Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada

World Canada
   

Date 19--, sorted by firsts, ascending

date event tags firsts
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] Dawson City, YT; Emogene Hoagg; Marion Jack; Travel teaching; Whitehorse, YT
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] Dawson City, YT; Emogene Hoagg; Marion Jack; Travel teaching; Whitehorse, YT
1968 1 - 3 Dec
196-
1968 was International Year for Human Rights, which marked the twentieth anniversary of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Canadian Bahá'í Community made a presentation at a conference held in Ottawa titled The Right to an Identity. It was also presented to the federal government and specifically the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

More than half of the presentation was dedicated to the question of the Indigenous People in Canada, an explanation of their culture and recommendations for action.

Human rights; Indigenous people; Ottawa, ON; Presentations; United Nations
1983 21 - 23 Nov
198-
A brief entitled The Future of Canada: A Bahá'í Perspective was presented to The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects of Canada on behalf of the Canadian Bahá'í Community through the National Spiritual Assembly in Saskatoon. [The Future of Canada: A Bahá'í Perspective]
  • Photographs in this publication were contributed by Elizabeth Martin. [HNWE44]
  • - Ethics; Agriculture; Consultation; Economics; Education; Elderly; Indigenous people; Presentations; Saskatoon, SK; Social action; Women
    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] Alan Raynor; Angus Cowan; National Spiritual Assembly, By-election; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Toronto, ON; Winnifred Harvey
    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]

    Edmonton, AB; Friends of the Indians Society
    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 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
    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 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; Montreal, QC; William Sutherland Maxwell
    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.
  • In the afternoon the Master spoke about the oneness of the fundamental truths of the religions of God. [MD248-249]
  • `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá in Montreal; Montreal, QC; Windsor Hotel (Montreal QC)
    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
    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
    1994 (Summer)
    199-
    A Maori teaching team visited British Columbia, Canada. The visit was reciprocated by The Journey of Teech-ma, the First Nations Travel Teaching Trip to the South Pacific. See entry for 24 March, 1997. [SDSC370] - First Nations, Canada; British Columbia, Canada; Canada; Indigenous people; Maori people; Travel teaching
    1977 20 Nov
    197-
    A new directive from the Universal House of Justice regarding assembly formation was announced.

    The Universal House of Justice has decided that during the last year of the Five Year Plan, i.e. from April 21, 1978 until April 20, 1979 inclusive, Local Spiritual Assemblies being established for the first time, as well as lapsed Assemblies which achieve adequate strength to regain their Assembly status, may be formed at any time during that year. This means that Local Assemblie: formed at Ridvan 1979 will not be counted towards the fulfilment of the goals of the Five Year Plan. [CBN No 314 May 1978 p 4]

    - Bahá'í World Centre; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1978 Ridván
    197-
    A number of Assemblies formed after Ridván: Gordon's Reserve, SK, Ermineskin Reserve, AB, Glendale-Cobequid, NS, Pasqua Reserve, SK, Kimberly, BC, North Battleford, SK, Uxbridge Township, ON

    As of the 26th of June, 1978, the total number of local spiritual assemblies in Canada were 229. Indications were that the formation of an Assembly in Stratford, ON was imminent. [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5]

    Ermineskin Reserve, AB; Glendale-Cobequid, NS; Gordons Reserve, SK; Kimberly, BC; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; North Battleford, SK; Pasqua First Nation, SK; Statistics; Stratford, ON; Uxbridge Township, ON
    1946 Oct
    194-
    A permanent Bahá'í school property called Beaulac, located near Rawdon situated north of Montreal was acquired by the National Spiritual Assembly. [OBCC268; BN no 201 November 1947 p10-11] Beaulac, QC; First summer and winter schools
    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] Dundas, ON; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign
    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] - Newspapers and news media (press); Proclamation
    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
    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)
    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
    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] Banff, AB; Florence Mayberry; Rex King (Reginald King); Ron Nablo; Summer schools
    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] Charles Bishop; Conferences, Teaching; Helen Bishop; Mark Tobey; Vancouver, BC
    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; Vancouver, BC; 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; OBCC269] First summer and winter schools; Paul Sala; Riviere Beaudette, QC; Summer schools
    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
    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] Beaulac, QC; Winter schools
    1950 26 Dec - 1 Jan
    195-
    A Winter School was held at Beaulac. [CBN 16 November 1950 p7] Beaulac, QC; Winter schools
    1950 26 Dec - 1 Jan
    195-
    A Winter School was held at Beaulac. [CBN 16 November 1950 p7] Beaulac, QC; Winter schools
    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] Beaulac, QC; Winter schools
    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 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]

  • Seven weekend seminars conducted by Allan Raynor on "The Covenant and the Individual" were organized throughout Canada for the deepening, strengthening and confirming of believers and close contacts. The course "The Covenant and the Institutions" was first conducted first in BC in March, 1956 and subsequently in every other province. Bahá'ís and prospective believers were encouraged to become with the Will and Testement of 'Abdu'l-Baha, The Tablet of the Branch (BWFp207), The Book of the Covenant and the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah. Participants were also encouraged to study the Covenant and the Administration". (Note: the name of the course was reported as both "The Covenant and the Individual" and "The Covenant and the Institutions".). [CBN No88 May 1957 p2; CBN No 89 June 1957 p1]
  • Alan Pringle; Alan Raynor; Albert Rakovsky; Amy Putnam; Fred Graham; Hartwell Bowsfield; Katherine Moscrop; Laura Davis; Lily Ann Irwin; Meherangiz Munsiff; Nancy Campbell; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Travel teaching; Winnifred Harvey
    1912 4 Sep
    191-
    Accounts of the friendly reception He received from the local press regarding His talk to the Socialist's Club were read to Him through translation.

    The Master took an elevator ride down from the seventh floor and went for a ride in an automobile to the foot of Mount Royal where they took the cable car where they could see the city spread out below them.

    Upon returning to the Maxwell home He read letters from the East.

    At a meeting in the evening at Mrs Maxwell's home, `Abdu'l-Bahá gave an address on spiritual brotherhood and the economic principles upheld by the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh which will be the cause of the salvation, prosperity and liberation of the nations of the world. Among the guests were Americans, as well as Turks and Arabs clothed in their splendid robes. [HD242-244]

