | |
1949 19 Jun
194- |
Shoghi Effendi, in a letter to the new National Spiritual Assembly made first mention of a Hazlratu'l-Quds and a Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in Canada when he wrote:
|
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship) | |
1949 11 Aug
194- |
The first public meeting ever held in Quebec City with Mrs. Hilda Yen Male as the speaker. Publicity was obtained in four newspapers, and a radio inter· view was arranged during which direct questions about the Faith were asked. [BN No 226 December 1949 106BE p9] | Proclamation; Hilda Yen; Québec City, QC | first public meeting in Québec City |
1949 8 Oct
194- |
Margaret Reid of Toronto re-located to St. John's becoming the first Bahá'í pioneer to that province. [BN No 227 January 1950 106BE p5] | Pioneering; Margaret Reid; St. Johns, NL | |
1950's (Early)
195- |
The editor of the Canadian Bahá'í News was Miss Vicki Bond of Montreal. [CBN No 13 May 1950] | Vicki Bond; Canadian Bahá'í News; Montreal, QC | |
1950 26 Mar - 10 Apr
195- |
The British Community needed 22 declarations to complete the goals of their Six Year Plan. The National Spiritual Assembly of Canada sponsored a trip by John Robarts to lend his assistance. During his 13 day stay he visited London, Manchester, Blackpool, Blackburn, Sheffield, Oxford, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow and Edinburgh and witnessed 18 declarations. [CBN No 13 May, 1950 p4] | John Robarts; United Kingdom | |
1950 Mar
195- |
At this time there were 13 local spiritual assemblies in Canada. [CBN 13 May 1950 p12] | ||
1950 Ridván
195- |
The Spiritual Assembly of Forest Hill was established. Members were: Jameson Bond, Alice Hall, Jessie Manser, Marian Ogden, Stewart Ogden, Mildred LePoidevin, Tom LePoidevin, Audrey Robarts, and John Robarts. It was the 18th spiritual assembly to form. [CBN No 14 July 1950 p15] | Local Spiritual Assembly; Jameson Bond; Alice Hall; Jessie Manser; Marian Ogden; Stewart Ogden; Mildred LePoidevin; Tom LePoidevin; Audrey Robarts; John Robarts; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Forest Hill, ON | |
1950 April (Near end)
195- |
After much discussion involving Dagmar Dole, Edna True and the European Teaching Committee, the local assembly of Copenhagen as well as the national spiritual assemblies of the United States and Canada as well as Shoghi Effendi, it was agreed that American Pioneer and violinist Nancy Gates would be transferred from Denmark, where she had been for three years, to the Canadian overseas goal in Greenland. [Citizens of the World: A History and Sociology of the Bahá'ís from a Globalisation Perspective
by Margit Warburg p203]
|
Pioneer; Nancy Gates; Denmark; Greenland | |
1950 29 - 30 Apr
195- |
The third National Convention was held in Toronto at 22 College Street with 19 delegates and a total of 125 in attendance. Those elected to the National Assembly were: Rowland Estall, (vice-chair) John Robarts, (chair), Emeric Sala, Ross Woodman; Laura Davis, (secretary), Winnifred Harvey, Freddie Schopflocher, (treasurer) Mae McKenna and Rosemary Sala. [CBN No 13 May 1950 p2-3]
|
National Convention; NSA; Rowland Estall; John Robarts; Emeric Sala; Ross Woodman; Laura Davis; Winnifred Harvey; Freddie Schopflocher; Mae McKenna; Rosemary Sala; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Toronto, ON | |
1950 May
195- |
The annual budget for 107B.E. was set at $19,000. [CBN 14 July 1950 p2] | Annual budget | |
1950 Jul
195- |
The first Bahá'í baby in the Ottawa area, Gloria Joyce Tredennick, was born to Mr and Mrs Irving Tredennick. [CBN 15 September 1950 p9] | Gloria Joyce Tredennick; Ottawa, ON | |
1950 (Summer)
195- |
Angus and Bobbie Cowan relocated from Pickering, Ontario to St James, Manitoba. [CBN 15 September 1950 p9] | Pioneer; Angus Cowan; Bobbie Cowan; St. James, MB; Pickering, ON | |
1950 (summer)
195- |
Nan Brandle, formerly of Ottawa, was transferred by the Department of Indian Affairs to their new hospital at Moose Factory, about three miles from Moosonee, ON. The settlement consisted of the hospital, a Hudson's Bay Post, an Anglican Mission, and a Roman Catholic Church. This large hospital will be used as a base for outpost station in the Eastern Arctic. [CBN 15 September 1950 p9]
|
Pioneer; Nan Brandle; Ottawa, ON; Moose Factory, ON; Fisher River, MB; Hodgson, MB; Ohsweken, ON | |
1950 6 - 9 Jul
195- |
The Maritime Summer Conference was held at a tourist home four miles from Wood's Island Ferry with twenty people in attendance. Three courses were given; Laura Davis on the "Thirst for Spirituality" and others by Hedda and Bert Rakovsky on "Character Development" and "Teaching Methods". [CBN15 September 1950 p5] | Maritime Summer Conference; Laura Davis; Hedda Rakovsky; Albert Rakovsky; Woods Island, Prince Edward Island | |
1950 22 Jul - 4 Aug
195- |
The Laurentian Bahá'í School was held at Beaulac. Speakers were Genevieve Coy and Kenneth Christian. [CBN No 13 May, 1950 p5; CBN 15 September 1950 p5-7] | Summer schools; Genevieve Coy; Kenneth Christian; Beaulac, QC | |
Lloyd and Helen Gardner left their home in North York for a travel teaching trip in Western Canada. They cover 7,100 miles and were gone for more than five weeks. [CBN 16 November 1950 p5] | Travel Teaching; Helen Gardner; Lloyd Gardner; North York, ON | ||
1950 (summer)
195- |
The National Public Relations Committee announced that they had obtained the services of a professional publicity agent to assist in a series of campaigns to provide exposure to the Faith Plans included free publicity by radio and press as well a paid advertising by local publicity committees. They also prepared a series of news articles of local press releases. [CBN 15 September 1950 p8] | National Public Relations Committee | |
1950 12 - 19 Aug
195- |
The Ontario Summer Conference was held at Franklin Camp with about 60 persons in attendance. The speaker was John Robarts who spoke on the Covenant and Elsie Austin of Washington DC whose topic was "The Divine Art of Living". [CBN No 14 July, 1950 p14; No 15 September 1950; CBN No19 April 1951 p14] | Summer schools; John Robarts; Franklin Camp, ON | |
1950 20 - 26 Aug
195- |
Bahiyyih and Harry Ford were the guest teachers at the Bahá'í Conference held in Banff and she spoke on the Covenant. Harry's talk dealt with teaching methods. [CBN No 16 November 1950 p3-4] | Summer schools; Bahiyyih Ford; Harry Ford; Banff, AB | |
1950 26 Aug
195- |
Harry Gibson (Ohmilik) became the first Inuit in the Eastern Arctic to hear about the Revelation. His teacher was Jameson Bond on a one-year assignment to Coal Harbour. [CBN No 16 November 1950 p3-4; SDS86-96] | Harry Gibson; Ohmilik; Coral Harbour, NU | the first Inuit in the Eastern Arctic to hear about the Revelation |
1950 Sep
195- |
It was reported that Mr E Blair Fuller was appointed as Canada's first pioneer to Greenland and that he was on his way to take up his post. [CBN15 Septmeber 1950] | Pioneer; Blair Fuller; Greenland | |
1950 22 Oct
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly met with interested Bahá'ís in the Toronto area to report the slow progress of the Five Year Plan and to solicit ideas and take action to remedy the situation. One of the results of the meeting was the appointment of a Pioneer Training Committee to better prepare volunteers for service. [CBN No 16 November 1950 p3] | Pioneer; Training, pioneer; Pioneer Training Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1950 26 Dec - 1 Jan
195- |
A Winter School was held at Beaulac. [CBN 16 November 1950 p7] | Winter schools; Beaulac, QC | |
1950 26 Dec - 1 Jan
195- |
A Winter School was held at Beaulac. [CBN 16 November 1950 p7] | Winter schools; Beaulac, QC | |
1950 30 Dec - 1 Jan
195- |
The National University Teaching Committee sponsored a teaching conference in the home of Audry and Dick Westheuser. Christian, Muslim and Bahá'í students attended. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p4] | Conferences, Teaching; Rice Lake, ON | |
1951 Apr
195- |
The "unofficial" prayer for the Guardian was adopted by the Canadian believers and published in the Canadian Bahá'í News.
will bestow upon Shoghi Effendi all the strength and vigor that will enable him to pursue over a long unbroken period of strenuous labor, the supreme task of achieving, in collaboration with the friends in every land, the speedy triumph of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh. This was adapted from his letter dated the 14th of November 1923
He also had a prayer for the believers:
|
Prayer for Shoghi Effendi; Guardians Prayer | |
1951 21 Jan
195- |
The Ottawa community observed World Religion Day by securing a 15-minute slot on CFRA Radio where Rowland Estall read a script that had been prepared by Winnifred Harvey on the significance of the event. In the evening he spoke at a public meeting at the Chateau Laurier. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p12] iiiii | World Religion Day; Rowland Estall; Winnifred Harvey; Ottawa, ON | |
1951 Apr
195- |
The National Archivist, E V Harrison, on behalf of the Canadian National Archives Committee, made an appeal to the friends to donate Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the Archives. He also provided this quotation from 'Abdu'l-Bahá:
Verily, know, that the letter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá is a hidden mystery and concealed fact; no one is informed of its greatness and importance at these times. But in the course of time and future centuries, the signs thereof will be made manifest, the lights thereof will dawn. The fragrance thereof will be diffused and the greatness, the importance thereof will be known. The truth I say unto thee, that each leaflet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá will be a widespread Book; nay, rather a glistening Gem on the Glorious Crown. Know thou Its value and hold great Its station.[CBN No 19 April 1951 p9] |
Archives; E V Harrision | |
1951 27 - 29 Apr
195- |
Canada's fourth National Convention was held in the Vancouver Hotel. Those elected were; John Robarts (chair), Rowland Estall (vice-chair) Laura Davis (secretary), Emeric Sala (treasurer) Rosemary Sala, Lloyd Gardner, Mae McKenna, Winnifred Harvey, and Siegfried Schopflocher.
|
National Spiritual Assembly; National Convention; Relics; Amelia Collins; John Robarts; Rowland Estall; Laura Davis; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; Lloyd Gardner; Mae McKenna; Winnifred Harvey; Siegfried Schopflocher; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Vancouver, BC; Montreal, QC | |
1951 6 Jun
195- |
Palle B. Bischoff, Canada's Greenland pioneer from Copenhagen, arrived in Egedesminde where he took up his duties as manager of a fishing station. [CBN No 21 August 1951 p2; CBN No 23 November 1951 p5]Should in Greenland the fire of the love of God be ignited, all the ices of that continent will be melted and its frigid climate will be changed into a temperate climate-that is, if the hearts will obtain the heat of the love of God, that country and continent will become a divine garden and a lordly orchard, and the souls, like unto the fruitful trees, will obtain the utmost freshness and delicacy. Magnanimity is necessary, heavenly exertion is called for. |
Pioneer; Palle Bischoff; Egedesminde, Greenland | |
1951 14 Jun
195- |
All will note with interest the increasing use of plays and playlets as a teaching medium. The Montreal community produced one entitled "Fireside Chatter", written by Harold Hamwee. They report "The Maxwell Home was crowded for the event, and it was an exciting evening, not only for the audience, but for the 9 Montreal Bahá'ís in the cast, some of whom had never been on stage before, and were rather surprised to find out that in the new era one also ACTS. The play takes place in the home of a couple who had pioneered to a new city and are holding a fireside. The discussion is typical of most Bahá'í firesides where Bahá'u'lláh's remedies for a better world are discussed. The most outstanding character was Alix, whose thinking was obviously mixed up, but who bravely wore a bright red shirt in honour of her ideas. Rena Gordon deserves praise for the character study of this pathetic but comic figure. Alex had prejudice against everything except names. ·She had no difficulty with the word Bahá'u'lláh. "My own name is Yosopovitch", she said, "which does not includemy three middle names!" The play had no dramatic action, but it had continuity and held the attention of the audience. It presented the Baha'i Faith. to new contacts in a more vivid manner than any speaker could have done." [CBN No23 November 1951 p6] | - Plays; Harold Hamwee; Montreal, QC | |
1951 (In the year)
195- |
Ontario's first all-Bahá'í funerals were held for Mrs E J Gill of Toronto and Arthur Lehman of Hamilton. [CBN No 22 October 1951 p4] | E J Gill; Arthur Lehman; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON | first all-Bahá'í funerals in Ontario |
1951 21 Jul - 3 Aug
195- |
Reginal King and Lowell Johnson were speakers at the Laurentian Summer School. [CBN No19 April 1951 p13] | Summer schools; Reginal King; Lowell Johson | |
1951 Aug
195- |
An anonymous believer provided for a one year scholarship at the University of Saskatchewan for a Bahá'í youth willing to serve as a pioneer in Saskatoon for one year. The scholarship was awarded to Suzanne Pawlowska of Winnipeg. [CBN No 21 August 1951 p2] | Scholarship; Suzanne Pawlowska; Saskatoon, SK | |
1951 Aug
195- |
For a list of Local Spiritual Assemblies and National Committees see CBN No21 August 1951 p4-5. | Local Spiritual Assembly; National Committees | |
1951 4 - 11 Aug
195- |
The Ontario Summer School was held at the Blue Mountain Lodge. The weekly group numbered 37, with many visitors dropping in for a shorter period. Owing to a serious accident to his son, Mr. Curtis Kelsey was unable to be present as originally planned, but Mrs. Margery McCormick, out of her great love for Canada, came directly from Louhellen to give a wonderful course on 'The Seven Valleys". "Administration" was the second major subject, co-ordinated by Lloyd Gardner, with various speakers. An added feature was introduced this year when Nancy Campbell gave three periods on "Platform Technique While Speaking in Public". [CBN No 19 April 1951 p13; CBN No 23 November 1951 p6] | Summer schools; Curtis Kelsey; Rex King (Reginald King); Margery McCormick; Lloyd Gardner; Nancy Campbell; Collingwood, ON | |
1951 26 Aug - 2 Sep
195- |
The Prairie Regional Teaching Conference was held at the Holliday House in Banff. They continued to use this venue until 1967 when the summer school were held at what become to be the Sylvan Lake Baha'i Centre. [CBN No19 April 1951 p13] | Summer schools; Banff, AB | |
1951 27 - 31 Aug
195- |
More than 30 people attended the Banff Conference which was held at Holliday House Mrs. Helen Bishop, of Portland, presented a masterly course on The Book of Certitude, Mr. Bob Donnelly, of Regina, gave some very enlightening information of pioneering, substantiated by carefully prepared maps and diagrams. The children presented "A Child Shall Lead Them", under the guidance of Lulu Barr, of Regina. The Calgary believers were responsible for the daily devotions, and several plays, written by Alan Fraser of West Vancouver, were produced in an impromptu manner. The public meeting, held on the 31st of August, at which Helen Bishop was the speaker, attracted a number of local residents, one cf whom asked the Bahá'ís to hold a monthly fireside in his home. [CBN No 22 Oct 1951 p4] | Conferences, Teaching; Helen Bishop; Bob Donnelly; Lulu Barr; Alan Fraser; Banff, AB | |
1951 1 - 2 Sep
195- |
John Robarts was the guest speaker at the Laurentian Bahá'í School. He stressed the unique privilege Bahá'ís have today of bringing a Divine Plan to a chaotic world. The three letters'---"of the Guardian, "God-Given Mandate", written in 1946, "Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour (1947) and "Citadel of Baha'u'llah (1948) were discussed. Sixteen people from Montreal, Toronto, London and Kingston were present. [CBN No 23 November 1951 p6] | Laurentian Bahá'í School, Quebec; John Robarts; Beaulac, QC | |
1951 8 - 9 Sep
195- |
A two-day Teaching Conference was held in West Vancouver and was attended by representative of all BC communities. The visiting speakers were Helen and Charles Bishop of Portland, and Mark Tobey, of Seattle. The topics were Knowledge and Faith. [CBN No 22 October 1951 p5] | Conferences, Teaching; Helen Bishop; Charles Bishop; Mark Tobey; Vancouver, BC | |
1951 Oct
195- |
For a list of National Committees complete with their mandates see CBN No 22 October 1951 p6-8.