    - Newspapers and news media (press); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; `Abdu'l-Bahá in Montreal
    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 Assemblies; Toronto, ON
    1970 Oct
    197-
    After a stopover in Toronto Mr. Olinga visited the community of St. James-Assiniboia. [CBN244Nov1970p1] - Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga; St. James-Assiniboia, MB; Toronto, 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]
  • While travelling back to the US to get a visa she attended the Canadian National Convention for one day. [CBN 13 May 1950 p11]
  • - Pioneers; Denmark; Greenland; Margit Warburg; Nancy Gates
    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]
  • Considering that this proved a difficult goal to fill the Guardian allowed the National Spiritual Assembly to choose an alternate goal-the Gulf Islands. [KoB10], 274; MC2p56]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Anticosti Island, QC; Mary Zabolotny McCulloch
    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] John Pollitt; Montreal, QC; Montreal District Youth Group
    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] Alan Raynor; Evelyn Raynor; Travel teaching
    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]
    • AY83 says that Khan left Washington about the 22nd of August to attend an "International Agricultural Conference". There was an international conference 19-26 October 1912.
    `Alí Kulí Khán; Lethbridge, AB
    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]
  • They sent out about 1,500 kits to clergy and laymen and held a follow-up public meeting attended by 70 to 80 persons including three clergy. Doug Crofford spoke on "Christ and Bahá'u´lláh" and answered questions that followed. A series of panel discussion meetings were planned to begin on October 16th. [CBN No 130 November 1960 p5]
  • Doug Crawford; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Vancouver, BC
    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
    1970 12 Jan
    197-
    An animated presentation entitled "The Community of Baha'u'llah" made its initial presentation at the Art Centre in Ottawa. They had just come from their trial run in St. Lambert, Quebec and had a plan to visit Oshawa, Hamilton, Guelph, North Bay, Fort William (Thunder Bay), Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Kelowna, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria before doing their final presentation in Toronto just before the National Convention.
    • The hosts for the presentation were: Al Houdek, Gerry Bourassa; Leslie Houdek, Sandra Kostaschuk, Garry Berteig; Larry Brown, and Valerie Berteig with Dick Stanton as the Tour Manager.
    • Travelling exhibit was intended as a vehicle to introduce the Message of Baha'u'llah. They utilized film, sound and slides, as well as traditional art forms. The plan was to have the local communities integrate interested person into the community after the team had made the initial contact. The eight member team made the three month trip in two vehicles, an Econoline van and a station wagon. [CBN No 236 January-February 1970 BE 126 p1]
    • The tour continued into the Maritimes for several more months with some changes in the team to include Gale Bundy, Fred Ward, and Bob Kingdon. The tour ended at Rochdale College in Toronto. [email exchange with Garry Berteig 4 January 2020] iiiii
    Al Houdek; Bob Kingdon; Brandon, MB; Dick Stanton; Edmonton, AB; Fort William, ON; Fred Ward; Gale Bundy; Garry Brown; Gary Berteig; Gerry Bourrassa; Guelph, ON; Hamilton, ON; Kelowna, BC; Leslie Houdek; Lethbridge, AB; Nanaimo, BC; North Bay, ON; Oshawa, ON; Ottawa, ON; Proclamation; Regina, SK; Sandra Kostaschuk; Saskatoon, SK; St. Lambert, QC; Community of Bahá'u'lláh, The (presentation); Thunder Bay, ON; Toronto, ON; Valerie Berteig; Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Winnipeg, MB
    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] Saskatoon, SK; Scholarship; Suzanne Pawlowska
    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, ON; Toronto Daily Star
    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. - Bahá'í World Centre; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa)
    1968 Apr
    196-
    An article honouring the Centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's Proclamation to the Kings and religious leaders of the world appeared in the April 1968 issue of Ebony Magazine. The article included a number of colour photographs taken during the recent Bahá'í Intercontinental Conference in Kampala, Uganda. Auxiliary Board Member Mrs. Beth McKenty was instrumental in getting the article and has worked with Ebony on the material.
  • In April 1965 Ebony carried a feature story on the Faith titled: "Bahá'í: A Way of Life for Millions."
  • The July 1965 issue of the magazine carried a quarter-page advertisement on the Bahá'í Faith which has been one of the most successful ads in terms of response. [National Bahá'í Review No 3 March 1968 p10]
  • Auxiliary board members; Beth McKenty; Ebony magazine; Proclamation; United States (USA)
    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.
    • For a description of this event see BW10:158–61.
    • For the programme see BW10:162–70.
    • For a list of the countries participating in the conference see BW10:168.
    • This event was attended by a number of Canadian Bahá'ís. iiiii

    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, Manitoba
    List 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; Chicago, IL; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette
    1950 (Summer)
    195-
    Angus and Bobbie Cowan relocated from Pickering, Ontario to St James, Manitoba. [CBN 15 September 1950 p9] - Pioneers; Angus Cowan; Bobbie Cowan; Pickering, ON; St. James, MB
    1976 Oct
    197-
    Angus Cowan was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors where he served until 1986. Angus introduced the Faith to Dorothy Francis who became a Baha'i in 1960. Angus Cowan; Continental Board of Counsellors; Dorothy Francis
    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]
    • "Their two goals were to gain male Bahá'ís, and increase membership from ethnic communities, longing to be "a truly international group"
    Edmonton, AB; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1969 Mar
    196-
    As of this date, the Auxiliary Board Members in Canada served in the following areas:

    Mr. R. Ted Anderson; Yukon and McKenzie Territories, Alberta, British Columbia, and shared Franklin District with Peggy Ross.

    Mr. Fred Graham; Ontario, Quebec, The Maritimes

    Mrs. Peggy Ross; Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Keewatin District, and shared Franklin District with Ted Anderson. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 15 March 1969 p3]

    Auxiliary board members; Canada; Fred Graham; Peggy Ross; Ted Anderson
    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] Bill Gossen; Bill Lacey; Opposition; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Saskatoon, SK
    1975 (In the year)
    197-
    Association for Bahá'í Studies was founded in Canada, in 1975, to promote the systematic study of the Bahá'í Faith and its application to the needs of humanity.
      "...cultivate opportunities for formal presentations, courses and lectureships on the Bahá'í Faith in Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning." (Canada and the Five Year Plan, p. 14)
    Soon afterward, the Association expanded to serve the United States and Canada. Since that time, a network of affiliated Associations has emerged in other regions around the world. The Association operates a Centre for Bahá'í Studies, located in Ottawa, Canada, which coordinates the activities of the Association in North America. The Centre also serves as a site for research, information, and various forms of assistance and support for Bahá'í studies. [ABS; BW16:200]
    • For its history; terms of reference and programmes and publications see BW17:197–201.
    Association for Bahá'í Studies (North America); Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Ottawa, ON
    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
    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
    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 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 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 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] Toronto, ON; Winter schools
    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
    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
    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] - In Memoriam; Marion Jack; Sofia, Bulgaria
    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
    1950 Mar
    195-
    At this time there were 13 local spiritual assemblies in Canada. [CBN 13 May 1950 p12]
    1975 c. Aug
    197-
    Auxiliary Board Member Angus Cowan announced the appointment Mrs Stuart Hanks as Assistant for the province of Manitoba, Mr Don Rogers as Assistant for the province of Saskatchewan and Mrs Joyce McGuffie as Assistant for the First Nations communities.

    Auxiliary Board Member David Smith announced the appointment of Mr Douglas Wilson as Assistant for the territory of Central and Eastern Ontario. [CBN No 287 Aug/Sep 1975]

    Angus Cowan; Assistants; Auxiliary board members; Canada; David Smith; Douglas Wilson; Joyce McGuffie; Otto Donald Rogers; Stuart Hanks
    1982 2 – 5 Sep
    198-
    Bahá'í International Conference to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf was held in Montreal, Canada, attended by 9,400 Bahá'ís from 101 countries. [BW18:100; VV61; BC Vol 3 No 8 p3-16]
    • For the message of the Universal House of Justice see BW18:161–2.
    • For a pictorial report see BW18:151–4.
    • A two-member team was appointed by the National Assembly to coordinate the event: Jim Heidema, who was at that time manager of the National Centre and who handled all the logistical planning, and Elizabeth Martin who was made responsible for staging and program arrangements. [HNWE37]
    - Conferences, International; Bahiyyih Khanum (Greatest Holy Leaf); Conferences, Bahá'í; Elizabeth Martin; Jim Heidema; Montreal, QC
    1982 10 - 11 Apr
    198-
    Bahá'í International Health Agency was established as an affiliate of the Association for Bahá'í Studies. [BW18:201; VV25] Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Health and healing
    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] Bahiyyih Ford; Banff, AB; Harry Ford; Summer schools
    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]

    • Note that Shoghi Effendi had encouraged such a proclamation in the British community. UD379 refers.
    Ancaster, ON; Burlington, ON; Campbellville, ON; Dundas, ON; Forest, ON; Georgetown, ON; Ingersoll, ON; London, ON; Niagara Falls, ON; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Saltfleet, ON; St. Catharines, ON; St. Thomas, ON
    1951 26 Dec - 2 Jan
    195-
    Beaulac Winter School. [CBN No 23 November 1951 p 5]
  • A "shower was given for the Beaulac School to which all Bahá'ís in the greater Montreal area were invited. Lamps, sheets, towels, bedspreads, furniture and money were received. [CBN No 25 January 1952 p4]
  • Beaulac, QC; Winter schools
    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.