For a list of functioning local spiritual assemblies see CBN No 22 October 1951 p8. |
National Committees; Local Spiritual Assemblies | |
1951 Oct
195- |
An article entitled The Spiritual Significance of the Shrine of the Báb was printed in CBN No 220 October 1951 p1. The following contracts have been made for the completion of the project: $63,000 for the stone work of the octagon, $5,065 for the metal frames for the windows, $130,000 for cement, steel and stone for the remaining portion of the building plus miscellany for total of $203,965. | Báb, Shrine of; * Bahá'í World Centre | |
1951 22 Oct
195- |
After two preliminary meetings, the Montreal District Youth Group got away to a good start. Under the direction of John Pollitt, of St. Lambert, this group reviewed Prescription for Living. There were plans to do something by way of social activity during the coming season and every effort was made to interest young people in Bahá'í activity. [CBN No 25 January 1952 p8] | Montreal District Youth Group; John Pollitt; Montreal, QC | |
1951 24 Dec
195- |
Shoghi Effendi appointed Sutherland Maxwell among the first contingent of Hands. [MoCxxiii] | Sutherland Maxwell; * Hands of the Cause; Haifa, Israel | |
1951 26 Dec - 2 Jan
195- |
Beaulac Winter School. [CBN No 23 November 1951 p 5]
|
Winter schools; Beaulac, QC | |
1952 (In the year)
195- |
A spiritual assembly was formed in North York, the 19th to form. [CBN No. 46 November, 1953 p2] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; North York, ON | |
1952 5 Jan
195- |
Fred and Jean Graham were registered as Bahá'ís. They had been closely aligned and were sympathetic to the Faith since 1948. [UC33]
|
Fred Graham; Jean Graham; Jeanie Seddon; Orv Seddon; Hamilton, ON | first Bahá'í dynasty in Canada |
1952 10 Jan
195- |
The passing of Honoré Jaxon (b. 1861 as William Henry Jackson in the village of Wingham, ON). He died one month after his eviction from his basement apartment where he hoarded three tons of archival material which he hoped would become a library for the study of the Métis people of Saskatchewan.
See Speechless 4 December 2009 for a chronological biography as well as a bibliography / webliogrphy of other works on him. See NUVO for a photo of his eviction from the New York Daily News archive and a short biography. See as well BFA1p90-93; OBCC18-21, 25-26. |
In Memoriam; Honoré Jaxon; Metis people; New York City, NY | |
1952 29 Feb
195- |
Shoghi Effendi appointed Siegfried Schopflocher among the second contingent of Hands of the Cause of God. [BW12:375–6; CT202–3 MBW20–1; PP254; ZK47]
|
Siegfried Schopflocher; * Hands of the Cause; Haifa, Israel; Montreal, QC | |
1952 25 Mar
195- |
Sutherland Maxwell, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Montreal. (b.14 November, 1874) [DH143; MBW132; PP246]
|
Sutherland Maxwell; Fortress of Mah-Ku; Relics; Báb, Shrine of; In Memoriam; Montreal, QC | |
1952 26 Mar`
195- |
Shoghi Effendi appointed Ruhíyyih Khánum Hand of the Cause of God to replace her father. [UC34] | * Hands of the Cause; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Haifa, Israel | |
1953 29 Mar
195- |
The funeral for Hand of the Cause Sutherland Maxwell was chaired by John Robarts, the then chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.
|
Sutherland Maxwell; John Robarts; Eddie Elliot; Rowland Estall; Horace Holley; Fred Schopflocher; Montreal, QC | |
1952 Apr
195- |
In an article in the Canadian Bahá'í News by Jameson Bond, instructions were given to locate the direction of the Qiblih using the "Great Circle Route". [CBN No 28 April, 1952 p5] | Qiblih; Great Circle Route; Jameson Bond; Canada | |
1952 25 - 29 Apr
195- |
The fifth National Convention was held in the Brunswick Hotel in Moncton, NB. Sixteen delegates and twenty-five observers were in attendance. Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Lloyd Gardener John Robarts, Emeric Sala, Rowland Estall, Laura Davis, Freddy Schopflocher, Rosemary Sala, Winnifred Harvey, and Ross Woodman. [CBN No 28 April 1952 p6; Bahá'í News No 258, August 1952 p10] | National Convention; Moncton, NB | |
1952 14 May
195- |
In a cable to the National Spiritual Assembly the Guardian advised them the he would contribute £2,000 to the future Haziratu'l-Quds. [MtCp153] The National Spiritual Assembly announced that the Hazira Committee would continue its search for a suitable building not exceeding $50,000, [CBN No 31 July 1952 p6] |
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); * Bahá'í World Centre; Canada | |
1952 Aug
195- |
The Ontario Bahá'í Summer School was held at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. [UC35] | Summer schools; Collingwood, ON | |
1952 Aug
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly was actively searching for a property in Toronto to be used as a National Hazíratu'l-Quds. They had $17,000 which included $6,000 that had been a special contribution from the Guardian and other National Spiritual Assemblies. [CBN No 34 October 1952 p2] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1952 (In the year)
195- |
Alan and Evelyn Raynor made and extensive travel teaching tour throughout Western Canada. [CBN No 36 December, 1952 p2; 4] | Travel Teaching; Alan Raynor; Evelyn Raynor | |
1952 25 Sep
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly made a deposit payment of $5,0000 on the purchase of a property at 188 St George Street West in Toronto to become the site of the Haziratu'l-Quds. The full purchase price was $49,500 and they were obliged to by $20,000 by the end of November with the balance mortgaged at 5 1/2% interest for 10 years. [CBN No 34 October, 1952 p2; CBN No 36 December, 1952 p2]
|
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1952 Oct
195- |
It was announced in the Canadian Bahá'í News that Mrs Catherine Jones was the first resident of Saskatoon to accept the Faith. [CBN No 35 November, 1952 p7] | Catherine Jones; Saskatoon, SK | first resident of Saskatoon to accept the Faith |
1952 Oct - 1953 Oct
195- |
Holy Year, "The Great Jubilee", 16 October 1952 to 16 October 1953, was inaugurated. [MBW16-18; BW12:116; DG84; PP409–10; SBR170–1] | Great Jubilee (1952-1953); Holy Years | |
1952 8 Oct
195- |
The Guardian cabled the the Bahá'í world that he had appointed five Auxiliary Boards, one for each continent, to help the Hands of the Cause in their work. The first Auxiliary Board Members were appointed by the Hands under the direction of the Guardian. They were to serve as adjuncts, deputies and advisers to the Hands and to work closely with the National Spiritual Assemblies. [UC35; MBW44, BW13p335] | Auxiliary board members; Haifa, Israel | |
1952 Dec
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly announced that the Hazíratu'l-Quds had been purchased at 188 St George Street in Toronto. [UC36; CBNNo 36 December 1952 p2] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1952 Dec
195- |
Mr. Schopflocher wrote to the Hon. Lester B. Pearson, Minister of External Affairs in Ottawa, to assist us on behalf of Miss Marian Jack, the Canadian pioneer in Sofia, Bulgaria. She would have been 88 years old at this time. Canada did not have diplomatic representation in Bulgaria at this time so, as a Canadian citizen, she came under the responsibility of the British Delegation. NBAD227; [CBN No 36 December 1952 p2] | Sofia, Bulgaria; Bulgaria | |
1952 26 Dec - 1 Jan
195- |
Rosemary Sala spoke about her recent pilgrimage at the Beaulac Winter Session. [CBN No 36 December, 1952 p8] | Winter schools; Rosemary Sala; Beaulac, QC | |
1953 (In the year)
195- |
Spiritual Assemblies were formed in London, Verdum, Saskatoon, Oshawa, St Catharines, Kingston, New Westminster, Westmont, Belleville, Pickering and Etobicoke, the 20th to the 30th to form. [CBN No 46 November, 1953 p2] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; London, ON; Verdun, QC; Saskatoon, SK; Oshawa, ON; St. Catharines, ON; Kingston, ON; New Westminster, BC; Westmount, QC; Belleville, ON; Pickering, ON; Etobicoke, ON | |
1953 (In the year)
195- |
Shoghi Effendi launched the Ten Year Crusade. It called for the settlement of 131 international goal by Canada and the United States. [UC38] | - Teaching Plans; Ten Year Crusade | |
1953 Jan
195- |
A special edition of the Canadian Bahá'í News focused on the purpose of the Haziratu'l-Quds as a symbol of unity and focus that will contribute to the prestige of the Faith. The Guardian asked other National Communities to contribute to the project. [CBN No 35 January 1953; Bahá'í Canada Summer/Fall 2023 p16] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres) | |
1953 (Ridván)
195- |
The close of the Second Seven Year Plan that had been pursued by the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada 1946-1953. Worldwide there were 2,425 localities, 611 Local Spiritual Assemblies, 100 countries,island and dependencies open to the Faith and 12 National Spiritual Assemblies formed. [UC43]
|
Second Seven Year Plan; Statistics | |
1953 Ridván
195- |
Canada and the world embarked on the Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963). See [MtC173-276] for the years 1953-1957.
The objectives of Canada's Plan were:
(signed) Shoghi |
Ten Year Crusade; - Teaching Plans; Israel Branch of the Bahá'ís of Canada; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres) | |
1953 29 - 30 Apr
195- |
The sixth National Convention took place in the Unitarian Church of Forest Hill Village and was attended by sixteen delegates as well as over 100 visitors. Elected were: John Robarts, (chairman), Lloyd Gardner, (treasurer), Rowland Estall, (vice chair), Laura Davis, (secretary), Winnifred Harvey, Emeric Sala, Rosemary Sala, Albert Rakovsky and Audrey Westhaeser. [CBN No 41 June, 1953 p2]
|
National Spiritual Assembly; National Convention; John Robarts; Lloyd Gardner; Rowland Estall; Laura Davis; Winnifred Harvey; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; Albert Rakovsky; Audrey Westheuser; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Toronto, ON | |
1953 29 Apr - 1 May
195- |
The Jubilee Celebration commemorating the Centenary of the birth of the Mission of Bahá'u'lláh was held in the Medinah Temple in Chicago. [CBN No 42 July, 1953 p2]
|
* Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Holy Years; Great Jubilee (1952-1953); Chicago, IL | |
1953
195- |
The Hazira Committee was replaced by The Hazira and Temple Committee. [CBN No 41 June 1953 p2] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Montreal, QC | |
1953 3 - 4- 5- 6- May
195- |
The All-American Intercontinental Teaching Conference was held in Chicago for delifileration on plans designed to establish the Faith in all unoccupied territories of the West and also to adopt measures to assist other National Assemblies. Through the association in this Conference of the four National Spiritual Assemblies of the West, and the consecrated consultation of a great throng of Bahá'ís from Canada, the United States, Central America and South America, the dynamic spirit will be created for the launching of our role in the great World Crusade.
|
Conferences, Teaching; Chicago, IL; Wilmette, IL | |
1953 9 or 10 May
195- |
Following her attendance at the Intercontinental Conference in Wilmette Ruhiyyih Khanum met with Bahá'í friends in her former home. She discussed the donation of the Maxwell House to the National Spiritual Assembly as a shrine and suggested how it might be suitably used.
|
Amelia Collins; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Sutherland Maxwell; Montreal Shrine; Montreal, QC | |
1953 17 May
195- |
Following his attendance at the Intercontinental Conference in Wilmette Hand of the Cause Furutan made a tour of Canada with an interpreter, Mr M Anvar. They visited several communities in Western Canada and attended the Feast of Grandeur in Edmonton. [CBN No 41 June, 1953 p3]
|
* Hands of the Cause; `Alí-Akbar Furútan; Winnipeg, MB; Edmonton, AB; Ottawa, ON; London, ON; Kingston, ON; Moncton, NB; Saint John, NB | |
1953 21 May
195- |
Ruhíyyih Khánum gave the Maxwell home at 1548 Pine Avenue West in Montreal, to the Canadian Bahá'í Community. [UC41] | Montreal Shrine; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Montreal, QC | |
1953 (Ater the Chicago Conference)
195- |
Dr. Stanley Bolton and Mariette Germaine Roy Bolton of Australia visited Canada after the Chicago Conference. Dr. Bolton was the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and he and Mrs. Bolton were both natives of Canada. They visited Toronto and Winnipeg. While in Toronto they addressed two meetings in the Centre and showed pictures of the Australian Summer School, Bolton Place, which was donated to the Faith by the Boltons. [CBN No 42 July 1953 p3-4] | Stanley Bolton; Winnipeg, MB; Toronto, ON | |
1953
195- |
It was reported that with the arrival of Fran Bachynski in Charlottetown they had a sufficient number to complete their Assembly. [CBN No42 July 1953 p4] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Fran Bachynski; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | |
1953 Jun
195- |
Hand of the Cause Siegfried Schopflocher made a tour of Western Canada to inform the friends of his trip to Haifa, his talks with the Guardian and his plans for the Ten Year Crusade. Stops were made in Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton. [CBN No 43 August, 1953 p2] | Hands of the Cause, Activities; Siegfried Schopflocher; Travel Teaching; Winnipeg, MB; Regina, SK; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB | |
1953 14 Jun
195- |
The 12th annual International Picnic was held at Queenston Heights with 300 in attendance. Mrs. Mary Magdalin Wilkin of Youngstown, N.Y., and Bert Rakovsky from Westmount,QC, were the speakers and Arthur Mushlian, Ingersoll, ON., was chairman. Mrs. Stanley Bolton brought greetings from Australia. Through the efforts of the Hambourg Baha'is, the Brass Band of the Six Nations Reserve, Hambourg, N.Y., provided music. The band attracted the attention of other picnickers and between selections manyheard about the Faith from the Bahá'ís. [CBN No 43 August 1953 p2] | International picnic; Queenston Heights, ON | |
1953 20 Jun
195- |
Shoghi Effendi designated the Maxwell home in Montreal as a Shrine. [MtC179; CBN No 45 October 1953 p1] | Montreal Shrine; Montreal, QC | first Bahá'í Shrine in North America |
1953 Jun
195- |
In a message from the Guardian he stated that of all the objective of the Ten Year Plan for Canada, the purchase of the site of the Mother Temple and the settlement of pioneers in the thirteen virgin territories and islands, eleven of which were situated in North America and two in the South Pacific Ocean, may be regarded as the most important. [CBN No 44 September 1953 p1; MC2p181] | Ten Year Crusade | |
1953 28 Jun
195- |
The Hazira Committee reported that the cost of modification of the building at 188 St. George Street to permit public use under Toronto bylaws was exceedingly high. The Guardian was asked for a decision on the advisability of disposing of it for a less costly centre. [CBN No43 August 1953 p3] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1953 (Summer)
195- |
First Bahá'í w@ddmg in London was solemnized between Dorothy Boys and Bob Smith, the Secretary and Chairman of London Assembly. Friends attended from Toronto, Hamilton and Forest. [CBN No 45 October 1953 p5] | Marriage; Dorothy Boys; Bob Smith; London, ON | first Bahá'í wedding in |
1953 c. Jul
195- |
Emmanuel Rock, the first to fill a Canadian post overseas, found employment on a short termcontract as Assistant Audit Officer for the Samoan Government. [CBN No 44 September 1953 p2]
|
Pioneer; Emmanuel Rock; Samoa | |
1953 10 Jul
195- |
The accidental death of Eddie Elliot, the first African-Canadian Bahá'í. He was a hydro-line worker and met his death while working on a high-voltage transformer. [CBN No 45 October, 1953 p4]
|
In Memoriam; Eddie Elliot; Montreal, QC | first Black Canadian Baha'i |
1953 14 Jul
195- |
Gale Keass and Jameson Bond were married in the Maxwell home, the first marriage to be performed there since it was declared a Shrine. [UC43] | Gale Keass; Jameson Bond; Marriage; Montreal Shrine; Montreal, QC | first marriage in the Shrine. |
1953 27 Jul
195- |
Siegfried (Fred) Schopflocher, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Montreal and was buried beside the grave of Sutherland Maxwell in Mount Royal Cemetery at the Guardian's suggestion. He was born in Germany in 1877. [BW12:664-666, LOF390, TG119, CBNS 24 July 2014, Bahá'í Chronicles, SCRIBD, Schopflocher, Siegfried (1877–1953) by Will C. van den Hoonaard; CBN No 43 August 1953 p4; CBN No 44 September 1953 p2; MtC185-187]
|
Siegfried Schopflocher; * Hands of the Cause; Births and deaths; In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Second Contingent; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Montreal, QC | |
1953 Aug
195- |
Douglas Martin became a Bahá'í. [UC43] | Douglas Martin; Toronto, ON | |
1953 8 - 15 Aug
195- |
The annual Ontario Summer Conference was held this year at Geneva Park, Lake Couchiching, a Y.M.C.A. camp. There was an attendance of about 90 for the entire week, with about 120 for the first weekend.
|
Ontario Summer Conference; Stanwood Cobb; Violet Wuerfel; Margery McCormick; Gisela Commanda; Lake Couchiching, ON | |
1953 Sep
195- |
Edythe MacArthur arrived at her post in the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) and took up residence in Tlell. She found employment as a cook on a dude ranch. She was the first pioneer to the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) In 1954 she asked the Guardian for permission to pioneer to Africa and it was granted. [CBN No 45 October 1953 p2; KoB272-273] | Edythe MacArthur; Knight of Bahá'u'lláh; Queen Charlotte Island, BC | |
1953 Sep
195- |
A list of National committees with their mandates and addresses of the secretaries was published in the Canadian Bahhá'í News. [CBN No 44 September 1953 p5] | National Committees | |
1953 2 Sep
195- |
Doris Richardson arrived on Grand Manan Island and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. She remained there until 1974 The first declaration, Arno Chesley, on the island was in 1958. [BW13:452; CBN No 321 November, 1957 p5; KoB276-277; CBN No 45 October 1953 p1] | Doris Richardson; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Arno Chesley; Grand Manan Island, NB | |
1953 5 - 6 - 7 Sep
195- |
Maritime Summer Conference was held during the Labour Day weekend at Little Sands on Prince Edward Island. Bahá'ís from three of the Atlantic Provinces attended-with a total of 18 adults and one youth.
|
Maritime Summer Conference; - Conferences; Peggy Ross; Ernest Harrison; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; - Plays; Spiritual Assembly's Growing Pains (play); Little Sands, Prince Edward Island | |
1953 8 Sep
195- |
Jameson and Gale Bond arrived in Arctic Bay in the District of Franklin and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. They stayed until 1955. They were in Cambridge Bay from 1955 until 1962 and then Mr Bond served as the Northern Services Officer, the first to hold this government position. [BW13:451, SDSC127; KoB264-268] | Jameson Bond; Gale Bond; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Arctic Bay, NU; Cambridge Bay, NU | |
1953 17 Sep
195- |
Dick Stanton arrived in Baker Lake on the 17th of September to become a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Keewatin. He was forced to leave in November of 1958 but Ken and Mary McCulloch to maintain the post. In the early 1960's Dick pioneered to China for five years. [CBN No 45 October 1953 p2; CBN No 47 December 1953 p1; KoB263-264 ]
|
Knight of Bahá'u'lláh; Dick Stanton; Ken McCulloch; Mary McCulloch; Baker Lake, NU | |
1953 20 Sep
195- |
The North Atlantic Regional International Picnic was held at the Kappus Farm, McClen Road, in Burt, New York. [CBN No 33 September 1953 p2] | International picnic; Burt, NY | |
1953 22 Sep
195- |
Kathleen Weston MacLeod moved from her pioneering post in Charlottetown to the Magdalene Islands. She was followed by her husband Ernest. Although she was qualified as a nurse she was unable to work at the Catholic hospital and so took a job as a temporary replacement for the teacher in an English school. The local minister launched a rumour campaign against her and so she called a meeting of the parents of her school to reveal that she was a Bahá'í and to explain the tenants of the Faith. They expressed their overwhelming support for her in oppositions to the minister's efforts to have her teacher's permit revoked and to have her leave the Island. Because she was not able to find employment she departed on the 22nd of December and was replaced by Kay Zinky in February 1954. She was an American from Colorado Spring, Colorado, whose husband, a non-Bahá'í, supported her during her stay of one year, until February 1954. Margaret and Larry Rowdon with their daughter Ayn arrived in the summer of 1954. They stayed until 1969. During this time the rest of their children, Leslie, Ruth, Devin, Karen and Bret were born. [CBN No 49 Feb 1954 p2; CBN No 54Jul 1954 p2] [CBN Vol 18 No 1 May 2005 p24-26; HB25; BW13:453; KoB278-280] The first person to declare on the Magdalens was Carole Bates, originally from Nova Scotia. [HB116] |
Kathleen Weston; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Kay Zinky; Margaret Rowdon; Larry Rowdon; Ayn Rowdon; Carole Bates; Ernest MacLeod; Magdalen Islands, QC | first person to declare on the Magdalens was Carole Bates |
1953 23 Sep
195- |
Ted and Joan Anderson arrived in Whitehorse, Canada, and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Yukon. The first local spiritual assembly was elected in 1959. When they left in 1972 there were some 400 Bahá'ís in the area. [BW13:457; KoB255263; LynnEchvarria2008p57; CBN No46 Nov 1953 p3]
|
Ted Anderson; Joan Anderson; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Susan Rice; Marion Jack; Emogene Hoagg; Orcella Rexford; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Whitehorse, YT | |
1953 26 - 27 Sep
195- |
In Toronto over 70 Bahá'ís from 15 localities registered for the conference. A wall-size map of the province, with the assemblies and goals marked, provided visual aid in grasping the scope of the task facing the Bahá'ís of Ontario. [CBN No 46 November 1953 p5] | Conferences, Teaching; Toronto, ON | |
1953 26 - 27 Sep
195- |
In Winnipeg, where the conference met in the Cowan home, relaxation from more serious discussion was achieved by a play "The Fireside Wood is Green" presented by the Community Players. [CBN No 46 November 1953 p5] | Conferences, Teaching; Winnipeg, MB | |
1953 Oct
195- |
Noland Boss arrived Yellowknife (MacKenzie District). Noland was one of the first believers to arise during the Ten Year Crusade, and to travel from his home community in the Okanagan Valley north to the frontier town of Yellowknife which was a twentieth century version of a nineteenth century mining camp. Here amidst a floating and ever changing population, Noland found employment and in later years to it he brought his bride. In the years that have followed, Noland and Bernice established their home and raised their family and, with undeviating steadfastness, have remained at their post. Other pioneers to Yellowknife were Ted Blencowe (1954 September) and later his wife, Helen, and Don and Midge Ulery, as well as Arthur and Lily Anne Irwin. [CBN No57 Oct 1954 p1; CBN No 207 Apr 1967 p8] |
Noland Boss; Bernice Boss; Ted Blencowe; Helen Blencowe; Midge Ulery; Don Ulery; Yellowknife, NT | |
1953 Oct
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly announced that the property that had been purchased the previous year at 188 St George Street West in Toronto had been sold. It proved to be impractical to alter the building to suit the needs.
|
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Toronto, ON | |
1953 Oct
195- |
Florence Mayberry of Santa Paula, California made a tour of Western Canada with stops in Victoria, Vernon, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary, Regina, Moose Jaw and Brandon. [CBN No 47 December, 1953 p4] | Florence Mayberry; Travel Teaching; Victoria, BC; Vernon, BC; Saskatoon, SK; Winnipeg, MB; Calgary, AB; Regina, SK; Moose Jaw, SK; Brandon, MB | |
1953 Oct
195- |
Mrs (Alexandra) Ola Pawlowska arrived in St Pierre and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Miquelon Island and St Pierre Island. [BW13:454; KoB282-283; CBN No 46 November 1953 p5]
|
- Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Ola Pawlowska; Miquelon Island; St. Pierre and Miquelon | |
1953 Oct
195- |
John Robarts (1901 – 1991) and Audrey Robarts, who had become Bahá'ís in 1937 in Toronto, pioneered to Bechuanaland (Botswana) with their children, Patrick and Tina. Aldham pioneered to West Africa. [Bahá'í Community of Canada. "John Robarts." Baha'i Historical Figures; CBN No 47 December, 1953 p1]
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John Robarts; Audrey Robarts; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Tina Robarts; Patrick Robarts; Aldham Robarts; Toronto, ON | |
1953 12Oct
195- |
Irving and Grace Geary arrive at their pioneer post on Cape Beton Island and took up residence in Baddeck and later moved to Sydney. They stayed on the island until 1961. They learned of the Faith from Mabel Ives who made a teaching trip to Moncton, NB where they were living in 1937. [KoB280-282]
|
Irving Geary; Grace Geary; Frederick Allen; Jeanne Allen; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Cape Breton Island, NS; Baddeck, NS; Sydney, NS | |
1953 7 Nov
195- |
At a National Assembly meeting in Montreal the Hazira ·and Temple Committee reported on a proposed purchase was discussed in detail and some questions on it were referred to the Guardian. [CBN No 47 December 1953 p2] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Montreal, QC | |
1953 20 Nov
195- |
The establishment and legal recognition of the Israel Branch of the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly, known as a 'Religious Society' by the Israeli Civil Authorities. This entity was empowered to hold title to immovable property without restriction in any part of the country on behalf of the parent Assembly. Such arrangements were made for the National Spiritual Assemblies of Britain, Iran, and Australia as well. This was the 7th goal of Canada's part of the Ten Year Crusade. [MtC174, 204, 213; CBN No 61 February, 1955 p1]
|
Israel Branch of the Bahá'ís of Canada; Haifa, Israel; * Bahá'í World Centre | |
1953 19 Dec
195- |
Rosemary and Emeric Sala resigned from the National Spiritual Assembly and their to go pioneering. The National Spiritual Assembly had to transfer the National Teaching Committee from Montreal to Toronto and make changes to the regional teaching committees in both Ontario and Québec. [CBN No 39 February 1954 p2; CBN No 49 February 1954 p2] | National Spiritual Assembly; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; St. Lambert, QC | |
1953 26 Dec - 3 Jan
195- |
A winter session was held at Beaulac. A maximum of 30 people were accommodated. Priority was given to those able to spend the entire week. For those who could not be there full-time, a weekend session was arranged from evening dinner on Dec. 31 to lunch on Jan. 3. [CBN No 47 December 1953 p2] | Winter schools; Beaulac, QC | |
1953 c. Dec
195- |
The legal transfer of the ownership of the Maxwell House was transferred to the National Spiritual Assembly. {CBN No 45 October 1953 p2] | Montreal Shrine; Montreal, QC | |
1954 (In the year)
195- |
The passing of Mrs Christine Monroe, the first Bahá'í in West Vancouver. She passed away at the age of 94. [CBN No 80 September, 1956 p2] | Christine Monroe; In Memoriam; West Vancouver, BC | first Bahá'í in West Vancouver |
1954 (In the year)
195- |
The passing of Christine Monroe at the age of 94. She was the first Bahá'í in West Vancouver. [CBN No 80 September 1956 p2] | Christine Monroe; West Vancouver, BC | first Bahá'í in West Vancouver |
1954 Jan
195- |
The Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee called for suggestions and preliminary designs for the Canadian Haziratu1-Quds to be built on the site for the Mother Temple of Canada. [CBN No 48 January 1954 p4] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1954 Jan
195- |
John and Audrey Robarts with their two younger children, Patrick and Tina, left Toronto for their pioneer post in Mafeking (later Mafikeng), Bechuanaland (later Botswana and formerly Bophuthatswana). Older children Aldham and Gerald pioneered to Nigeria and a homefront post respectively. [LOF485-6]
|
* Hands of the Cause; John Robarts; Audrey Robarts; Patrick Robarts; Tina Robarts; Gerald Robarts; Auxiliary board members; Canada; Botswana; Nigeria; - Africa | |
1954 Jan
195- |
It was announced that Angus Cowan had been chosen in a by-election to replace John Robarts on the National Spiritual Assembly. [CBN No 49 January 1954 p3] | Angus Cowan; John Robarts; National Spiritual Assembly, By-election; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Toronto, ON | |
1954 14 Jan
195- |
Miss Greta Jankko sailed from Vancouver on the S.S.Oronsay - destination the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. [CBN No49 February 1954 p2]
|
Pioneer; Greta Jankko; Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia | |
1954 14 Jan
195- |
Miss Lilian Wyss, a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand, arrived in Samoa and became an adopted Canadian pioneer. She hoped to obtain employment so that she could remain and hold the goal when Emmanuel Rock's contract expires next January. [CBN No 49 February 1954 p2]
|
Samoa; Lilian Wyss; Pioneer; Apia, Samoa | |
1954 (Early in the year)
195- |
Florence Mayberry made a tour of Eastern Canada with stops in Bellville, Kingston, Montreal, St Lambert, Westmount, Quebec City, Charlottetown, Ingersoll, Hamilton, and Peterborough. [CBN No 51 April, 1954 p5] | Florence Mayberry; Travel Teaching; Belleville, ON; Kingston, ON; Montreal, QC; St. Lambert, QC; Westmount, QC; Québec City, QC; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Ingersoll, ON; Hamilton, ON; Peterborough, ON | |
1954 (Early in the year)
195- |
A by-election was held to replace National Spiritual Assembly members John Robarts, Rosemary Sala and Emeric Sala who had planned on leaving Canada for the Comoro Islands. The new members selected were: Angus Cowan, Peggy Ross and Alan Raynor. Rowland Estall was elected a chairman of the Assembly and Winnifred Harvey was elected to serve as vice-chair. [CBN No 50 March 1954 p2] | National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Angus Cowan; Peggy Ross; Alan Raynor; Rowland Estall; Winnifred Harvey; National Spiritual Assembly, By-election; Toronto, ON | |
1954 6 Feb
195- |
A detailed report on Hazira and Temple properties was presented at the National Spiritual Assembly meeting. A letter from the Guardian requesting purchase by the end of March if possible was discussed. On February 13, three properties were visited and further discussion took place. Suggestions for the Hazira building were examined. It was arranged to send the Guardian immediately a detailed report on progress to date with information on properties believed suitable and on tentative Hazira plans. The Hazira and Temple Committee were asked to prepare additional information on the proposed building and on properties available. [CBN No 50 Mar 1954 p3] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1954 14 Feb
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly gave the Manitoba Regional Teaching Committee to prepare translations of approved literature into Ukrainian. [CBN No 50 Mar 1954 p2]
|
* Translation; Ukrainian; Polish language; Winnipeg, MB | |
1954 Mar - Apr
195- |
Albert Rakovsky, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1953-1956 was the first Bahá'í to visit Anticosti Island. [MtB192-193] | Albert Rakovsky; Anticosti Island, QC | the first Bahá’í to visit Anticosti Island |
25 or 27 Mar
195- |
The passing of Marion Jack (General Jack) at her pioneer post in Sofia, Bulgaria at the age of 87. She was born in Saint John, NB on December 1, 1866. [BWNS385, Never be Afraid to Dare p. 227; BW12p674-677]
|
Marion Jack; General Jack; In Memoriam; Jan Teofil Jasion; Sofia, Bulgaria | |
1954 Apr
195- |
Howard Gilliland, an Air Force captain, arrived in Labrador and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. Because of housing difficulties his family was not able to join him. He left in February of 1955. [BW13:453; KoB269] | Howard Gilliland; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Labrador, NL | |
1954 6 Apr
195- |
Shoghi Effendi called upon the Hands of the Cause to appoint, during Ridván 1954, five auxiliary boards to act as their adjuncts or deputies to work with the national spiritual assemblies to execute the projected national plans. [MBW44, BW13p335; CBN No 53 June, 1954 p6; MBW58-60] | Auxiliary board members; Haifa, Israel | |
1954 10 Apr
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly made a careful study of the Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee and new directives to the committee were formulated. [kCBN No 53 Jun 1954 p3] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1954 21 Apr
195- |
Bruce Matthew came to Canada in 1951 from Scotland via Hertfordshire and moved to Toronto in 1953 where he encountered the Faith after responding to a newspaper in The Toronto Star. The advertisement was for a talk by Laura Davis at a public meeting at the Bahá'í Centre. Willing to go "anywhere" he was asked to move to Goose Bay, NL and arrived on the 21st of April, 1954, the deadline established by Shoghi Effendi for being named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh by Shoghi Effendi. Bruce has an interesting story of his miraculous healing just prior to his boarding the plane for Goose Bay. [KoB270-271]
|
Bruce Matthews; Knight of Bahá'u'lláh; Goose Bay, NL; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; St. Johns, NL; Windsor, ON; Moncton, NB | |
1954 Ridván
195- |