      One night, Shoghi Effendi asked me a question, which I could not answer, nor did I understand its significance at the time. Shoghi Effendi asked me: "Since after the martyrdom of the Báb the authority of the Faith was passed on to Bahá'u'lláh, and after His passing to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, to whom was it transferred after the ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá? I answered, of course, Shoght Effendi. He said no. I then said, the Guardian. He again shook his head. I then ventured the Universal House of Justice. He again said no, and I could see from his expression that he was disappointed with my inability to answer his question. Then he asked, are the friends not reading my letters? The answer he said, is clearly stated in The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. It is divided into four parts: Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the fourth part is entitled "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh", which is the answer to his question". [TG72]

    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; Haifa, Israel; Pilgrimage; Tending the Garden (book)
    1965 25 Feb
    196-
    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 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
    1970 's?
    197-
    Bijan Asdaghi was one of the first Persian Baha'is to immigrate to Canada prior to the Iranian revolution. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] Bijan Asdaghi; Diaspora, Iranian
    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]
  • During the time he spent there, from April 1954 to January 1956, Bruce worked at the hospital and later as a court reporter for the United States Air Force until his job was phased out.
  • In consultation with the Goals Committee, Bruce pioneered to Charlottetown, PE, then St. John's, NL, and Windsor, ON. The Goals Committee then suggested that Bruce go to Moncton, NB, and he finally settled in the community of Alliston, ON, north of Toronto. [CBN Vol4 Issue 2 Jun 1991 p11; KoB271; BW13p453]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bruce Matthews; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Goose Bay, NL; Moncton, NB; St. Johns, NL; Windsor, ON
    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:

    1. Opening following virgin territories eleven North America: Anticosti Island, Baranof Island, Cape Breton Island, Franklin, Grand Manan Island, Keewatin, Labrador, Magdalen Islands, Miquelon Island and St. Pierre Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, Yukon;
      Opening two Asias Marquesas Islands, Samoa Islands.
    2. Consolidation faith Iceland, Greenland, Mackenzie, Newfoundland.
    3. Purchase land Toronto anticipation construction first Haziratu'l-Quds Canada.
    4. Establishment national Bahá'í endowments.
    5. Doubling number local spiritual assemblies.
    6. Raising number incorporated spiritual assemblies nineteen.
    7. Formation Israel branch Canadian National Spiritual Assembly.
    8. Establishment American Asian teaching committees entrusted task stimulate coordinate teaching activities initiated plan.
      "Appeal members entire community worthy allies chief executors Abdu'l-Bahá's divine plan dedicate themselves immediate requirements steadily unfolding mission discharge nobly sacred strenuous tasks ahead contribute memorable share prosecution decade long world spiritual crusade pay befitting tribute through future accomplishments memory founder faith occasion most great jubilee commemorating centenary declaration his mission city Baghdad."
      (signed) Shoghi
    * Teaching Plans; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963)
    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.
  • For a list of delegates (18) see CBN No 18 Mar 1951 p2. For the agenda see CBN No 19 April 1951 p10-11.
  • Amelia Collins attended the Convention and gave the Canadian Bahá'í Community a lock of hair of Bahá'u'lláh as a gift from Shoghi Effendi. In addition, she gave a piece of Burmese alabaster from the Tomb of the Báb, These precious relics were placed in the Maxwell home archives in Montreal. [UC31]
  • Amelia Collins; Emeric Sala; John Robarts; Laura Davis; Lloyd Gardner; Mae McKenna; Montreal, QC; National Convention; National Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Relics; Rosemary Sala; Rowland Estall; Siegfried Schopflocher; Vancouver, BC; Winnifred Harvey
    1942 Ridván
    194-
    Canada's sixth and seventh spiritual assemblies formed in Halifax, NS, Hamilton, ON. [OBCC177] Halifax, NS; Hamilton, ON; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Winnipeg, MB
    1940 Ridván
    194-
    Canada's sixth spiritual assembly formed in Hamilton. It did not re-form in 1944. [OBCC177-178, UC16] Hamilton, ON; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1944 Ridván
    194-
    Canada's tenth and eleventh spiritual assemblies formed in Charlottetown, PE and Regina, SK. [OBCC178, 180] Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Regina, SK
    1981 Apr
    198-
    Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith was renamed the Association for Bahá'í Studies. [BBD202; VV24–5] Association for Bahá'í Studies (North America); Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Ottawa, 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. Grindstone, Magdalen Islands, QC; Larry Rowdon; Magdalen Islands, QC; Margaret Rowdon
    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. Bruce Francis; Joyce Devlin; Joyce Noble; Loretta Francis; Viki Ogal
    1982 (In the year)
    198-
    Canadian Bahá'í International Development Service was established. [BBRSM154] Development
    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; Don Dainty; Douglas Martin; Ear Falls, ON; Fred Graham; Gail Burland; Jeannie Seddon; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign
    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
    1964 30 May
    196-
    Charles W. Ryder - Assiniboine Saskatchewan Bahá'í declared during a Bahá'í sponsored International Powwow on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. Reporting about the Powwow Bahá'í News August 1964 page 15 states: ...the first declaration at Red Lake and the acceptance of the Faith by a visiting Canadian Indian, Charles Ryder, former chief of the Assiniboines in Saskatchewan. In addressing the gathering Mr. Ryder stated that he had been hearing speeches about brotherhood for many years, but had never seen it until this Powwow. [BN No401 August 1964 p15] Assiniboine, SK; Charles Ryder; Pow-Wow
    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 Chippewa Reserve, ON; Curve Lake First Nation, ON; John Hellson; Mohawk Reserve, ON; Mohawk Reserve, QC; Nanaimo Reserve, BC; Piikani First Nation, AB; Samson Knowlton; Squamish Reserve, BC; Teaching, Native
    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]
    • The Gulf Islands were not on the Guardians original list of pioneering goals but in January 1956, after several years of futile efforts to fill the goal of the Anticosti Island the Guardian gat the Canadian National Assembly permission to choose another goal. Mary Zabolotny did manage to fill the Anticosti goal but the Gulf Island goal remained.
    • They arrived with personal care worker Bernice Boulding who became a Bahá'í the following year, the first in the Gulf Islands. The first local assembly was formed on the 21st of April, 1964. The couple pioneered to St Helena arriving on the 9th of April, 1964. [KoB273-276]
    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Catherine Huxtable; Clifford Huxtable; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Salt Spring Island, BC
    1944 Ridván
    194-
    Completion of the Seven-Year Plan with 9 spiritual assemblies and 39 localities. (OBCC308] First Seven Year Plan; Statistics
    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] Auxiliary board members; Carol Bowie; David Bowie; Niagara Falls, ON
    1991 Ridván
    199-
    Delegates to Canada's 43rd annual National Convention, held in Charlottetown, PE, have elected the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada. The nine members are Husayn Banani, Hossain Danesh, Margot Leonard, Ed Muttart, Reggie Newkirk, Louise Profeit-LeBlanc, Enayat Rawhani, Michael Rochester, and Ann Wilson.

    The Canadian Bahá'í community elected 171 delegates at the Unit Conventions, as instructed by the Universal House of Justice. Of the 171 delegates, 164 cast ballots to elect the National Assembly. Of the 164, 155 cast their ballots in person at the Convention. Canada's 43rd annual National Convention will be remembered for many reasons, but especially for its focus on teaching French Canadians and Natives. [BC Vol 4 No 2 June 1991 P3]