Twenty-six local Spiritual assemblies were formed in Canada. [CBN No 76 May 1956 p6] | Statistics; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation | |
1954 Apr
195- |
They were unable to obtain visas for the Comoro Islands and so Rosemary and Emeric Sala set their new pioneering destination to Basutoland (Lesotho).[CBN No53 Jun 1954 p2] | Pioneer; Rosemary Sala; Emeric Sala; Basutoland | |
1954 30 Apr - 2 May
195- |
The. seventh Canadian Bahá'í National Convention was held at Victoria Hall, Westmount, Montreal. followed by a Teaching Conference held Sunday, May 2nd in the Assembly Hall of the YMCA across the street. The following were elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly: Lloyd Gardner (chair), Allan Raynor, (vice), Audrey Westheuser (sec'y), Peggy Ross, (treasurer), Rolland Estall, Angus Cowan, Winnifred Harvey, Donald MacLaren, Albert Rakovsky. [CBN No 53 June 1954 p3; CBN No 54 July 1954 p1]
|
National Convention; NSA; Lloyd Gardner; Allan Raynor; Audrey Westheuser; Peggy Ross; Rolland Estall; Angus Cowan; Winnifred Harvey; Donald MacLaren; Albert Rakovsky; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Westmount, QC | |
1954 May - Jun
195- |
Rosemary and Emeric Sala departed for their pioneer post in Africa via Cardiff, Wales, Oxford England, and Esslingen, Germany. In Europe they boarded the Kenya Castle and made a stop in Cairo before arriving in Mombassa and taking the train to Nairobi and back. They obtained visas for entry in South Africa in Mozambique, traveled to Durban by bus and then took a bus for the 90 some miles to their destination in Eshowe. [TG122-126]
|
Pioneering; Rosemary Sala; Emeric Sala; St. Lambert, QC | |
1954 May
195- |
The National Archives Committee made an appeal to all assemblies and individuals to keep and record all information relative to the early history of the Cause in their area and to forward copies to the National Archives. They repeated their appeal for the friends to send Tablets that had been received from the Master. [CBN No 52 May 1954 p4] | Archives | |
1954 Jun
195- |
Ted and Joanie Anderson wrote the Guardian and asked him who they should teach. They received this reply:
It was through the participation of the Bahá'í in the Yukon Indian Advancement Association that many of the early Native people became Bahá'ís. [ibid p92] |
Ted Anderson; Joan Anderson; Teaching, Native; Whitehorse, YT | |
1954 Jun
195- |
In June of 1954 it was announced in the American Bahá'í News that the following had been appointed to the Auxiliary Board in North America: Gayle Woolson, Margery McCormick, Katherine McLaughlin, Florence Mayberry, Sarah Pereira, and Rowland Estall by the three Hands of the Cause in North America, Corrine True, Horace Holley and Paul Haney.
|
Auxiliary board members; Gayle Woolson; Margery McCormick; Katherine McLaughlin; Florence Mayberry; Sarah Pereira; Rowland Estall; Elsie Austin; `Alí Nakhjavání; John Robarts; William Sears; Aziz Yazdi | |
1954 14 Jul
195- |
The first Bahá'í wedding in Charlottetown took place on July 14, when Muriel Sheppard and Elwood McLeod were united in marriage by Rowland Estall. They spent a nine-day honeymoon on the Magdalen Islands, where they were able to make some friends and visit Mrs. Kay Zinky, the pioneer there. [CBN No56 Sep 1954 p5] | Marriage; Muriel Sheppard; Elwood McLeod; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | first Baha'i wedding in Charlottetown |
1954 24 Jul
195- |
At the meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly some proposed Temple sites were viewed but no final decision reached. The Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee was commended on its work. [CBN No 56 Sep 1954 p2] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1954 31 Jul - 7 Aug
195- |
The Ontario Summer Conference was held at Geneva Park in Lake Couchiching. Mr Curtis Kelsey lead a discussion on "The World Order Unfolds", Glen Eyford of Winnipeg gave a course on consultation called "The Living Framework" and Harriet Kelsey spoke on "Essential Principles of the Faith. Mr and Mrs Kelsey commemorated the 27th anniversary of their marriage. [CBN No 51 Apr 1954 p4; CBN No 53 Jun 1954 p2; CBN No 56 Sep 1954 p5] | Ontario Summer Conference; Lake Couchiching, ON | |
1954 18 Aug - 6 Oct
195- |
Marjorie Wheeler of Chicago arrived in the Yukon but found it necessary to leave on the 6th of October because of her mother's ill health. [CBN No 117 October 1957 p1] | Pioneering, Yukon; Marjorie Wheeler; Yukon, Canada | |
1954 29 Aug - 5 Sep
195- |
A summer school was held at the Banff School of Fine Arts attracting 41 adults and 12 children. Speakers were Florence Mayberry, who spoke on "Spiritual Dynamics", Ron Nablo, Rex King, (who had just recently pioneered to Anchorage. [CBN No 58 November, 1954 p4] | Summer schools; Florence Mayberry; Ron Nablo; Rex King (Reginald King); Banff, AB | |
1954 Sep
195- |
The annual publication of the list of National Committees and their mandates was published in the September edition of the Canadian Bahá'í News [CBN No 54 Sep 1954 p7-8] | National Committees | |
1954 11 Sep
195- |
A detailed report on the findings of the Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee was sent to the Guardian with a request for further guidance on purchase of a site. [CBN No58 Nov 1954 p3] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1954 12 Sep
195- |
Seventy Bahá'ís and their friends attended a picnic at Kappus Farm, near Newfan, N.Y. The day gave an opportunity to renew friendship "across the border". Mr Allan Reed, chairman of the U.S. National Bahá'í Press Service, spoke on "Proclaiming the Faith", with the use of Audio-Visual Aids. Mr A Tichenor, secretary of the U.S. National Audio-Visual Aids Committee, discussed the effective use of special days for attracting attention to the Faith. [CBN No57 Oct 1957 p2] | International picnic; Newfane, NY | |
1954 17 Sep - 6 Nov
195- |
Rex King from Tucson, Arizona arrived in the Yukon and stayed until the 6th of November. He also made two brief visits in April and May of 1955. He made the first Bahá'í radio broadcasts in the Yukon. [CBN No 117 October 1957 p1] | Pioneering, Yukon; Rex King (Reginald King); Radio; Yukon, Canada | first radio broadcast in the Yukon |
1954 (In the year)
195- |
Canadian Bahá'ís who were studying in other countries this year were Joyce Noble (Devlin), New Westminster, who was awarded the Emily Carr Scholarship, and who was studying in England, Vicki Ogal, Steinbach, MB., who was in California at University, and Bruce and Loretta Francis, Etobicoke, who were doing postgraduate. [CBN No57 Oct 1954 p2] work in Ithaca, N.Y. | Joyce Noble; Joyce Devlin; Viki Ogal; Bruce Francis; Loretta Francis | |
1954 1 Oct
195- |
Auxiliary Board Member Florence Mayberry launched the first weekly fireside effort and the first public meeting when she returned in October, 1956. [CBN No 117 October 1957 p1] | Florence Mayberry; Auxiliary board members; Yukon, Canada | first weekly fireside in the Yukon; first public meeting in the Yukon |
1954 1 Oct
195- |
Land on Mount Carmel, specifically Parcel No. 304, Block 10811, was transferred to the Israel Branch of the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly and registered. [CBN No 61 February, 1955 p1] | Israel Branch of the Bahá'ís of Canada; Haifa, Israel | |
1954 9 Oct
195- |
More than 20 believers attended the Maritime Fall Conference held in Charlottetown. Mrs. Peggy Ross of Scarboro highlighted the conference, the theme being "Augmenting the Dynamic Spirit in the Ten-Year Crusade". She discussed bridging the gap between thought and action, saying that a living sacrifice is required these days to prevent giving in to inertia. "Action towards what we believe in is like food in the hands of starving people." She discussed taking on the ways of the new Kingdom by learning the manners and customs of the Faith. [CBN No58 Nov 1954 p3] | Maritime Fall Conference; Peggy Ross; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | |
1954 4 Dec
195- |
December 4. On this date in 1954, Leroy Ioas wrote "The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you... that the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada was to be established, and land on Mount Carmel registered in your name..." iiiii | Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada; * Bahá'í World Centre | |
1954 11 Dec
195- |
The National Assembly received a message from the Guardian specifying that the Hazira and Temple property should be about 9 miles from the heart of Toronto. The issue was carefully discussed at the Assembly meeting and revised specifications were given the committee who were asked to make every effort to secure a suitable property at an early date. [CBN No61 Feb 1955 p1] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1955 1 - 2 Jan
195- |
Twenty-five Maritime believers met in Saint John for their annual winter conference. With them were the Robarts, Allan Raynor of Toronto, and Easter King Thompson from Calais, Me. Mr. Robarts gave a report on the New Delhi conference which he had attended as Canada's representative. [CBN No 48 January 1954 p4] | Maritime Winter Conference; John Robarts; Saint John, NB | |
1955 1 - 2 Jan
195- |
A Winter School was held at Beaulac, QC. Courses included one by Lloyd Gardiner on "Administration", during which the L.S.A.'s of East Beaulac and West Beaulac met to discuss a specific community problem. This workshop method of learning by doing ensured better learning with many an added chuckle.[CBN No 61 Feb 1955 p1] | Winter schools; Beaulac, QC | |
1955 1 - 2 Jan
195- |
At Skyloft Lodge north of Toronto 29 Bahá'ís and 30 non-Bahá'ís attended a winter school conference arranged by the Ontario Youth Committee. Canadian communities represented were Toronto, Thoro1d, Kingston, Forest Hill, Pickering, Hamilton, Stratford and Oshawa. Friends were also welcomed from Hamburg and Niagara Falls, N.Y., from Connecticut and from Pittsburg, Pa. The speakers were Miss Nancy Campbell, Hamilton, who spoke on "Living the Bahá'í Life'', which gave much food for thought. Douglas Martin and Elizabeth Manser, each conducted a session. [CBN No61 Feb 1955 p1] | Winter schools; Toronto, ON | |
1955 8 Jan
195- |
At its meeting in Toronto National Spiritual Assembly members examined several proposed Hazira and Temple properties and advised the committee to arrange for the purchase of a property as soon as possible on the basis of the specifications sent the Guardian in December and approved by him. [CBN No62 Mar 1955 p3] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1955 Feb
195- |
The first fireside was held in Hull, Quebec at the home of one of the friends of the Faith. Bert Rakovsky of Westmount was the speaker. [CBN No 63 April, 1955 p2] | Albert Rakovsky; Outaouais Cluster; Hull, QC | the first fireside in Hull, QC |
1955 c. Feb
195- |
A celebration to mark the 10th anniversary in Edmonton of the Friends of the Indians Society was held with some four hundred white and Native people in attendance.
The anniversary meeting of the Society, at which Cree First Nations danced with the skill of professionals, First Nations handicrafts and artifacts were displayed, and a full-blooded Haida spoke. His message was directed to the Native people to take up their responsibilities as citizens, to avail themselves of education and adapt themselves to the encroachment of modern civilization. The Friends of the Indians (First Nations) Society did much during its 10 years of existence to promote its aims, through monthly meetings to which Indians are invited, through representations to government bodies, by enlightening public opinion through press releases, and through direct welfare and charity when needed. Its present executive committee include a Roman Catholic priest, a Unitarian minister, a Mormon elder, a Bahá'í, and others who are able to work together in harmony and unity. {CBN No63 PE 1955 P3] |
Friends of the Indians Society; Edmonton, AB | |
1955 17 Feb
195- |
Robin Fowler became the first person to declare his Faith in the Yukon. [CBN No63 Apr 1955 p1; CBN No 117 October 1957 p1] | Robin Fowler; Yukon, Canada | first person to declare his Faith in the Yukon |
1955 23 Feb - 21 Oct
195- |
Roy and Jean Ziegler of Vancouver pioneered to the Yukon. [CBN No 117 October 1957 p1] | Pioneering, Yukon; Roy Ziegler; Joan Ziegler; Yukon, Canada | |
1955 Apr
195- |
The announcement of the first Bahá'í in the Yukon, Mr Robert Fowler of Whitehorse. [CBN No68 April,1955 p1] | Robert Fowler; Whitehorse, YT | first Bahá'í in the Yukon |
1955 Apr
195- |
The announcement of the enrollment of the first resident believers on the Queen Charlotte Island, William Washburn and John Giegerich. [CBN No68 April,1955 p1] | William Washburn; John Giegerich; Queen Charlotte Island, BC | the enrollment of the first resident believers on the Queen Charlotte Island, William Washburn and John Giegerich |
1955 Ridván
195- |
Twenty-three local Spiritual assemblies were formed in Canada. [CBN No 76 May 1956 p6] | Statistics; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation | |
1955 29 Apr - 1 May
195- |
The National Convention was held in Toronto with the meetings and the Public Congress held in the King Edward Hotel. Elected were: Lloyd Gardner (chair), Allan Raynor (vice-chair), Audrey Westheuser (secretary), Peggy Ross (treasurer), Rowland Estall, Angus Cowan, Winnifred Harvey, Donald MacLaren, Albert Rakovsky. [CBN No 65 June 1955 p4]
|
National Convention; NSA; Lloyd Gardner; Allan Raynor; Audrey Westheuser; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Angus Cowan; Winnifred Harvey; Donald MacLaren; Albert Rakovsky; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Statistics; Toronto, ON | |
1955 30 Apr
195- |
During the lunch break at the National Convention on Saturday several members of the Assembly visited a property in the St. Clair Avenue district and announced that they had made arrangements to sign an offer to purchase, for the purpose of a Haziratu'l-Quds, provided zoning regulations were met. The chairman of the Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee, Mr. Allan Raynor, also announced that negotiations were pending with regard to a 7 acre piece of property within 9 miles of the heart of Toronto as a Temple site. It is situated on Highway 401. [CBN N065 Jun 1955 p5] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Allan Raynor; Toronto, ON | |
1955 2 May
195- |
In a letter from the International Bahá'í Council that has been entitled Progress at fhe World Centre they give an account of the various plans and projects ongoing at the World Centre. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p1; BN No292 Jun 1955 p4] | Progress at the World Centre; * Bahá'í World Centre | |
1955 12 May
195- |
The Ottawa Assembly received its Letters Patent for the incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Ottawa. [CBN No 66 July, 1955 p4] | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Ottawa, ON | |
1955 14 May
195- |
At its meeting of May 15-15 the National Spiritual Assembly viewed Several possible Hazira properties and it was decided to make an offer on one df them. An option has also been taken on a proposed Temple site. A maintenance committee for the future Hazira was appointed. [CBN No66 Jul 1955 p2] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1955 17 Jun
195- |
At its meeting of the 17th of June the National Spiritual Assembly made final arrangements to permit purchase of the Hazira property at 539 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, and further reports were heard on the proposed Temple property. [CBN No 68 Sep 1955 p6] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1955 c. Jul
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly received a reply from R. Rabanni on behalf of Shoghi Effendi regarding the purchase of a site(s) for the Temple and the Haziratu'l-Quds:
He is extremely anxious to have these properties purchased, either together in one-place, or if this is not feasible, then in two separate places, as he has already informed you. Eight of the eleven Temple sites have been purchased, and many of them in very difficult places; and he feels very strongly that it is a great pity that Canada should be behind-hand in this matter, in view of the fact that she is one of the oldest Bahá'í Communities in the world. No doubt the problem is more difficult for you to solve, owing to the special conditions in Toronto and vicinity; but we know that all problems are solvable for the Bahá'ís, with the power of God to help them; and he is eagerly awaiting news of your success." He further clarified that while the Maxwell House was indeed a National Endowment it should not be considered as having fulfilled this objective of the Plan and a second one should be obtained. [MC2p222; CBN No 73 Feb 1956 p2] |
Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1955 1 - 10 Jul
195- |
Ross Woodman presented at the
first Beaulac session, July 1-10, and Mr.