    Ann Wilson; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Ed Muttart; Enayat Rawhani; Hossain Danesh; Husayn Banani; Louise Profeit-LeBlanc; Margot Leonard; Michael Rochester; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Reginald Newkirk
    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]
    • On his way from Churchill, Manitoba, to his pioneer post at Baker Lake, Dick Stanton presented a copy of Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era to the library of the Hudson Bay vessel which serviced that northern outpost. [BN No 276 November 1953 p4]
    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Baker Lake, NU; Dick Stanton; Ken McCulloch; Mary McCulloch
    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
    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] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Arno Chesley; Doris Richardson; Grand Manan Island, NB
    1978 Apr
    197-
    Dorothy Francis (b. 22 March 1912) was named to the Order of Canada for her outstanding service to the Aboriginal population of Western Canada. From the Saulteaux tribe she was born on the Waywayseecappo First Nation near Russell, MB and she and her husband became Bahá'ís in 1960 in Calgary. She helped found the first Friendship Centre in Regina and in Winnipeg. The preservation and the enrichment of First Nations culture and tradition led her to spearhead the organization of several First Nations Cultural Clubs. She received her metal of the Order of Canada in Ottawa and was the subject of a 30 minute film during the presentation. [BW17:103; VV29; BW20p990–991]
  • For a picture see BW17:103.
  • Calgary, AB; Dorothy Francis; Order of Canada; Waywayseecappo First Nation, AB
    1969 23 - 24 Jun
    196-
    Dorothy Francis made a teaching trip to Spokane, WA. Her visit was preceded by articles in two local papers and announcements of her itinerary. During her time there she has two television interviews and excellent press coverage as well as public service announcements promoting the meeting at which she spoke. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 21 September 1969 p6] Dorothy Francis; Spokane, WA
    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] Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Douglas Martin; Elizabeth Martin; Halifax, NS; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Saint John, NB
    1953 Aug
    195-
    Douglas Martin became a Bahá'í. [UC43] Douglas Martin; Toronto, ON
    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; Toronto, ON; Winnipeg, MB
    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] Allan Raynor; Hazira and Temple Grounds Committee; Toronto, ON
    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.) Blackfoot First Nation, AB; Edmund Many Bears; Siksika Nation, AB
    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] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Edythe MacArthur; Queen Charlotte Island, BC
    1976 (In the year)
    197-
    Elizabeth Martin with Chris Lyons made a film called Retrospective, a memoir of Hand of the Cause John Robarts. It included his reminiscences of the Guardian and of the early days of the Faith in Canada. [HNWE36] - Film; - Hands of the Cause; Chris Lyons; Elizabeth Martin; John Robarts; Retrospective; Toronto, ON
    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; May Maxwell; Rosemary Sala; St. Lambert, QC; Travel teaching
    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
    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
    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]
    • This book is not available for purchase but can be read at Bahaiworks.
    David Hofman; Emeric Sala; This Earth One Country
    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]
  • The Winnipeg Assembly has adopted Emmanuel Rock in Samoa. [CBN No47 December 1953 p1]
  • - Pioneers; Emmanuel Rock; Samoa
    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] Anne McGee; Calgary, AB; Doris Skinner; Evelyn Cliff; Sylvia King; Vancouver, BC; Winnipeg, MB
    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} Beijing, China; George Spendlove; Nanjing, China; Shanghai, China
    1980 2 - 4 Jun
    198-
    Fifth Annual Conference of the Association of Bahá'í Studies was held in Ottawa.

    A group of lectures were given on the life and work of Hand of the Cause Mr. Hasan Balyuzi. Dr. Abbas Afnan and Dr. Muhammed Afnan, both of whom are relations of Mr. Balyuzi and belong to the family of the Blessed Bab, talked about Mr. Balyuzi's illustrious lineage. Hand of the Cause of God, Mr. John Robarts provided an appreciation of Mr. Balyuzi's service as a member of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause. Mr. Douglas Martin gave the final talk of the lectureship session reviewing the immense work of Mr. Balyuzi as an historian. The Association has established a continuing lectureship in Bahá'í history, in Mr. Balyuzi's honour.

    Another new feature of the annual conference was the presentation of awards for the three best essays and research on Bahá'í studies. Catherine Nelson-McDermott of British Columbia was the recipient of an award for the best essay in the high school category for her paper, "Tahirih". Alanna Robertson of Prince Edward Island was chosen in the univer- sity category for her essay entitled; "Music: Its Influence on the Spirit". Robert Stockman of Rhode Island received the award for the best research in the individual category for his work, "'A History of the Rhode Island Baha'i Community". Each winner was the guest of the Association, presented his/ her paper during the conference, and received a commemo- rative plaque.

    The presentations on the theme of history were very well received. Dr. Alan Ward's talk, "'Abdu'1l-Bahá and the American Press", set the tone of the conference, with ease, humour and clarity. Gol Aidun recounted the relationship of Manakji Limji Hataria, an historical figure in the Zoroastrian community, with the Bahá'í Faith. Stephen Whitney's paper entitled "The Second Century", reviewed the condition of the major religions in their second century of existence and compared their history to the second century of the Bahá'í Faith. A major presentation by Dr. Jean-René Milot of the University of Montreal entitled "L'Origine de la foi baha'i sur l'arriére plan shi'ie", was given. This talk by an invited guest speaker enabled the friends to witness the accuracy and fairness with which truly informed non-Baha'i scholars could view the Bahá'í Faith.

    The panel presentation on ''Baha'i Scholarship" was inaugurated this year and was very successful. A special addition was a presentation by Mr. Richard St. Barbe Baker en- titled ''The Founding of the Men of the Trees".

    News of the decision to proceed at once with the planned purchase of a building to house the offices of the Association and gradually expand into a Centre for Baha'i Studies gave a final note of excitement and confirmation to the year's proceedings. [BCVol 2 No 12 September/October 1980 p29]

    Abbas Afnan; Alanna Robertson; Allan L. Ward; Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Catherine Nelson-McDermott; Douglas Martin; Gol Aidun; Jean-René Milot; Jean-René Milot; John Robarts; Muhammed Afnan; Ottawa, ON; Robert Stockman; Stephen Whitney
    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]

    Elsie Austin; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of
    1948 7 - 14 Aug
    194-
    First Baha'i conference held at Franklin Camp. Georgian Bay, Ontario. See photo. [Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh Georgian Bay, ON; Summer schools
    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] Belleville, ON; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Florence Mayberry; Hamilton, ON; Ingersoll, ON; Kingston, ON; Montreal, QC; Peterborough, ON; Québec City, QC; St. Lambert, QC; Travel teaching; Westmount, QC
    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] Brandon, MB; Calgary, AB; Florence Mayberry; Moose Jaw, SK; Regina, SK; Saskatoon, SK; Travel teaching; Vernon, BC; Victoria, BC; Winnipeg, MB
    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.
  • The following day friends gathered in Mount Royal Cemetery for a commemorative service for her father, Sutherland Maxwell. Rose petals from the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh were scattered on the grave. [CBN Vol 13 No 3 July 2000 p5]
  • She was accompanied by Hand of the Cause and member of the International Council Amelia Collins. [CBN No 41 June 1953 p3; CBN No 45 October, 1953 p3]
  • Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Amelia Collins; Montreal, QC; Montreal Shrine; William Sutherland Maxwell
    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]
    • Visits were also made to Winnipeg,London, Ottawa, Toronto, and Kingston and others. [CBN No 42 July, 1954 p5]
    • The tour concluded in the Maritimes with visits to Moncton and lastly Saint John. [CBN No 43 August, 1953 p2]
    - Hands of the Cause; `Alí-Akbar Furútan; Edmonton, AB; Kingston, ON; London, ON; Moncton, NB; Ottawa, ON; Saint John, NB; Winnipeg, MB
    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]
  • For a number of messages of condolence and an account of the funeral of Shoghi Effendi see CBN No 95 Dec 1957 p5-8.
  • Shoghi Effendi, Passing of
    1951 Aug
    195-
    For a list of Local Spiritual Assemblies and National Committees see CBN No21 August 1951 p4-5. Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Committees
    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.

    Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Committees
    1942 (In the year)
    194-
    Four others joined the Faith in Edmonton in 1942. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] Conversion; Edmonton, AB
    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]

    Audrey Rayne; Carol Bowie; David Bowie; Fred Graham; Halifax, NS; K. Ross; Michelle Bowie; Naming ceremony; Niagara Falls, ON
    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] Fred Schopflocher; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Wilmette, IL
    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]

    He also pioneered to Honduras and later to Colombia. In the middle of 1940's Gerrard Sluter was removed from the rolls by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Shoghi Effendi later declared him a Covenant-breaker for his persistent political involvement. Later Sluter appealed to the judicial courts of Colombia to demand the cancellation of the legal status of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bogota. He failed in all his lawsuits against the Assembly. [BNVol2p315]. Note: This reference is not correct and is currently under investigation.

    The office of the U.S. Archives provided the following information:

      ..., During 1946 and 1947 he wrote copiously to the U.S. National Assembly and to the Inter-America Teaching Committee, making diffuse accusations against those bodies and against several Bahá’ís in Colombia.... The last message we found from the US National Assembly to Sluter is dated January 10, 1947; it counseled him to moderate his actions and referred to an earlier decision by the Bogota Assembly... The correspondence with Sluter in both the NSA and Inter-America Teaching Committee files ends in 1947. [from an email from Edward Sevcik, Archivist, 2025 May]
    Bogota, Colombia; Covenant-breaking; Gerrard Sluter-Schlutius; Guatemala; Honduras; Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON
    1944 (In the year)
    194-
    Grace Lotus Pedersen, an enthusiastic Bahá'í youth from Montana, pioneered to Regina during the First Seven Year Plan.

    Later she married John Neilsen, a Dane, and they pioneered to Greenland. [CBN No 196 May 1966 p6]

    - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Grace Neilsen; John Neilsen; Montana, USA; Regina, SK
    1926 (In the year)
    192-
    Green Acre came under the direct supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada. [GAP118] Green Acre Bahá’í School; National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada
    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] Hamilton, ON; Hands of the Cause, Activities; London, ON; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; Toronto, ON; Zikrullah Khadem
    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; Hamilton, ON; London, ON; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; Toronto, ON; Zikrullah Khadem
    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] Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Winnipeg, MB
    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/
    • During May, in the course of a trip through Canada, Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi visited a number of Indian Reserves. Accompanied by two members of the National Eskimo and Indian Teaching Committee of Canada, he stopped at the Poorman Reserve in Saskatchewan where a pow-wow was held in his honour and also at the Muscowpetung Reserve. Earlier he had visited Ontario Indians, and later he went on to the Peigan Reserve in Alberta, and to British Columbia.

      Mr. Balyuzi's talks were simple and direct, and appealed to the hearts of the many who came to hear him. At the Poorman Reserve, the chief and his wife walked three miles to meet him. There the Hand of the Cause, a relative of the Báb Himself, and thus a relative of beloved Shoghi Effendi, expressed gratitude to the Guardian for making the meeting possible. [Bahá'í News No 366 September 1961 118 BE p9]

    Hasan Balyuzi; Muscowpetung First Nations Reserve, AB; Piikani First Nation, AB; Poorman Reserve, SK; Teaching, Native
    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]
  • He had made a stop in Iceland en route to Gander where he met with Bruce Matthew and Bill Howell. [CBN No 99 April 1958 p7]
  • He shared with the friends his pioneering experience in Africa, the meeting of the Hands in London and in the Holy Land after the passing of the Guardian as well of the dedication of the Temple in Kampala that he attended just prior to his departure for Canada.
  • Mr. Robarts focused on the revitalization of the believers and constantly emphasized the power of prayer in beseeching assistance in winning the goals with special emphasis on the Prayer for Canada, the Tablet of Ahmad and the Long Obligatory Prayer. [CBN No 126 July 1960 p4]
  • He spent several weeks visiting communities in Quebec and Ontario, Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Ottawa and others. [CBN No99 April, 1958 p7]
  • In Saskatoon he performed the marriage of Ericka Janzen and Tom Gossen. [CBN No 100 May, 1958 p3]
  • Ericka Janzen; Hamilton, ON; John Robarts; London, ON; Moncton, NB; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; Tom Gossen; Toronto, ON
    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]
  • The site was located in North York Township on Cummer Avenue, east of Bayview. This property was later sold for nine times the purchase price in order to buy the large property on Leslie Street in Thornhill in 1968. [UC78]
  • For a photo of those attending this event see [CBN No 107 December 1958 p3]
  • - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); John Robarts; North York, ON; Siegfried Schopflocher
    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
    1970 (Early Oct)
    197-
    Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga arrived in Halifax. The next day he gave an address at the Cherry Brook High School. [CBN244Nov1970p1] - Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga; Halifax, NS
    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; Hamilton, ON; Paul Haney; Toronto, 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]
  • For details of the visit see [CBN No 129 October 1960 p3-4; BN No 356 November 1960 p2].
  • Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Piikani First Nation, AB
    1953 11 - 28 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; CBN #42 July 1953 p2] Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Regina, SK; Saskatoon, SK; Siegfried Schopflocher; Travel teaching; Winnipeg, MB
    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
    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; MD244-246]
  • Talk at St. James Methodist Church, 463 Sainte Catherine Street, West, to a gathering of 1200. In the talk He indicated that Canada shared much the same destiny as the United States. [PUP312; ABC37-43, 48; AB264-265]
      Praise be to God! I find these two great American nations highly capable and advanced in all that appertains to progress and civilization. These governments are fair and equitable. The motives and purposes of these people are lofty and inspiring. Therefore, it is my hope that these revered nations may become prominent factors in the establishment of international peace and the oneness of the world of humanity; that they may lay the foundations of equality and spiritual brotherhood among mankind; that they may manifest the highest virtues of the human world, revere the divine lights of the Prophets of God and establish the reality of unity so necessary today in the affairs of nations.
  • See the film Abdu'l-Bahá in Canada by Fred Rohani, produced by Faramarz Rohani and narrated by Laylee Delaine.
  • - Film; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, St James Methodist Church (Montreal, Quebec); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at churches; `Abdu'l-Bahá in Montreal; Faramarz Rohani; Fred Rohani; Laylee Delaine; Montreal, QC
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    Helen F Grand became a member of the Bahá'í community in Toronto. [FF123] Helen Grand; Toronto, ON
    1946 - 1950
    194-
    Helen Poissant who had learned of the Faith in Winnipeg from Lillian Tomlinson, pioneered to Saskatoon. [OBCC186] - Pioneers; Helen Poissant; Lillian Tomlinson; Saskatoon, SK; Winnipeg, MB
    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; MD227-230]
  • In the morning the pastor of the Unitarian Church came with several others to visit 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The Master discussed the elimination of religious superstitions and prejudices which are contrary to science and commons sense and which are obstacles to the attainment of the foundation of truth of the divine religions. [MD227]
  • He granted an interview with a newspaper reporter. His questions were about His life and the history of the cause. [MD228]
  • In the afternoon, at the invitation of Mr. Maxwell, 'Abdu'l-Bahá went for a ride in the carriage. His comment, when He saw the college buildings was:
    "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]
  • They visited the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame. He gazed at the vast cathedral, its ornamentation and numerous statues and spoke of its grandeur and embellishments. Standing in an open sped at the entrance, He said:
    "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]
  • In the evening there was a well-attended meeting at 'Abdu'l-Bahá's residence and following the talk many requested private interviews. Among those was the president of the socialist organization who invited the Master to speak to his group. [MD230]
  • Among those who came was the Reverend F.J. Griffin, the minister of the Church of the Messiah, Unitarian, who was to introduce Him to his congregation on the following morning. 'Abdu'l-Bahá presented him with an armful of American Beauty roses. [ABC57]
  • The list of those attending this first reception included: Martha McBean, a cousin of Sutherland Maxwell, someone who shared with him the distinction of being one of the two first declared believers of Canadian birth, Mrs V S Pomeroy with her daughters, Mary and Elise and Elizabeth Cowles, Miss Anne Savage (librarian), Mrs George S Thompson, Percy Woodcock, Prof Armstrong (McGill University), Dr Carmichael, Dr Johnson, Mr Wright, Mr John Lewis (editor of the Montreal Daily Star) and Mr Archie Eddington and his wife. [Excerpts from the account of Amine De Mille from ABC55-57]
  • Attending as well were the two children of the Maxwell household Mary Maxwell and Eddie Elliot, the mother of a servant. He would later become a member of the Montreal Local Assembly and was the only member of his race to become a Bahá'í in Montreal in his lifetime. [Excerpts from the account of Amine De Mille from ABC55-57]
  • `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá in Montreal; Eddie Elliot; F. J. Griffin, Reverend; Martha McBean; Maxwell residence, Montreal, QC; Montreal, QC; Montreal Shrine
    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
    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
    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] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Howard Gilliland; Labrador, NL
    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
    1983 Ridván
    198-
    In 1983 the institution of the National Convention went through another of its periodic bouts of growing pains. Attendance again was limited to the delegates and the members of the two participating Institutions, the Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly, although members of the Auxiliary Board were also welcome as guests and observers. Prior to the Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly had sent to all delegates a list of questions on which it felt the incoming membership of the Assembly would most urgently need the delegates' advice. In the same mailing, the delegates received the Annual Report from the National Assembly and reports from each one of the national committees.