and Mrs. Curtis Kelsey and Mr. Ron
Nablo at the second, Aug. 7-14. The
themes for study were:
|
Summer schools; Beaulac, QC | |
1955 3 Jul
195- |
Over two hundred friends attended a memorial service at the House of Worship in Wilmette to honour the memory of Marion Jack. The service was held on the advice of the Guardian and was prepared by the National Assembly of the USA in association with the National Assembly of Canada and the European Teaching Committee. Laura Davis represented the Canadian community and read the opening prayer.
|
Marion Jack; Memorial Service; In Memoriam; Laura Davis; Paul Haney; Horace Holley; Millie Collins; Wilmette, IL | |
1955 30 Jul - 6 Aug
195- |
Ontario Summer Conference was held at Geneva Park in Orillia, ON. One presenter, Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh was unable to attend as planned and so on each day a different camper developed the theme "We Meet a Faith, Choose, Grow Within, Grow Without, Grow Together, Our Future". Mr. Ronald Nablo spoke on "Magnetic Living. The Covenant, and the latent power within us that obedience to it can generate, formed the theme of Ron's course. ln addition to these, Pem Piggott gave two very fine sessions on the technique of teaching. Brenda Piggott had some very helpful suggestions to Bahá'í parents [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p5] | Ontario Summer Conference; Orillia, ON | |
1955 21 - 27 Aug
195- |
The Summer School on the prairies was held at Valley Centre, Fort Qu'Appelle, SK. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p6] | Summer schools; Fort Qu'Appelle, SK | |
1955 26 Aug
195- |
At its meeting of the 26th of August the National Spiritual Assembly arranged to apply to the Province for licence in mortmain to hold in perpetuity the Hazira property. Further directions were given the Hazira management committee regarding its upkeep and use. Since it is now unlikely that the selected Temple site will he available, a Temple Grounds committee was set up to continue the search for a suitable property. [CBN No69 Oct 1955 p3] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1955 26 Aug
195- |
The Winnipeg Spiritual Assembly incorporated. [CBN No72 Jan 1956 p5; Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p20, 49]
Members at the time of incorporation were: Singe Saxton, Stella Pollexfen, Claire Atwood, Margaret Saxton, Angus Cowan, Bobbie Cowan, Ethel Martens, Moliie Macpherson, and Miron Thom. |
Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Singe Saxton; Stella Pollexfen; Claire Atwood; Margaret Saxton; Angus Cowan; Bobbie Cowan; Ethel Martens; Mollie Macpherson; Miron Thom; Winnipeg, MB | |
1955 Sep
195- |
It was reported in the Canadian Bahá'í News that the National Spiritual Assembly was encouraged to 'speed up' finding a new Hazíratu'l-Quds as their present site at 539 Mount Pleasant Road was proving not to be suitable for their needs. [UC55]
See Shoghi Effendi's cable of 1 May 1955 and his letter to the National Spiritual Assembly dated 16 July 1955. [MtC220, 222] |
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1955 Sep (or earlier)
195- |
Canadian Bahá'í News No 68 Sep 1955 p3 reported that Margaret and Larry Rowdon and family arrived in the Magdalen Islands and settled in Grindstone. | Larry Rowdon; Margaret Rowdon; Magdalen Islands, QC; Grindstone, Magdalen Islands, QC | |
1955 17 Sep - 15 Mar 1958
195- |
Vicki Rusk of Calgary pioneered to the Yukon. [CBN No 117 October 1957 p1] | Pioneering, Yukon; Vicki Rusk; Yukon, Canada | |
1955 Oct
195- |
In an article in the Canadian Bahá'í News the procedure for the "exchanged of cheques" was explained whereby a believer could get a tax receipt for expenses incurred while completing a pre-approved project. [CBN No 60 Oct 1955 p6] | Fund | |
1955 Oct
195- |
In an article in the Canadian Baha'i News The Indian (First Nations) Teaching Committee quoted Fred Riley of High Prairie, Alberta, someone who has spent 20 years among the Dogrib people whose language he speaks. He explained how the past experiences of the Native People have made them mistrustful of the White man. He suggested the only way to make headway in Native teaching was to start by earning the friendship and trust of a single person and then build from there, [CBN No 69 Oct 1955p3] | Native Teaching | |
1955 1 Oct
195- |
At the meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly they spent a half day viewing possible Temple sites. It was agreed to make an offer on one site provided that further investigation indicated that it met requirements. Renovations required on the Hazira were discussed; three members were added to the Committee. [CBN No70 No 1955 p2] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1955 25 Nov
195- |
Plans for structural changes in the Hazira were approved in principle, and tax exemption, insurance and legal matters dealt with. The Temple Grounds Committee report was considered, and a property purchase approved, replacing previous proposals that could not be implemented. [CBN No 73 Feb 1956 p2] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1955 Dec
195- |
National Spiritual Assembly member Allan Raynor went on pilgrimage. Upon his return to Canada, he travelled across the country sharing his pilgrimage and stressing the importance of the Guardianship and firmness in the Bahá'í Covenant. [UC58] | Allan Raynor; Pilgrimage; Haifa, Israel | |
1955 Dec
195- |
It was reported in the Canadian Bahá'í News that the Hamilton Spiritual Assembly received its official incorporation papers "some little time ago". One of the goal of the Ten-Year Crusade was to have nineteen incorporated assemblies in Canada. [CBN No 71 Dec 1955 p4] | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Hamilton, ON | |
1955 31 Dec - 1 Jan
195- |
Teachers at Beaulac Winter School were Roger White, Ottawa, who led a discussion on "The Way Home" based on the Seven Valleys and Douglas Martin whose course was entitled "The Emphasis is on the Individual". [CBN No 73 Feb 1956 p4] | Winter schools; Roger White; Douglas Martin; Beaulac, QC | |
1956 (In the year)
195- |
Incorporation papers have been granted to the Assembly in Scarborough, Ontario. [CBN No 78 July 1956 p4] | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Scarborough, ON | |
1956 (In the year)
195- |
Arthur Bonshaw Irwin (born 6 June 1915 – died 1994) and Lily-Ann Irwin of Calgary, Alberta were the first to take the Bahá'í teachings to the Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve).
|
Arthur Irwin; Lily Ann Irwin; Native Friendship Centre; Teaching, Native; Piikani First Nation, AB | the first Native Indian Friendship Centre |
1956 Jan
195- |
The National Teaching Committee launched a teaching campaign directed at the Ukrainian population. For several months they have had weekly advertisement published in a widely read Ukrainian newspaper. The purpose was to introduce the reader to the Faith and ask them to write for more information. They received some 300 inquiries from across Canada, the US and even Central America. The plan was ready to go to the second step, to introduce the contacts to the local community, [CBN No 60 Jan 1956 p2] | Ukrainian teaching | |
1956 Jan
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly published the policy on membership in Freemasonry.
The Canadian National Spiritual Assembly regards the Guardian's directives as general policy with equal application to Canada. [CBN No 72 Jan 1956p3-4] |
Freemasonry | |
1956 7 Jan
195- |
A full report on progress on incorporations and Hazira and Temple Grounds was sent the Guardian at his request. [CBN No74 Mar 1956 p2] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1956 7 Jan
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly made arrangements for the erection of a memorial stone on the grave of Marion Jack. [CBN N74 Mar 1956 p2] | Marion Jack; In Memoriam; Toronto, ON | |
1956 Feb
195- |
The Canadian Bahá'í News reported that the Local Spiritual Assembly of Winnipeg had been incorporated and that they had approved the incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of Vernon. [CBN No 73 February, 1956 p2] iiiii | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Winnipeg, MB; Vernon, BC | |
1956 (In the year_
195- |
With the growing number of Bahá'ís in the Yukon they were able to send their first delegates to the National Convention. Three of the six delegates elected at the first Yukon Bahá'í Convention were Native: Annie Drugan (later Auston), Shirley Lindstrom and Liz Jackson. [Native Conversion, Native Identity: An Oral History of the Bahá'í Faith among First Nations People in the Southern Central Yukon Territory, Canada by Carolyn Patterson Sawin p98] | Yukon, Canada | |
1956 25 Feb
195- |
Because of the cost of adapting the Mount Pleasant property for Hazira use, the replacement of this property by the premises of the Free Magyar Reformed Church on Huron Street was authorized provided satisfactory financial arrangements can be made. The Temple Grounds Committee reported that no action could yet be taken on their option to purchase land in the Toronto area. | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1956 Mar
195- |
The course "The Covenant and the Institutions" was conducted in BC in March, 1956 and subsequently in every other province.
|
||
1956 Mar
195- |
The course "The Covenant and the Individual, was conducted in British Columbia and consequently was given in every province in Canada. The National Spiritual Assembly requested that the Local Assemblies and Regional Teaching Committees to make certain that prospective believers were familiar with the essential contents of the following books: Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet of the Branch, Book of the Covenant (Kitab-i-A!hd) and the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. [CBN No89 June 1957 p1] | Covenant; Deepening | |
1956 18 Apr
195- |
After three years of attempts by the National Assembly Mary Zabolotny was able to secure employment on the privately-owned Island of Anticosti and settle there to become a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. She was only able to stay for several months before she was forced to leave. [CBN No 76 May, 1956 p7]
|
- Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Mary Zabolotny McCulloch; Anticosti Island, QC | |
Statistics; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation | |||
1956 Ridván
195- |
The formation of the first local spiritual assembly in St James, Manitoba. [CBN No 76 May 1956 p6] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; St. James, MB | |
1956 27 - 29 Apr
195- |
The 9th National Convention was held in the King Edward Hotel and was attended by over 100 delegates and friends. Those elected were: Audrey Westheuser, (sec'y) Peggy Ross, (treasurer) Winnifred Harvey, Lloyd Gardner, (chair) Don MacLaren, Angus Cowan, Rowland Estall, Allan Raynor, (vice) and Hart Bowsfield.
|
National Convention; NSA; Audrey Westheuser; Peggy Ross; Winnifred Harvey; Lloyd Gardner; Don MacLaren; Angus Cowan; Rowland Estall; Allan Raynor; Hart Bowsfield; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; National Endowment; Toronto, ON | |
1956 10 May
195- |
The property at 274 Huron Street was acquired for a Haziratu'l-Quds at a cost of $48,000. When this goal was given to Canada in 1953 the Guardian contributed £2,000 towards this undertaking and donations were made by the National Spiritual Assemblies of the British Isles and of Germany. Further donation came from Canadian believers and from the estate of Hand of the Cause Fred Schopflocher. [CBN No 77 June, 1956 p4-5; CBN No 78 July, 1956 p1]
|
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1956 16 Jun
195- |
A group of friends from the Montreal area gathered at the grave the beloved Hand of the Cause of God Sutherland Maxwell. The purpose of the gathering was to fulfill the instructions of the Guardian to deposit, under the headstone, a piece of plaster from the walls of the prison at Mah-Ku where the Báb had been incarcerated in 1847. The box containing the plaster was placed in a special excavation in the foundation stone under the headstone and attar of roses, sent by the Guardian for the purpose, was poured over the alabaster box which was then permanently sealed with tile and cement in the foundation stone. This was followed by a brief statement on the life of Mr Maxwell and his historic services to the Faith as recalled in the Guardian's cable at the time of his passing. The Guardian had pointed out that another piece of plaster from the same source had been placed under the first golden tile of the dome of the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel. The superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb had been designed by Sutherland Maxwell. [CBN No 80 September, 1956 p2] To pay further tribute Mr Maxwell's contribution as the architect of the Arcade and the Superstructure built over the Sepulchre built by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Guardian named one of the eight doors Báb-i-Maxwell. [CBN No 82 November, 1956 p3] |
In Memoriam; Sutherland Maxwell; Montreal, QC | |
1956 (Summer)
195- |
David Bowie became a Bahá'í and was soon followed by his wife Carol who was later elected to the National Spiritual Assembly and was appointed to the Auxiliary Board in 1975. [UC61-62] | David Bowie; Carol Bowie; Auxiliary board members; Niagara Falls, ON | |
1956 21 - 28 Jul
195- |
The Laurentian Bahá'í School was held in two sessions, July 21-28 and July 28-August 5. The theme for the sessions was "The Development of The Individual". The teachers for the first session were Mrs. Audrey Westheuser, Dr. Genevieve Coy, Mr. Allan Raynor and from July 28 - August 5, Miss Winnifred Harvey, Mrs. Ruth Moffett and Mr. Mehdi Firoozi. [CBN No74 Mar 1956 p4; CBN No 78 Jul 1956 p4] | Summer schools; Beaulac, QC | |
1956 21 - 28 Jul
195- |
The Laurentian Summer School was held in two sessions, 21-28 July and 28 July to the 5th of August. The presenters were: Dr Genevieve Coy spoke on "The Reality of Man", Mehdi Firoozi told stories on the Dawnbreakers and the Hands of the Cause, Ruth Moffet gave her course on the "Spiritual Crusade" and Winnifred Harvey took the theme "Tools of Living", Audrey Westheuser gave a course on Faith in Action and Allan Raynor on "Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant and our Relationship to It". [CBN No 81 October 1956 p2] | Summer schools; Genevieve Coy; Mehdi Firoozi; Ruth Moffett; Winnifred Harvey; Audrey Westheuser; Allan Raynor | |
1956 Aug
195- |
The Ontario Summer School was held during the long holiday weekends. The first two were held in Dundas and the last two in Forest. sessions. At Forest on Labour Day weekend Nancy Campbell spoke on "Meditation and the Law of Love" and Charles Grindley on "The Science of Teaching". [CBN No 81 October 1956 p2] | Summer schools; Nancy Campbell; Charles Grindlay; Dundas, ON; Forest, ON | |
1956
195- |
The Bahá'í Faith was put on the curriculum in a course on comparative Religions at McMaster University. [UC61] | McMaster University, Ontario; Hamilton, ON | |
1956 09
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly published the policy for the performing of a Bahá'í marriage by a local spiritual assembly. [CBN No 80 September 1956 p4] | Marriage | |
1956 2 - 8 Sep
195- |
The Western Canada Bahá'î Summer Conference was held at the School of Fine Arts in Banff. The course material dealt with Bahá'í Administration, The Covenant, and Living the Bahá'í Life. CBN No 78 July 1956 p4]
|
Summer schools; Katherine Moscrop; Ted Anderson; Joyce Noble; W R Maclean; Katherine Hamilton; Banff, AB | |
1956 30 Sep
195- |
The dedication of the new Haziratu'l-Quds of the Bahá'ís of Canada at 274 Huron Street in Toronto. ABM Roland Estall read an address on behalf of Hand of the Cause Horace Holley who was unable to attend due to weather conditions. [CBN No 82 November, 1956 p1-4]
The purchase was made possible because of the generosity of the Canadian believers as well as an "exceedingly generous bequest made to the Canadian Bahá'í Community, on his death, by Fred Schopflocher". [CBNNo 77 June 1956 p4] |
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1956 Dec
195- |
The passing of Leslie Silversides.