    Those elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly were: Douglas Martin (sec'y), Hossain Danesh [chair), Jane Faily, Ed Muttart (treasurer and ass't sec'y), Ruth Eyford, Michael Rochester (vice), Glen Eyford, Husayn Banani, and William Hatcher. [CBN Vol5 Issue3 July/Aug 1983 p23; CBN Vol5 Issue 2 May/Jun 1983 p20]

    Douglas Martin; Ed Muttart; Glen Eyford; Guelph, ON; Hossain Danesh; Husayn Banani; Jane Faily; Michael Rochester; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Ruth Eyford; William Hatcher
    1969 27 Jul
    196-
    In a cable from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land it was announced that Mason Remey had been expelled from the Faith. [CBN No 128 September 1960 p1; MoC223]
  • In a subsequent message dated the 5th of August the names of eight others who had followed him were also made public. Five were members of the French National Assembly. [CBN No 128 September 1960 p1; MoC223-224]
  • 26 of the 27 existing National/Regional Assemblies had advised the Hands in the Holy Land that they had repudiate his claim to the Guardianship.
  • Charles Mason Remey; Covenant-breaking
    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]

    - Bahá'í World Centre; Canada; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres)
    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]
  • See other correspondence on this theme: UD122; UD134; UD259
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Exemption; Military; Military (armed forces); United Kingdom
    1955 2 May
    195-
    In a letter from the International Bahá'í Council that has been entitled Progress at the 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] - Bahá'í World Centre; International Bahá'í Council (1951-1963)
    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
    1983 1 Sep
    198-
    In a message addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of Norway the Universal House of Justice included a six-point summary of "the essential requisites for our spiritual growth". Written on behalf of the House of Justice, this significant letter expressed its confidence that if the believers practised the suggested disciplines they would penetrate the "miasma of materialism" impeding the growth of the Faith in Europe. The suggestions have been gleaned from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and were stressed again and again in the talks and Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The points were:
    1. The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.
    2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.
    3. Prayerful meditation on the Teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.
    4. Striving every day to bring our behavior more into accordance with the high standards that are set forth in the Teachings.
    5. Teaching the Cause of God.
    6. Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession.

    They also suggested that in their private meditation the believers use the repetition of the Greatest Name, Alláh-u-Abhá, ninety-five times a day which, although at that time it was not yet applied in the West, it was among the Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

  • See Personal Pathway for Spiritual Growth : A Personal Commentary on the Universal House of Justice's Six Requisites for Spiritual Growth by David and Carol Bowie.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Materialism; Meditation and contemplation; Spiritualization
    1991 14 Nov
    199-
    In a message from Hand of the Cause A.M. Varqá, the Office of the Trustee, the Institution of the Huqúqu'lláh, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, the formation of the Board of Trustees of the Huqúqu'lláh was announced. Members were Mr. Husayn Banání, Dr. Mohsen Enayat, Dr. Gerald Hanks, Dr. Bill Hatcher, and Dr. Michael Rochester. [CBNJan92 p2] Firsts, other; Gerald Hanks; Huqúqu'lláh; Huququllah, Trustees of; Husayn Banani; Michael Rochester; Mohsen Enayat; William Hatcher
    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 (1953-1963)
    1957 Oct
    195-
    In a message to the National Spiritual Assembly the Guardian said of the Canadians believers:

      "The fortuitous combination of British solidity and good judgement and American get-up-and-go and enthusiasm, which has characterized Canada, must not be lost in the Canadian Bahá'í Community. Its members must demonstrate their out-standing abilities, and through a greater vision, more consecration and renewed self-sacrifice, arise and attain their goals." [CBN NO 92 Oct 1957 p1-2]
    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
    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
    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] Funds
    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] Canada; Great Circle Route; Jameson Bond; Qiblih
    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.
  • To make it possible for the Auxiliary Boards to fulfill their mission, the Guardian transmitted an initial contribution of five thousand pounds to be equally divided among the five continents, and appealed to both individuals and National Assemblies to augment these funds. [BN No 28 June 1954 p6]
  • In Africa there were eight new Auxiliary Board Members and among them were Elsie Austin, 'Alí Nakhjavání, John Robarts, William Sears, and 'Azíz Yazdi. [UC49]
  • Alí Nakhjavání; Auxiliary board members; Aziz Yazdi; Elsie Austin; Florence Mayberry; Gayle Woolson; John Robarts; Katherine McLaughlin; Margery McCormick; Rowland Estall; Sarah Pereira; William Sears
    1979 28 - 30 Dec
    197-
    In June of this year the executive office of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith moved to Ottawa. After consultation on the message to Canada from the Universal House of Justice which stated to ''... further develop the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith'', the executive committee decided to lower membership rates to encourage wider membership. It was also decided to renew memberships each Naw-Ruz.

    Four regional conferences were held in this, the 4th year of the Association for Bahá'í Studies, in Halifax, Toronto, Saskatoon and Vancouver, all on the same dates. [BC Vol 2 No 3 July/August 1979 p9]

    Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Halifax, NS; Saskatoon, SK; Toronto, ON; 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] - Bahá'í World Centre; International Bahá'í Council (1951-1963)
    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 Assemblies; Toronto, ON
    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]
    • The Vancouver Bahá'í Archives has a photo of the first Bahá'í group in Edmonton in 1942 with Anne McGee, Lyda Martland, Milwyn Davies, Kay Rimell, Anita Ioas (later Chapman). This photo is Plate 30 in OBCC152.
    Anita Ioas Chapman; Anne McGee; Edmonton, AB; Kay Rimell; Lyda Martland; Milwyn Davies
    1976 - 1977
    197-
    In the International Survey of Current Bahá'í Activities of the Bahá'í World special mention was made of the marathon voyage of Mohsen and Felicity Enayat, travelling teachers from Canada, who for nearly two years travelled across the length and breadth of West Africa, touching almost every country in the zone. Their love, devotion and humility coupled with their deep knowledge and creative methods of teaching and deepening, made them especially effective wherever they went. [BW17p149]
  • It was mentioned that Felicity and Mohsen played a valuable role at the training institute held in Yaoundé. [BW16p163]
  • Mohsen Enayat
    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] Archives; Hartwell Bowsfield; National Archivist; Shoghi Effendi, letters of
    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
    1920 -1965
    196-
    In the surveyed period, 1920-1965, seventeen Blacks enrolled in the Bahá'í Faith in Canada.
    1920-1942: four enrollments
    1943-1946: eight new adherents
    1947-1965: five names on record.
    [Black Roses in Canada's Mosaic: Four Decades of Black History by Will C. van den Hoonaard Lynn Echevarria-Howe.]
    Race; Statistics
    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
    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
    1965 16 - 18 Jul
    196-
    International Indian Pow Wow Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan was the site of an International Indian Pow Wow. This event was jointly sponsored by the Canadian Bahá'í Western Reserves Teaching Committee and the American Indian Service Committee and attracted many participants from both countries: Native and non-Native, Bahá'í and not-yet Bahá'í . [Bahá'í News No. 87 MAY 1965 122BE] Fort Qu'Appelle, SK; International Indian Pow Wow
    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]
    • Frederick and Jeanne Allen arrived one day later and opened a small grocery store a few kilometers from Sydney. They remained until 1961 when they were asked to return to Charlottetown to maintain the Assembly. [KoB280-282; BW15458-459]
    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Baddeck, NS; Cape Breton Island, NS; Frederick Allen; Grace Geary; Irving Geary; Jeanne Allen; Sydney, NS
    1953 20 Nov
    195-
    Israel Branch of the Bahá'ís of Canada was formed. [MtC174,204,213-214]

    In the message to the National Conventions dated 17 April 1954 Shoghi Effendi announced that "Israel Branches of the British, the Persian, the Canadian and the Australian Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies have been legally established, recognized formally as Religious Societies by the Israeli Civil Authorities, and empowered to hold without restriction title to immovable property in any part of the country on behal'f of their parent assemblies." [Bahá'í Canada Special Insert June 1954]

    On 4 December 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..." [MtC213-214]

    "The land on Mount Carmel which the Guardian had instructed to be registered in the name of the Israel Branch of the Canadian Assembly was transferred to the title of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, Israel Branch, on October 1, 1954". Quoted from a letter from Leroy Ioas. [CBN No 61 February, 1955 p1]

    The title deed for "Parcel No. 304, Block 10811, Mount Carmel, Haifa." was sent to the National Assembly. [MtC213-214]

    - Bahá'í World Centre; Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada
    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
    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
    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
    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] Hamilton, ON; Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation
    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; Military (armed forces); Recognition (legal)
    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
    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] - Pioneers; Blair Fuller; Greenland
    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] Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Fran Bachynski; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1990 22 Feb
    199-
    Jalál Kházeh, (b. 24 February, 1897, Tihran) Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Toronto. He was buried in York Cemetery in Toronto. [BINS219:90]

    Note: VV123 says it was 20 February.