Leslie became a Bahá'í in 1945 and while visiting Emeric and Rosemary Sala became aware of the necessity and urgency of making contact with the Native People. When a new school opened on a Reserve in the fall of 1947 he re-assumed his career as a teacher. Mabel and Leslie Silversides, were the first non-Aboriginal Bahá'ís in Canada to move to a reserve. When a memorial service was held for him on December 16th some 50 or 60 Native people from the Reserve where he had been teaching attended, some walking as far as 10-12 miles. Another service was held on December 17th in Regina, his former community. After his passing his wife Mabel resumed teaching. She passed away in 1992. Both were buried in the Wolseley Cemetery. [Encylopedia of Saskatchewan; CBN No86 March, 1957 p4]
|
Leslie Silversides; In Memoriam; Mabel Silversides; Native Teaching; Wolseley, SK | the first non-Aboriginal Bahá'ís in Canada to move to a reserve |
1957 (In the year)
195- |
The first Temple site was purchased in 1957 in North York, and replaced by the site in Markham Township in 1969. [MtC281] | Purchases and exchanges; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Toronto; Toronto, ON | |
1957 Jan
195- |
The Laurentian Bahá'í Winter School was attended by about twenty people. Mary and Andy Andrews of Ottawa were the presenters. [CBN No 85 February 1957 p2] | Winter schools; Andy Andrews; Mary Andrews; Beaulac, QC | |
1957 2 Feb
195- |
Dr Donald Kidd and Mary Campbell, both of Edmonton were married in a Bahá'í marriage ceremony in Calgary. It was the first Bahá'í wedding to take place in the province of Alberta. [CBN No87 April, 1957 p3] | Marriage; Don Kidd; Mary Campbell; Calgary, AB | the first Bahá'í wedding to take place in the province of Alberta. |
1957 22 - 24 Feb
195- |
At its February meeting the National Spiritual Assembly formed a Hazira Location Committee consisting of George Spendlove, George Smith, Alice Hall and Marjory Merrick. They were instructed to look for a property primarily for the National Headquarters use and to meet the requirement for a provisional Hazira set down by the Guardian. [CBN No 87 April, 1957 p1] | Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1957 26 - 29 Apr
195- |
The National Convention was held at the new Haziratu'l-Quds at 274 Huron Street. It was attended by about 100 visitors as well as seventeen delegates who voted in person and two who voted by mail. Those elected were: Hart Bowsfield, Peggy Ross, Winnifred Harvey, Audrey Westheuser, Allan Raynor, Lloyd Gardner, Rowland Estall, Fred Graham, and Harold Moscrop.
|
National Convention; Hart Bowsfield; Peggy Ross; Winnifred Harvey; Audrey Westheuser; Allan Raynor; Lloyd Gardner; Rowland Estall; Fred Graham; Harold Moscrop; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1957 May
195- |
The site of the National Hazírratu'l-Quds at 274 Huron Street was expropriated by the University of Toronto. The property was included in the 26 acres taken over in December for the expansion of the campus. The University advised that they will not require the property for some time and that we may rent the building , possibly for several years. [UC66; CBN No 87 April 1957 p3; CBN No 91 Aug 1957 p8; MtC262]
|
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); George Spendlove; George Smith; Alice Hall; Marjory Merrick; Toronto, ON | |
1957 May
195- |
About twenty-five different itineraries
were arranged for Canadian
Bahá'í teachers who served on the
Intra-Regional circuits and, in addition,
teaching programmes were arranged
and organized for several visiting
teachers from outside the Dominion,
including Mr. Alan Pringle
from Honduras and Mrs. Meherangiz
Munsiff of the United States. Our
Canadian teachers have included the
following: Mrs. Laura Davis, Mr.
Albert Rakovsky, Mr. Hartwell Bowsfield,
Mr. Rowland Estall, Mr; Alan
Raynor, Mre. !Peggy Ross, Mrs. Lily
Ann Irwin, Mrs. Katherine Moscrop,
Mr. Fred Graham, Miss Nancy Campbell,
Miss Amy Putnam and Miss
Winnifred Harvey. [CBN No88 May 1957 p1]
|
Travel Teaching; Alan Pringle; Meherangiz Munsiff; Laura Davis; Albert Rakovsky; Hartwell Bowsfield; Rowland Estall; Alan Raynor; Peggy Ross; Lily Ann Irwin; Katherine Moscrop; Fred Graham; Nancy Campbell; Amy Putnam; Winnifred Harvey | |
1957 May
195- |
The New Territories Committee had a publication called the "Round Robin". It was written solely for pioneers in the goal areas as a means to share the pleasures and problems, hopes and fears, news and views with the distant members of their pioneer family. [CBN No88 May 1957 p2-3 ] | Round Robin; * Publications; Pioneering | |
1957 14 Jun
195- |
Winnifred Harvey of Ottawa, recently returned from pilgrimage, undertook a three week travel leaching trip to Western Canada. She stopped at Winnipeg, Brandon then on to Regina and following that, Lethbridge and Calgary. In British Columbia she visited Cranbrook, Penticton, Vancouver and West Vancouver then took a ferry to Nanaimo and then overland to Victoria. From there she travelled south to Seattle to catch a plane for Juneau and then the Canadian goal city of Baranof by seaplane. Venturing back into Canada her next stop was Whitehorse and then on to Edmonton and Yellowknife and Edmonton again. Saskatoon was the next stop then to St. James and finally to Toronto to attend a meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly. [CBN No 92 September 1957 p 3-4] | Travel Teaching; Winnifred Harvey | |
1957 Jul
195- |
Hand of the Cause Dhikru'llah Khádem met with the National Spiritual Assembly. He had come from Central America and was visiting in the United States and Canada before returning to Haifa. He, his wife, and their daughter spent ten days in Canada and visited the friends in Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and London. [UC68-69] | * Hands of the Cause; Dhikrullah Khadem; Hamilton, ON; Toronto, ON; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; London, ON | |
1957 Summer
195- |
Pioneer Doris Richardson reported that the first Bahá'í declaration on Grand Manan, Ed Somers, was welcomed. [UC70] | Doris Richardson; Ed Somers; Grand Manan Island, NB | first declarant on Grand Manan Island. |
1957 Jul
195- |
Hand of the Cause Dhikru'llah Khádem met with the National Spiritual Assembly. He had come from Central America and was visiting in the United States and Canada before returning to Haifa. He, his wife, and their daughter spent ten days in Canada and visited the friends in Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and London. [UC68-69, 70; MtC269] | Hands of the Cause, Activities; Dhikrullah Khadem; Hamilton, ON; Toronto, ON; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; London, ON | |
1957 (Summer)
195- |
Hand of the Cause Zikr'u'lláh Khadem visited Central America, then the United States and Canada on way back to Haifa. He was accompanied by his wife and their daughter. Arrangements were made for them to visit a number of Bahá'í communities in Ontario and Québec, Hamilton, Greater Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, London. [CBN NO 92 September 1957 p4] | * Hands of the Cause; Zikrullah Khadem | |
1957 (Summer)
195- |
The Hazira committee continued to have difficulties in finding a suitable property. Zoning regulations precluded the purchase of many sites that were otherwise suitable. Negotiation were underway on one property. One property in north Toronto that might be suitable for the Temple ground was under investigation. [CBN No 91 August 1957 p1] | Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON | |
1957 Aug
195- |
In response to a recommendation made at the National Convention, the functions and the staffing of the national committees were published in the August issue of the Canadian Bahá'í News. [CBN #91 August 1957 p6-8]
The October issue included a graphic that illustrated the reporting structure of the national committees. [CBN No 93 October 1957 p7] |
National Spiritual Assembly; Toronto, ON | |
1957 Summer
195- |
The Laurentian Summer School was held at Beaulac. The presenters were Margery McCormick, Mehdi Firoozi and Stanwood Cobb. [CBN NO92 September 1957 p4; CBN No 93 Oct 1957 p3]
|
Summer schools; Margery McCormick; Mehdi Firoozi; Stanwood Cobb; Beaulac, QC | |
1957 25 - 31 Aug
195- |
Western Canada Summer Conference at the Banff School of Fine Arts. The syllabus included (1) "The Covenant and the Aims, Purposes and Processes of the Administrative Order" (Allan Raynor) (2) "The History of the Faith" (Ted Anderson and Hartwell Bowsfield) (3) "The Fundamental Spiritual Verities" (Florence Mayberry) and "The Bahá'í World Crusade" (Beatrice Ashton). [CBN No 88 May 1957 p3]
|
Western Canada Summer Conference; Summer schools | |
1957 Oct or Nov
195- |
At the request of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Department of External Affairs arranged for the British Legation in Sofia, Bulgaria to have a monument erected over the grave of Marion Jack in the British Cemetery. A photo of the grave and Shoghi Effendi's tribute of 29 March, 1954 were printed in the Canadian Bahá'í News. [CBN No 96 January 1958 p5] | Marion Jack; In Memoriam; Sofia, Bulgaria | |
1957 Oct
195- |
In a message to the National Spiritual Assembly the Guardian said of the Canadians believers:
|
||
1957 Oct
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States advised the friends in Canada, particularly local assemblies, to take no steps towards accepting the credentials of any person from Iran who claims to be a Bahá'í, without first communicating with the National Assembly. "Should any individual from Iran, either carring credentials or claiming to be a Bahá'í, appear in your community the matter should be reported immediately to the National Office where the authorizing signature and letter-head from the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran has been registered. It is most important that this procedure be followed with exception, with respect to all individuals from Iran making an appearance in any Bahá'í community." [CBN No 93 Oct 1957 p2] |
||
1957 Oct
195- |
Acting on a recommendation from the National Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly published an organogram which showed three "departments", Teaching, Properties and Service with sub-committees reporting to them. [CBN No 93 Oct 1957 p7] | National Spiritual Assembly; Toronto, ON | |
1957 1 Oct
195- |
A site at 15 Lola Road in Toronto was acquired and occupied on the 1st of October. It served as the National Hazíratu'l-Quds from October 1957 until 1969. [MtC281; CBN No 93 Oct 1957 p2]
See [MtC198-199] for a photo. |
Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON | |
1957 2 Nov
195- |
Hand of the Cause Paul Haney visited the Toronto-Hamilton area and spoke at conferences in both cities and at a fireside in Hamilton. [CBN No 95 Dec 1957 p3] | * Hands of the Cause; Paul Haney; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON | |
1957 04 Nov - 04 Aug
195- |
Following the directive from the Guardian following the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf in 1932, the National Spiritual Assembly called for a period of mourning of nine months in which all Festive Anniversaries were to be replaced by simple gatherings for prayers and administrative gatherings including the 19-Day Feasts were to be held with the utmost simplicity. [CBN No 97 February 1958 p1]
|
Shoghi Effendi, Passing of | |
1957 9 November
195- |
The funeral for Shoghi Effendi was attended by Lloyd Gardner, Peggy Ross, Allan Raynor, Rowland Estall, Hartwell Bowsfield and Winnifred Harvey representing the Canadian Bahá'í community. Hand of the Cause John Robarts, living in Africa at the time, attended in his capacity as a Hand of the Cause. Jameson and Gale Bond also attended. [CBN No 95 December, 1957 Insert p4]
|
Shoghi Effendi, Passing of; London, England | |
1957 Dec
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly appointed a National Promulgation Committee with a mandate to bring the Bahá'i Faith to the attention of Christian clergy and laymen throughout Canada. The committee members were: Fred and Jean Graham, Douglas and Elizabeth Martin, David and Carol Bowie. Hamilton was chosen as the site for a pilot project. Every minister and priest received the pamphlet, "The Promised Day of God" and a letter with the National Spiritual Assembly letterhead outlining Bahá'u'lláh's claim to be the return of Christ. Every Protestant minister received a copy of the article by Marcs Bach from the Christian Century entitled, "Bahá'í, a Second Look" and every Catholic priest received a pamphlet with excerpts from Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet to the Pope. Archdeacons and Bishops and prominent Presbyterian and United ministers receive a copy of Christ and Bahá'u'lláh. In addition a letter was sent to the local Council of Churches or Ministerial Association outlining Bahá'u'lláh's claim and including a pamphlet and the Christian Century article and offering a speaker if they desired.
|
Promulgation Campaign; Fred Graham; Jean Graham; Douglas Martin; Elizabeth Martin; David Bowie; Carol Bowie; Hamilton, ON | |
1957 6 Dec
195- |
In a letter to the National Spiritual Assemblies the Hands of the Cause in America announced the appointment of Peggy Ross as the Auxiliary Board Member for Propagation (Teaching). Rowland Estall, who had served as the ABM in the Eastern part of Canada for several years was reassigned as the Auxiliary Board Member for Protection. [CBN No 97 February, 1958 p4] | Auxiliary board members; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall | |
1958 (In the year)
195- |
The Bahá'í marriage ceremony was first legally recognized in Ontario. [MoC208 note 9] | Weddings; Recognition (legal); Ontario, Canada | first legally recognized in Ontario |
1958 Jan
195- |
Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá' Rúhíyyih Khánum met the Bahá'ís of Winnipeg during her visit to Canada. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p20] | Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Winnipeg, MB | |
1958 Feb
195- |
In an article in the Canadian Bahá'í News the National Spiritual Assembly asked those in the community who formerly were members in a church or a synagogue, to formally withdrew their membership by means of a letter to the minister, priest, rabbi or church board. This will serve two purposes, first to clarify our position as follows of Bahá'u'lláh and secondly, to clarify our legal status with respect to religious and civil authorities. This will ensure protection in any dispute that might occur concerning children, the disposal of property, funeral rites etc. In the eyes of the law, children are deemed to be of the same religious affiliation as their father unless an agreement has been entered into in writing by both parents that the child should be brought up in the faith of the mother or unless the father's will makes provisions for how the child should be educated. [CBN No 97 February 1958 p3] | Membership of other organizations | |
1958 Feb
195- |
The National Spiritual Assembly published a policy statement for the Canadian Bahá'í News. [CBN No 97 February 1958 p4] | Canadian Bahá'í News; Policy | |
1958 6 Feb
195- |
Hand of the Cause John Robarts arrived in Canada to begin his extensive tour of Canada. He had been sent to Canada by the Hands in the Holy Land because the Guardian had been concerned about the slow progress in the objectives of the 10-year plan in Canada The first stop was in Moncton where a three-day conference was held with Mr. Robarts. [CBN No 98 March, 1958 p2]
|
John Robarts; Ericka Janzen; Tom Gossen; Moncton, NB; Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON; London, ON; Ottawa, ON | |
1958 24 Feb
195- |
Judgement was rendered by the Honourable Associate Chief Justice W. B. Scott of the Superior Court in Montreal in favour of the National Spiritual Assembly against the City of Montreal. This achievement was the result of an action commenced on the 5th of October, 1955, to require the City of Montreal to recognize the Bahá'í Faith as an independent religious body and grant exemption to it from Municipal Taxes for the Bahá'í Shrine as a place primarily devoted to religious worship, and eligible for tax exemption under the city's own chart and by-laws.
|
Montreal Shrine; Montreal, QC | |
1958 Mar
195- |
The Indian Teaching Committee (Indigenous Teaching Committee) reported that there were several
studying the Faith in the Piikani First Nation. This committee
had received permission from the Indian (First Nation) Council to
teach on the Reserve. [BN No 341 July 1959 p10]
The photo in this reference shows Indigenous believers of the Peigan Indian Reserve (Piikani First Nation), Blackfoot Confederacy, Alberta, Maggie Prairie Chicken, Rose Knowlton, Louise White Cow, Agnes Yellow Face, Councillor Samson Knowlton, Ben White Cow, Sam Yellow Face, and Allan (Otakkoyiisaapo'p) Prairie Chicken. Allan and Maggie Prairie Chicken were the first declarants of the Blackfoot nation in March 1958. [BN No 342 August 1959 p10] |
Maggie Prairie Chicken; Rose Knowlton; Louise Whitecow; Agnes Yellow Face; Samson Knowlton; Ben White Cow; Sam Yellow Face; Allan Prairie Chicken; Piikani First Nation, AB | first declarants of the Blackfoot Allan and Maggie Prairie Chicken. |
1958 Mar
195- |
Allan Prairie Chicken (Otakkoyiisaapo'p) was the first Backfoot to declare his faith on the Pikuni First Nations (Peigan Reserve) in March, 1958. [IndigenousBahais.com] | Allan Prairie Chicken; Otakkoyiisaapop; Piikani First Nation, AB | the first Backfoot to declare his faith on the Pikuni First Nations |
1958 Apr
195- |
The Canadian Bahá'í News reported that as of this date 10 Local Assemblies had been incorporated in Canada. They were: Edmonton, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Scarborough, Toronto, North York Vancouver Vernon, and Winnipeg. [CBN No 99 April 1958 p3] | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Edmonton, AB; Hamilton, ON; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; Scarborough, ON; Toronto, ON; North York, ON; Vancouver, BC; Vernon, BC; Winnipeg, MB | |
1958 26 Apr
195- |
Hand of the Cause John Robarts dedicated the site of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Canada. In doing so he paid tribute to Hand of the Cause Siegfried Schopflocher. Among his many services to the Cause he left funds to purchase this property. He had been named "The Chief Temple Builder" by the Guardian because of his devotion to the completing of the Mother Temple of the West. [CBN No 101 June, 1958 p1-2]
|
* Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); John Robarts; Siegfried Schopflocher; North York, ON | |
1958 29 Apr - 1 May
195- |
The National Convention was held at the Westbury Hotel, 475 Yonge Street in Toronto. Those elected to the National Assembly were: Hart Bowesfield, Peggy Ross, (sec'y), Winnifred Harvey, Audrey Westheuser, Allan Raynor, Lloyd Gardner, Rowland Estall, Fred Graham, and Harold Moscrop (tres). [CBN No 99 115 April, 1958 p1; CBN No 101 June 1958 p3]
|
National Convention; Hart Bowsfield; Peggy Ross; Winnifred Harvey; Audrey Westheuser; Allan Raynor; Lloyd Gardner; Rowland Estall; Fred Graham; Harold Moscrop; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Toronto, ON | |
1958 2 - 9 Aug
195- |
The Ontario Summer School Committee presented three courses at the YMCA Camp Kitchikewana at Geneva Park on Lake Couchiching. Audrey Westheuser presented "Sources of Hidden Power", Beatrice Ashton, "The World Crusade" and Winston Evans, a Bahá'í from Nashville, Tennessee, contributed, "Bahá'í Faith in a Christian World". He suggested that in teaching Christians that they not be considered as a homogeneous group but rather they should be approached with an appreciation of the tenants of eacch particular group. [CBN No 105 October 1958 p5, UC79]
|
Proclamation I; Summer schools; Audrey Westheuser; Beatrice Ashton; Winston Evans; Promulgation Campaign; Geneva Park, ON | |
1958 Sep
195- |
Promulgation Conferences were held in St. Catharines and London to initiate the programs being carried out by the Promulgation Committee in Niagara and Western Ontario. [CBN No 106 November 1958 p3] | Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; St. Catharines, ON; London, ON; Niagara Falls, ON | |
1958 (In the year)
195- |
Ken and Mary (Zabolotny) McCulloch (married Aug 1958) moved to Baker Lake where they lived for over 20 years with their daughter Laura. While there they established Bahá'í House, promoted translation of Bahá'í materials into Inuktitut, and, above all, conveyed the spirit and principles of the Faith to their neighbours with tireless devotion. (CBN No109 Feb 1959 p4)
|
Pioneers; Mary McCulloch; Ken McCulloch; Bahá'í House; Inuit language; Baker Lake, NU | |
1958 Sep
195- |
The first Yukon Bahá'í Summer School was held at Jackson Lake, YT and was attended by a "handful" of people. The property had only one small cabin. In 1961 the conference attracted over 70 people from the Yukon, Alaska, British Columbia and Washington State. By 1964 the number of participants had increase to 100 and in 1967 to 135 with an average class attendance of 25 for the adult classes. [Native Conversion, Native Identity: An Oral History of the Bahá'í Faith among First Nations People in the Southern Central Yukon Territory, Canada by Carolyn Patterson Sawin p95] | Summer schools; Jackson Lake, YT | |
1958 Oct
195- |
Based on previous experience of a proclamation to Christian clergy in Hamilton and consultation with Winston Evans at the Summer School, the Promulgation Committee launched a proclamation directed to both clerics and the layman. Packages were sent to Christians in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Saltfleet, Burlington, Dundas, Campbellville, Ancaster, Georgetown, London, St. Thomas, Ingersoll and Forest. The pamphlet "The Reality of the Return of Christ" was included in all packages with the Catholic priests receiving a copy of the tablet that Bahá'u'lláh addressed to Pope Pius IX and the Protestant clergy were sent the pamphlet "The Lord of the New Age". About 1,400 to 1,500 were sent. Advertisements were placed in the local newspapers announcing that the clergy had received this material and that a speaker would be coming soon to speak about the theme, "Christ and Bahá'u'lláh". The only negative reaction reported was from the town of Forest where the Faith was denounced from the pulpit. [CBN No 107 December 1958 p2; UC80-81]
|
Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Niagara Falls, ON; St. Catharines, ON; Saltfleet, ON; Burlington, ON; Dundas, ON; Campbellville, ON; Ancaster, ON; Georgetown, ON; London, ON; St. Thomas, ON; Ingersoll, ON; Forest, ON | |
1958 Oct
195- |
The first Spiritual Assembly was formed in Dundas, Ontario. [UC83] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Dundas, ON | |
1958 9 Nov
195- |
A Promulgation follow-up conference was held in Dundas with approximately 40 Bahá'ís in attendance. A campaign was planned to keep the promulgation issue alive in the area. [CBN No 108 January 1959 p5; UC84] | Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Dundas, ON | |
1958 16 Dec
195- |
The government of British Columbia issued the first certificate of Registration under the Marriage Act which certified that the Chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly was legally authorized to solemnize marriage. [CBN No 109 February 1959 p4] | Weddings; Recognition (legal); Victoria, BC | |
1959 (In the year)
195- |
Hand of the Cause John Robarts visited the Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve). [The Distance Traversed a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022] | John Robarts; Piikani First Nation, AB | |
1959 The 1950's
195- |
The largest year-round Inuit community in Canada was in Hamilton at the Mountain Sanatorium where 332 Inuit patients were being treated. There were 1,578 Inuit being treated in Canadian hospitals in 1953. One-third of the Inuit population of the 1950s was infected with TB and approximately one out of every seven Inuit was in a southern sanatorium.[Contributed by Leslie Cole] | Inuit; Tuberculosis; Mountain Sanatorium, Canada; Hamilton, ON | |
1959 Mar
195- |
Fred Graham was asked to preside over a name-giving ceremony for Michelle Jamál Bowie, daughter of Carol and David Bowie of Niagara Falls who had been born in December, 1958. [UC88] Mrs Audrey Rayne presided at the name-giving ceremony for the two children of Mr and Mrs K Ross in Halifax. [CBN No 110 March 1959 p3] |
Naming ceremony; Fred Graham; Carol Bowie; David Bowie; Michelle Bowie; Audrey Rayne; K Ross; Niagara Falls, ON; Halifax, NS | |
1959 20 Mar
195- |
The passing of Jean Graham (b. 1916) in Burlington. She was buried in White Chapel Gardens in Ancaster, Ontario. She and her husband Fred were registered as Bahá'ís on January 5th, 1952.
[UC86-92; CBN No 112 May 1959 p4]
|
Jean Graham; In Memoriam; Burlington, ON | |
1959 Mar
195- |
It was announced in the Canadian Bahá'í News in the March, 1959 issue that the criteria for testing for the Religion and Life Badge for the Canadian Girl Guides and the Boy Scout Association had been established. [CBN No 110 March 1959 p3-4] | Religion and Life Badge | |
1959 (Ridván)
195- |
The formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in the Yukon in Whitehorse. [CBN No 113 June 1959 p10]
|
Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Lorne Murphy; Georgie Hughes; Jerry Brda; Joan Anderson; Erna Henckel; Margaret Brda; Ted Anderson; Ruth Cunliffe; Glen Hughes; Whitehorse, YT | first Local Spiritual Assembly in the Yukon; the first Tutchone Bahá'í |
1959 Ridván
195- |
The first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahà'ís of Niagara Falls was formed by joint declaration. The members were: Carol and David Bowie, Charlie and Florence Grindlay, Ben and Mary Koltermann, Amy Puntnam Joy Carter and Vi Dutoff.
|
Carol Bowie; David Bowie; Charles Grindlay; Florence Grindlay; Ben Koltermann; Mary Koltermann; Amy Putnam; Joy Carter; Vi Dutoff | The first Bahá'í in Niagara Falls was Charlie Grindlay. ; The first native Niagara Falls resident to become a Bahá'í was Carol Bowie. |
1959 24 - 26 Apr
195- |
The National Convention was held at the Westbury Hotel in Toronto. Those elected were: Lloyd Gardner, Rowland Estall, Hart Bowsfield, Winnifred Harvey, Audrey Westheuser, Harold Moscrop, (tres.) Peggy Ross, (sec'y) and Allan Raynor.
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National Spiritual Assembly, election of; National Convention; Lloyd Gardner; Rowland Estall; Hart Bowsfield; Winnifred Harvey; Audrey Westheuser; Harold Moscrop; Peggy Ross; Allan Raynor; Toronto, ON | |
1959 20 Jun
195- |
The passing of Ernest Vernon Harrison (b. 22 November, 1880 in Bengal, India) in Charlottetown.
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Ernest Harrison; In Memoriam; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | |
1959 (Late summer)
195- |
Douglas and Elizabeth Martin travelled to the Maritimes to introduce the Promulgation Campaign. The Bahá'ís of Halifax, Charlottetown and Saint John participated in the project and over 2,000 letters were sent out from these three centres during the first week of September. Winston Evans, from Nashville, once again participated as a speaker at the meetings. [CBN No 117 October 1959 p4; UC96] | Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Douglas Martin; Elizabeth Martin; Halifax, NS; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Saint John, NB | |
1959 Sep
195- |
Sally Jackson became the first Tlingit Bahá'í at the second annual Yukon Bahá'í Summer School at Jackson Lake. Sally Jackson was from Teslin. [Bahá'í News Apr 1960 p9; CBN No 122 March 1960 p6] | Sally Jackson; Tlingit; Tesllin, YT; Jackson Lake, YT | the first Tlingit Bahá'í; first Native person in the Yukon to become a Baha'i |
1959 Sep
195- |
Carol and David Bowie pioneered to Ear Falls, Ontario and had to relinquish membership on the National Promulgation Committee. The new membership was: Fred Graham, Douglas Martin, Jeannie Seddon, Donald Dainty and Gail Burland (secretary). [CBN No 127 August 1960 p70] iiiii | Carol Bowie; David Bowie; Fred Graham; Douglas Martin; Jeannie Seddon; Don Dainty; Gail Burland; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Ear Falls, ON | |
1959 Oct
195- |
In the October 1959 edition of the Canadian Bahá'í News it was announced that request from the National Spiritual Assembly to the province of Saskatchewan for authorization for Bahá'í Assemblies to solemnize marriages in the province was accepted. [CBN No 117 October 1959 p2] | Marriage; Saskatchewan, Canada | |
1959 13 Oct
195- |
Clifford and Catherine Huxtable arrived in the Gulf Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh (albeit in 1957 see LNW93). [BW13:457]
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Clifford Huxtable; Catherine Huxtable; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Salt Spring Island, BC | |
1959 (late or early 1960)
195- |
Amy Putnam, a pioneer to Ohsweken on the Six Nations, reported that the first Native believer had declared. [UC107] iiiii
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Amy Putnam; Native Teaching; Six Nations Reserve, ON | first believer on the the Six Nations |
1960 Mar
196- |
Twenty-seven communities in seven provinces participated in the Promulgation Campaign. 12,000 ministers, priests and laypersons received the letter and the newspaper ads reached a total of one million readers. The results could be analyzed in three ways: the spirit of the believers; the response from the churches; and the immediate effect in the teaching work.
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Proclamation I; Opposition; Promulgation Campaign; Saskatoon, SK; Regina, SK; Saint John, NB; Winnipeg, MB | |
1960 Mar
196- |
As part of their Promulgation Campaign, the Bahá'ís of Saskatoon sent out some 950 letters. Bill Lacey of Minot, ND spoke to an audience of 68 at a public meeting at the University. There was a barrage of opposition from the floor but there were many who responded in defence of the Bahá'ís. At a subsequent meeting with one of those who rose to defend the Bahá'ís came the idea of having an inter-religious meeting. That brought out 32 people of different nationalities, 11 of which gave short talks on their faith. Members of the International Students Club who attended decided to hold a meeting at the University that was attended by some 150 people. Bill Gossen made a presentation on behalf of the Bahá'í Faith. [CBN No 122 March 1960 p6-7] | Proclamation I; Opposition; Bill Lacey; Bill Gossen; Promulgation Campaign; Saskatoon, SK | |
1960 Mar
196- |
In the March issue of the Canadian Bahá'í News the National Archivist, Hartwell Bowsfield, and the National Library and Archives Committee made a fresh appeal on behalf of the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land to send all letters received from Shoghi Effendi to the Archives. [CBN No 122 March 1960 p5] | Hartwell Bowsfield; National Archivist; * Shoghi Effendi, letters of; Archives | |
1960 Ridván
196- |
The first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Saltfleet was formed. [UC111] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Saltfleet, ON | |
1960 29 Apr - 1 May
196- |
The 13th National Convention was held at the Westbury Hotel in Toronto. It was attended by Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Ruhíyyih Khánum and Hand of the Cause John Robarts. The 19 delegates selected the following for service on the National Assembly for the year 117: Peggy Ross, (sec'y) Rowland Estall, (chair) Winnifred Harvey, Hartwell Bowsfield, Harold Moscrop, Lloyd Gardner, (vice-chair) Audrey Westheuser, (treas.) Douglas Martin, and Fred Graham. [CBN No 125 June 1960 p1]
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National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Winnifred Harvey; Hartwell Bowsfield; Harold Moscrop; Lloyd Gardner; Audrey Westheuser; Douglas Martin; Fred Graham; Toronto, ON | |
1960 May
196- |
The Promulgation Campaign moved into the fifth stage. The National Spiritual Assembly approved the participation of Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, York Township, Forest Hill, Montreal, Vancouver, Verdun, Westmount, St. Lambert, Ottawa, Eastview, Kingston, Victoria, Nanaimo, New Westminster, West Vancouver, Penticton and Vernon.