    • He was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God on the 6th of December, 1953 after the passing of Hand of the Cause of God Siegfried Schopflocher. [MoCxxiv]
    • See LoF164-167 for a short biography.
    • Find a grave.
    - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Jalál Kháḍih; Toronto, ON
    1973 09 Feb
    197-
    Jalál performed with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (73 musicians) at the Centennial Auditorium. The band had been commissioned in late 1972 to write an orchestrated work to perform with the symphony orchestra conducted by Dwaine Nelson. Their work was in two parts; the first was called 'Prologue', and the second 'Love is the Mystery of Divine Revelation'.
  • Prior to the performance they had two rehearsals with the Symphony. They were greeted by a packed house of more than 2,000 persons. The group opened with a pop song from the Turtles called Elenore, backed by the symphony string section. Also included in the performance were a number of other original tunes which Jalál played without orchestra. In additon, Larry Brown performed a 15 minute solo classical guitar piece; Chaconne by J.S. Bach, transcribed by Segovia for classical guitar. It was the first time he had played classical guitar in public.
  • After the intermission Jalál and the orchestra came back together to perform Prologue, and Love is the Mystery of Divine Revelation. At the conclusion of the formal concert in the auditorium, the audience was invited to the cabaret room on the lower level to "rock out" with Jalál and a number of musician-friends. [Facebook post THE SPARK: 1967 - 1973 9 FEBRUARY 2020]
  • Dwaine Nelson; Jalal (musical group); Saskatoon, SK
    1972 Jan
    197-
    Jalál was founded by three members of the Mozart Group, Larry Brown, Rodney Konopaki, and Garry Brown, and then joined by keyboardist Jack Lenz in July of the same year. After having toured across Canada for nine months and the group eventually settled in Toronto. [Facebook posting THE SPARK: 1967 - 1973 9 FEBRUARY 2020] Garry Brown; Jack Lenz; Jalal (musical group); Larry Brown; Mozart Group; Rodney Konopaki; Saskatoon, SK; Toronto, ON
    1948 May
    194-
    James Loft, a Mohawk from near Belleville became a Bahá'í, according to OBCC62, the first Native to enroll.
    • See OBCC62 or RT14 for the story of how he saw 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the window of His passing train in 1912 as He travelled from Montreal to Buffalo.
    Belleville, ON; Jim Loft
    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] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Arctic Bay, NU; Cambridge Bay, NU; Gale Bond; Jameson Bond
    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. Blackfoot First Nation, AB; Edmund Many Bears; Jean Many Bears
    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]

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Louis Bourgeois; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Sacramento, CA; Saint-Célestin de Nicolet, QC; Wilmette, IL
    1949 Jan (Late)
    194-
    Jim and Melba Loft and their children, Sam, Arthur and Evelyn returned to Tyendinaga First Nation from Marysville Michigan. [RT43]
    • The first to respond to their teaching was a white couple, Bert and Elizabeth Curtis. [CBN 15 September 1950 p8-9]
    • Later Melba Loft became the first woman ever to he nominated as a candidate for election to the Indian Council (First Nation Council) of the Tyendinaga Reserve (Tyendinaga First Nation). [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]
    • Evelyn Loft was officially commended by the government agent for the honour she has brought to the reserve by her excellent standing at Belleville Collegiate Institute. [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]
    Arthur Loft; Evelyn Loft Watts; Jim Loft; Melba Loft; Sam Loft; Tyendinaga First Nation, ON
    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] Mírzá Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; Montreal, QC; Travel teaching
    1937 (In the year)
    193-
    John and Audrey Robarts became Bahá'ís in Toronto. [OBCC151] - Hands of the Cause; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Audrey Robarts; John Robarts; 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]
  • Upon departure, as they passed through Montreal, Rosemary Sala presented 13-year-old Tina with a large box containing 21 individually wrapped presents to be opened, one per day, on their 21-day sea voyage. [TG121]
  • Later the same year he was appointed to the newly established Auxiliary Board by Hand of the Cause of God Músá Banání. They returned to Canada some 13 years later. [LOF486, 491]
  • - Africa; - Hands of the Cause; Audrey Robarts; Auxiliary board members; Botswana; Canada; Gerald Robarts; John Robarts; Nigeria; Patrick Robarts; Tina Robarts
    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]
    • John was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly from 1948–53.
    • In 1953 they became Knights of Bahá'u'lláh when they pioneered to Bechuanaland sailing from Saint John on the 6th of January. [CBN No 50 March 1954 p2]
    • from John and Audrey Robarts. "They are now comfortably settled at Mafeking, where they were fortunate enough to buy an attractive bungalow with electrical equipment and furniture a few days after their arrival. Housing is very scarce in Mafeking and people who have been living in hotels for months looking for accommodation eye them with envy. The house is situated in an orchard with 12 varieties of fruit, and overlooks a golf course on one side and a fine school playground on the other. John had a choice of positions offered him in the insurance field, Nina has an excellent school and Patrick is in Johannesburg at university." [CBN No52 May 1954 p2]
    • In 1957 John Robarts was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God. [14 May 1954. Messages to Canada]
    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Aldham Robarts; Audrey Robarts; John Robarts; Patrick Robarts; Tina Robarts; Toronto, ON
    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] Beaulac, QC; John Robarts; Laurentian Bahá'í School, Quebec
    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.
  • The National Spiritual Assembly received a refund of taxes paid since the acquisition of the property. [CBN No 99 April, 1958 p2-3]
  • Montreal, QC; Montreal Shrine
    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] Louis G. Gregory; Montreal, QC; Race amity
    1969 (In the year)
    196-
    Karyne Hyde, the 16 year old daughter of Eric and Novella Hyde of Comox, BC, was awarded a scholarship by the Rotarians to study in Brazil. She was sent to Governador Valadares, a city of about 200,000 located some 900km north of São Paulo and enrolled the first year of study in Normal of Imaculate Conception Institute where all her studies were in Portuguese. During her stay she was billeted with one host family for a period of three months and then was assigned to another Rotarian host family. Living with different families enabled the exchange students to broaden their experience. [CBN No 228 April 1969 Jeunesse Oblige] Comox, BC; Eric Hyde; Karyne Hyde; Novella Hyde
    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] Katherine Moscrop; Regina, SK
    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] Calgary, AB; Doris Skinner; Katherine Moscrop; Mae McKenna; Radio; Rowland Estall
    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) - Biography; - Pioneers; Bahá'í House; Baker Lake, NU; Inuit languages; Ken McCulloch; Mary McCulloch
    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] Haifa, Israel; Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada
    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; Québec City, QC; Toronto, ON
    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] May Maxwell; Mirza Ahmad Sohrab; Montreal, QC
    1950 -07-28
    195-
    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] Helen Gardner; Lloyd Gardner; North York, ON; Travel teaching
    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; St. Johns, NL; Teaching
    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] Calgary, AB; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Vernon, BC
    1941 (In the year)
    194-
    Long-time Alberta resident Mabel Pine moved to Edmonton from Vermilion. [OBCC:217; Edmonton Bahá'í History]
    • She had first arrived in Edmonton in 1912 where she studied to become a nurse. Some time after graduation she moved to BC where she accepted the Faith.
    • In 1925 she returned to AB where she spent the rest of her life promoting the Faith. [The Distance Traversed: a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022]
    Edmonton, AB; Mabel Pine; Vermillion, AB
    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] Hamilton, ON; Lulu Barr; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Saskatoon, SK
    1986 (Summer)
    198-
    Margaret and Larry Rowdon pioneered to Montserrat. The island of Montserrat is in the Leeward Islands, which is part of the Lesser Antilles chain in the West Indies. They stayed for six years.

    In 1989 they experienced a hurricane. Although the eye of the hurricane missed Montserrat, Hugo still produced sustained winds of 140 mph and pounded the island. Nearly every home on Montserrat was destroyed or heavily damaged, leaving 11,000 of the island's 12,000 inhabitants homeless.