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Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Regina, SK; Moose Jaw, SK; Saskatoon, SK | |
1960 May
196- |
Amy Putnam on the Six Nations reserve reported that Robert Jameson had become the first resident believer. [CBN No 123 April 1960 p3] | Native Teaching; Amy Putnam; Robert Jameson; Six Nations Reserve, ON; Ohsweken, ON | first Bahá'í on the Six Nations Reserve. |
1960 16 May - 2 Jun
196- |
'Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum was in North America from May 4 to June 5. She made a coast to coast tour of Canada from May 16 to June 2, 1960. She had a TV interview in Regina and was interviewed by newspaper representatives in Ottawa and other cities. In Montreal she gave an address in the Union Church. One of the recurring themes in her talk was the importance of Native teaching. During her tour she visited a Navajo First Nation in the US and the Peigan (Piikani) Reserve in Alberta. In Calgary she spoke to a group that included Native people and members of the Blackfoot First Nation declared his faith. [CBN No 126 July 1960 p5].
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Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Hair (general); Archives; Piikani First Nation, AB; Blackfoot First Nation, AB; Relics | |
1960 18 May
196- |
The National Spiritual Assembly made a submission on Native education which was entered into the minute of proceeding and evidence of the Joint committee and the House of Commons on Indian Affairs on this date. [CBN No 126 July 1960 p6] | National Spiritual Assembly, submission; Native Americans; Ottawa, ON | |
1960 21 May
196- |
Hand of the Cause Ruhiyyih Khánum visited the Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve), AB during her tour of Canada at the home of Councillor Samson Knowlton. During this visit she had the honour of being given a name by the chiefs of the tribe (Our Blessed Mother). [CBN No 126 July 1960 p5]
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Hands of the Cause, Activities; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Piikani First Nation, AB | |
1960 1 Jul
196- |
Ben Whitecow and Louise Many Guns were married in the first Bahá'í marriage legally recognized in Canada in a Bahá'í service by the Spiritual Assembly of Calgary, Alberta. The Canadian Bahá'í News article noted the significance that it was a First Nations couple who had this honour in this unique event. "Thirty people attended from Edmonton, Lethbridge, Regina, Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve), AB, and Calgary. This event was unique in that it was the first legally recognized Baha'i marriage in Canada. It is significant that a First Nations couple should have this honour [Canadian Baha'i News 1961]. | Ben Whitecow; Louise Whitecow; Louise Many Guns; Weddings; Recognition (legal); Native Americans; First Nations; Calgary, AB | first Baha’i marriage legally recognized in Canada in a Baha’i service |
1960 12 Jul
196- |
The passing of the Hand of the Cause Horace Holley in Haifa.
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Horace Holley; In Memoriam; Haifa, Israel | |
1960 Sep
196- |
Peggy Ross, who had been serving as both an Auxiliary Board Member and secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, had to resign her position as secretary to devote more time to her work as an Auxiliary Board Member. Audrey Westheuser took over the secretarial duties. At this point both she and Rowland Estall were serving on the National Assembly and as Auxiliary Board Members. iiiii | Auxiliary board members; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Auxiliary board members | |
1960 (In the year)
196- |
A series of twelve professional advertising mats with graphics and an explanation of the Faith were designed by Rod Willis and made available to all believers across Canada for local newspapers. [UC113] | Proclamation, newspapers | |
1960 Sep (Later part)
196- |
All the communities in the greater Vancouver area united to launch a Promulgation Campaign in their area. [CBN No 129 October 1960 p5]
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Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Doug Crawford; Vancouver, BC | |
1960 13 Nov
196- |
In preparation for the election of the International Bahá'í Council, in November of 1960 the Hands in the Holy Land sent out voting kits, one for each member of every National or Regional Assembly. They were asked to return the completed ballots to Haifa prior to the counting of the votes on the 21st of April, 1961. The members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada cast their ballots during an Assembly meeting and they asked the friends to pray for their guidance. Friends in the Metropolitan Toronto area gathered at the Temple site for this purpose. [MoC245; CBN No 136 May 1961 p4] | International Bahá'í Council; * Bahá'í World Centre | |
1961 (In the year)
196- |
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Whitehorse was incorporated. [Native Conversion, Native Identity: An Oral History of the Bahá'í Faith among First Nations People in the Southern Central Yukon Territory, Canada by Carolyn Patterson Sawin p98] | Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Whitehorse, YT | |
1961 (In the year)
196- |
Chief Samson Knowlton, then-chairman of the first Peigan Reserve Bahá'í Assembly, and an elected member of the Band Council for the Peigan Band of the Blackfoot Confederacy along with John Hellson, originally from Cornwall, England were part of a teaching team that visited many Reserves. Over sixty First Nations people became Bahá'ís in 1960-1962. The team carried letters of introduction to the chiefs of all the Six Nations Reserves in Ontario and Quebec and were welcomed with a special ceremony on some of the Reserves. Their itinerary included the following reserves: the Nanaimo Reserve in Nanaimo, B.C., the Squamish Reserve in Capilano, BC, the Mohawk Reserve in Ohsweken in Ontario, the Chippewa Reserve in Kettle Point, Ontario, the Mississauga Reserve in Curve Lake, the Mohawk Reserve in Caughnawaga, Quebec." The teaching team gave copies of the small prayer book, Communion with God, which has "meant much to the new Indian Bahá'ís on the Reserves in Saskatchewan and Alberta (Canadian Bahá'í News July 1961; BN No 365 August 1961 p10)." iiiii | Sam Knowlton; John Hellson; Teaching, Native; Piikani First Nation, AB; Nanaimo Reserve, BC; Squamish Reserve, BC; Mohawk Reserve, ON; Chippewa Reserve, ON; Curve Lake First Nation, ON; Mohawk Reserve, QC | |
1961 23 Jan
196- |
Noel Wuttenee visited Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve), AB and is reported to have said:
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Noel Wuttunee; Indigenous Teaching; Piikani First Nation, AB | |
1961 Ridván
196- |
The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve) was formed with Louise Whitecrow, Charles Strike-With-A-Gun, Rose Knowlton, Sam Yellow Face, Ben Whitecrow, Joyce McGuffie, Dale Olivier, Guy Yellow Wings and Chief Samson Knowlton [Canadian Baha'i News July 1961]. | Louise Whitecow; Charles Strike-With-A-Gun; Rose Knowlton; Sam Yellow Face; Ben Whitecrow; Joyce McGuffie; Dale Olivier; Guy Yellow Wings; Chief Samson Knowlton; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Piikani First Nation, AB | first Local Spiritual Assembly of Peigan Reserve |
1961 Ridván.
196- |
The formation of the first spiritual assembly in Nanaimo, BC. [CBN No 149 Jun 1962 p5] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nanaimo, BC | |
1961 28 - 30 Apr
196- |
The fourteenth National Convention was held at the Westbury Hotel in Toronto. Those elected were: Angus Cowan, Rowland Estall, (chair) Glen Eyford, Lloyd Gardner, (vice-chair) Fred Graham, Douglas Martin, Harold Moscrop, (tres.) Peggy Ross, and Audrey Westheuser (sec'y). [CBN No 137 June 1961 p10]
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National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Angus Cowan; Rowland Estall; Glen Eyford; Lloyd Gardner; Fred Graham; Douglas Martin; Harold Moscrop; Peggy Ross; Audrey Westheuser; Toronto, ON | |
1961 May
196- |
Hand of the Cause Hasan M. Balyuzi (1908-1980) visited Canada where, in "addition to meeting the friends, he visited a number of Reserves, including First Nations of Ontario, the Poorman Reserve in Saskatchewan where he was honoured by a pow-wow, the Muscowpetung Reserve, the Peigan Reserve in Alberta, and First Nations people of British Columbia. His talks were 'simple and direct', appealing 'to the hearts of the many who came to hear him'. Later he described these meetings as 'very wonderful', commending to British Bahá'ís the initiative of individuals upon whom 'so much depends', and expressing his confidence in the rapid acceptance of the Faith by the Native peoples."[In Memoriam: Hasan M. Balyuzi" BW18p647; BN No 366 September 1961 118BE p9]
https://hdcommittee.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/alberta-bahai-history-project-shareable-resources/
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Hasan Balyuzi; Teaching, Native; Poorman Reserve, SK; Muscowpetung First Nations Reserve, AB; Piikani First Nation, AB | |
1961 (Spring)
196- |
Ron Parsons became a Bahá'í some time before July in 1961. [CBN No 138 July 1961 p3]
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Declaration; Carol Bowie; David Bowie; Ron Parsons; Arthur Irwin; Lily Ann Irwin; Red Lake, ON; Ear Falls, ON; Strathmore, AB | |
1961 Sep
196- |
It was reported in the Canadian Bahá'í News that the National Assembly had made application to the Department of National Defence for recognition of the Bahá'í Faith on the list of religious denominations of the Armed Services. They received word that the Faith was so listed with the authorized abbreviation of "BWF" and that this will be used to designate those who wish to be so identified. [CBN No 140 September 1961 p6] | Military (armed forces); Military; Recognition (legal) | |
1961 Oct
196- |
Edmund Many Bears (b. 1906 - d.14 March 1968) of the Siksika Blackfoot Nation declared as a Bahá'i. "He was instrumental in forming the Bahá'i.Local Spiritual Assembly of the Blackfoot Reserve in 1962. He served on Tribal Council and was a member of the Brave Dog Society." (Native Baha'i) ("In Memoriam: Edmund Many Bears." BW14p357-358.) | Edmund Many Bears; Siksika Nation, AB; Blackfoot First Nation, AB | |
1962 (In the year)
196- |
Native believer Shirley Lindstrom enrolled in the Faith in the Yukon. Months after becoming a Bahá'í she travelled alone to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories to help establish the first Local Spiritual Assembly there. Later she move with her family to Saskatchewan where they remained for several year to work with the First Nations people a the Fort Qu'Appelle Bahá'í Institute. [Native Conversion, Native Identity: An Oral History of the Bahá'í Faith among First Nations People in the Southern Central Yukon Territory, Canada by Carolyn Patterson Sawin p97] | Shirley Lindstrom | |
1962 Mar
196- |
Some Statistics as of March, 1962: Montreal; 27 Ottawa: 24 Toronto: 35 Hamilton: 30 Winnipeg: 15 Regina:26 Edmonton:18 Vancouver: 23 Peigan Reserve (Piikani Nation): 27 Pasqua Reserve (Pasqua First Nation):22 Poorman Reserve (Kawacatoose First Nation): 59 {CBN No 146 Mar 1962 p4] Poorman Reserve (Kawacatoose First Nation): 74 This is the largest community in Canada. [CBN No 147 Apr 1962 p2] |
Statistics | |
1962 Mar
196- |
Doris McLean, sister of Shirley Lindstrom, became a Bahá'í. One month later she and her cousin moved to Sitka Alaska to help form the first local assembly there. [Native Conversion, Native Identity: An Oral History of the Bahá'í Faith among First Nations People in the Southern Central Yukon Territory, Canada by Carolyn Patterson Sawin p91-92] | Doris McLean; Yukon, Canada | |
1962 Ridván
196- |
The National Convention was held in Scarborough. [CBN No 146 March 1962 p1] | National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Scarborough, ON | |
1962 May
196- |
The Western Canada Bahá'í School was held at the Banff School of Fine Arts from August 12 – 19. It cost a dollar a day to register and room and meals cost $5.00 to $7.00 per day. Mrs. Betty Putters in Sherwood Park was in charge of registration. (May 1962. Summer Schools. U. S. Supplement. Baha'i News) | Betty Putters; Summer schools; Banff, AB | |
1962 May
196- |
Jean Many Bears (b. 1910 – d. 1968) Jean and her husband Edmund were "instrumental in forming the Spiritual Assembly of the Blackfoot Reserve (Native Baha'i)." "In Memoriam: Jean Many Bears." Baha'i World. Volume XIV 1963-1968 page 357-58. | Jean Many Bears; Edmund Many Bears; Blackfoot First Nation, AB | |
1962 10 May
196- |
The passing of F. St. George Spendlove (b. 23 April 1897 in Montreal) [BW13p895-899; Bahá'ís of Canada]
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George Spendlove; In Memoriam; Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON | |
1962 22 May
196- |
The first Athabascan Native north of the Arctic Circle to become a Bahá'í, Charley Roberts, enrolled. [BW15:455] | Charley Roberts; Athabascan people | first Athabascan Native Bahá’í north of the Arctic Circle |
1962 31 Jul
196- |
The first spiritual assembly was formed in Kitchener, ON by declaration. Those on the Assembly were: Elfriede Emde, Elizabeth Rochester, George Marjanovich, Michael Rochester, Ida Borst, Walter Borst, Murat Sokolovie, Douglas Martin and Elizabeth Martin. [CBN No 152 September 1962 p1] | Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Elfriede Emde; Elizabeth Rochester; George Marjanovich; Michael Rochester; Ida Borst; Walter Borst; Murat Sokolovie; Douglas Martin; Elizabeth Martin; Kitchener, ON | |
1962 (Late in the year)
196- |
The first Inuit Bahá'í in Canada, David Kabloonak declared his faith in Baker Lake. [CBN No155 1962 p5; contributed by Leslie Cole] | Native Teaching; David Kabloonak; Baker Lake, NU | First Inuit Baha'i in Canada David Kabloonak |
1963 Mar
196- |
At this time there were 1,500 enrolled Bahá'ís in Canada, 500 of these were First Nations. [CBN Special Editions May 1963] | Statistics | |
1963 20 Apr
196- |
The end of the Ten Year Crusade
Canada started the Ten-year Crusade in 1953 with 30 local spiritual assemblies, by 1957 there were 19. "Hand of the Cause John Robarts enlisted the Bahá'ís of Canada in one great campaign of prayer and action, and we finished that Crusade with sixty-four Local Spiritual Assemblies." [BCVol 9 No8 October 1987 p18] |
Ten Year Crusade; Statistics; John Robarts | |
1963 Ridván
196- |
The National Spiritual Assembly announced that there would be no National Convention this year due to the fact that many of the participants would be returning from the historic meetings which were held in Haifa and in London. The National Teaching Committee wanted to make full use of those travellers returning to share the benefit of their experiences. [CBN No158 Mar 1963 p1]
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National Convention; Husayn Banani; Lloyd Gardner; Rowland Estall; Audrey Westheuser; Peggy Ross; Glen Eyford; Angus Cowan; Douglas Martin; Michael Rochester; postal ballot | |
1963
196- |
Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada: 64 Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies: 20 Localities where Bahá'í reside: 285 Members: 2,186 [from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada] |
Statistics; Canada | |
1963 June (Mid)
196- |
Tom Garraway arrived in Cambridge Bay.
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Pioneer; Tom Garraway; Cambridge Bay, NU |
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