    Larry subsequently wrote a short biography of their time there appropriately titled In the Path of the Wind: Recollections of Montserrat.

    Larry Rowdon; Margaret Rowdon; Montserrat
    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] - Pioneers; Margaret Reid; St. Johns, NL
    1931 Apr
    193-
    Marion Jack arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria, to begin her pioneering service. - Pioneers; Marion Jack; Sofia, Bulgaria
    1930 (In the year)
    193-
    Marion Jack departed Canada for pilgrimage in Haifa and then settled in Sofia, Bulgaria. [OBCC307] - Pioneers; Marion Jack; Sofia, Bulgaria
    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
    1931 Mar
    193-
    Marion Jack painted a view from the Mansion at Bahjí. The painting was eventually hung in the Mansion. [CT174] Bahji, Israel; Marion Jack
    1922 (Summer)
    192-
    Marion Jack visited PE to paint at the invitation of Isander Wanda Wyatt. [OBCC110] Isander Wanda Wyatt; Marion Jack; Prince Edward Island, Canada
    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.
  • Peggy Ross of Scarboro gave a course on "The Reality of Man".
  • The Charlottetown friends presented the play written by Ruhiyyih Khanum, A Spiritual Assembly's Growing Pains. This play included a scene from a real incident which took place in early Montreal Bahá'í history between Ruhiyyih Khanum and Charlottetown Bahá'í Ernest Harrison. [CBN No 45 October 1953 p4]
  • - Conferences; - Plays; Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Ernest Harrison; Little Sands, Prince Edward Island; Maritime Summer Conference; Peggy Ross; Spiritual Assembly's Growing Pains (play)
    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] Marjorie Wheeler; Pioneering, Yukon; Yukon, Canada
    1940 (In the year)
    194-
    Mary E. Fry moved to Edmonton from Vancouver. [OBCC217] - Pioneers; Edmonton, AB; Mary Fry; Vancouver, BC
    1902 8 May
    190-
    May Bolles married Sutherland Maxwell in London and moved from Paris to Montreal. [BW8:635; GPB260; MM1p87]

    It can be said that the history of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada began at this point.

    London, ON; May Maxwell; Montreal, QC; William Sutherland Maxwell
    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]

    Brockville, ON; Mírzá Enayatullah; Percy Woodcock; Prof. M. Barakatullah
    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]
  • Greta Jankko arrived March 5th after visiting friends in San Francisco, Samoa and Papeete. She reported a warm hospitality from the friends wherever she went. [CBN No51 Apr 1954 p4]
  • Greta Jankko reportedly left the island for Finland. [CBN No61 Feb 1955 p2]
  • - Pioneers; 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]
  • Emmanuel Rock and Lilian Wyss have organized the Bahá'í Group of Apia, are making regular contributions, are helping with Samoan translations and have been able to do a good deal of teaching. They may well establish the first local assembly of the region. [CBN No51 Apr 1954 p6]
  • - Pioneers; Apia, Samoa; Lilian Wyss; Samoa
    1971 11 Feb
    197-
    Montreal Municipality issued a permit recognizing the Maxwell home as a Bahá'í Shrine after nine years of negotiations and delays. With this struggle came a hidden blessing. For years the Shrine had been used as a Bahá'í Centre by the Montreal community, open also to friends of the area as a place to hold public meetings, open Feasts, and certain activities not always suited to it as a Shrine. The realization was made that it was a National Bahá'í Shrine and as such should not be used as a centre. [CBNApril1971p10] Montreal, QC; Montreal Shrine; Recognition (legal)
    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] Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Maritime Fall Conference; Peggy Ross
    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] Alan Fraser; Banff, AB; Bob Donnelly; Conferences, Teaching; Helen Bishop; Lulu Barr
    1910 (In the year)
    191-
    Mr and Mrs Henry Stark Culver, Bahá'ís from New York City, who had learned of the Faith from the Magee family when they lived the in London, ON, resettled in Saint John, NB where they actively taught the Faith and became the second Bahá'í group in Canada in the "teens". [BFA2p157]
    • See OBCC110-119 for information on the development of the Saint John community between 1910 and 1928.
    • See as well Origins of the Saint John Bahá'í Group in Community Histories in SBBR Vol 6 by Dr Will C van den Hoonaard pp218-239.
    Henry Stark Culver; Saint John, NB; Stark Culver, Mrs.
    1970 11 Oct
    197-
    Mr. Olinga attended the Alberta Regional Convention at Red Deer. He spoke of the essential spiritual nature of the Native people and how they will become strong teachers if visited on the reserves regularly to increase their knowledge of the Faith. [CBN244Nov1970p1-2] Conventions, District; Enoch Olinga; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Red Deer, AB
    1970 19 Oct
    197-
    Mr. Olinga departed Whitehorse for Alaska. [CBN244Nov1970p2] - Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga; Whitehorse, YT
    1970 Oct
    197-
    Mr. Olinga visited the Blood Reserve near Cardston, AB. Six persons declared their Faith from the Reserve alone. [CBN244Nov1970p2] - Hands of the Cause; Blood Reserve, AB; Enoch Olinga
    1970 Oct
    197-
    Mr. Olinga visited the Gleichen Reserve and attended a meeting in a private home. - Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga; Gleichen Reserve, AB
    1970 9-10 Oct
    197-
    Mr. Olinga was warmly received by about 200 people, mostly drawn from surrounding Reserves, in Fort Qu'Appelle. The next day he took part in a Feast for the Dead then the passing of the pipe and was presented with a beaded necklace by Dorothy Francis. [CBN244Nov1970p1] - Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga; Fort Qu'Appelle, SK
    1970 18 Oct
    197-
    Mr. Olingo gave an address at the Whitehorse Flats Indian Village and another in the Elk's Hall in the evening. [CBN244Nov1970p2] - Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga; Whitehorse Flats Indian Village, YT
    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] Bulgaria; Sofia, Bulgaria
    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]
  • See CBN No 48 January, 1954 p5 for a letter from Ola describing the conditions on the island.
  • After four years she asked the Guardian's permission to leave and his reply was that she could provided she found a replacement. She went on to spend more than 30 years in Africa. [KoB283]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Miquelon Island; Ola Pawlowska; St. Pierre and Miquelon
    1985 23 Dec
    198-
    Mrs Angela Sidney was awarded the Order of Canada. She was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada on the 9th of April 1986.
      One of the last living speakers of the Tagish language, she has been actively involved in recording oral history and publishing books containing songs, traditional stories and Tagish and Tlingit- language place names of the Southern Yukon. By doing so, this prominent elder in her community has made a major contribution to northern linguistic and ethnographic studies and to the preservation of the Native cultural heritage. [Governor General's website]
  • See Windspeaker.com website for a short biography titled Angela Sidney: Preserving the culture, a personal endeavour. iiiii
  • Angela Sidney; Tagish; Tlingit
    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] Teaching; Wellesca Pollock Allen (Aseyeh Dyar)
    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] Edmonton, AB; Marcia Atwater; Muriel Warnicker; Vancouver, BC
    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]
  • Nan was later joined by Garry Rea-Airth who was employed as a bookkeeper. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p10]
  • She served several years as a pioneer to the native people in Department of Indian Affairs hospitals at Fisher River and Hodgson, Manitoba and at Moose Factory and Ohsweken First Nation, Ontario. Note: At this time there were a great many First Nation and Inuit people in the Hamilton Sanitorium. [MC2p13; CBN No 47 December 1953 p4]
  • See this comment about Nan Brandle in Messages to Canada 1999:

    He was very happy to know that the work in connection with the Indians and the Eskimos is receiving special attention, and he would like your Assembly to please express to Miss Nan Brandle1 his deep appreciation of the unique service she is rendering the Cause, and of the exemplary spirit which is animating her. He hopes other believers will follow in her footsteps, and arise to do work in this very important field of Bahá'í activity. [MC2p13]

  • - Pioneers; Fisher River, MB; Hodgson, MB; Moose Factory, ON; Nan Brandle; Ohsweken, ON; Ottawa, 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; Haifa, Israel; Pilgrimage
    1983 28 Nov
    198-
    National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada presented a brief to The Special Parliamentary Committee on the Participation of the Visible Minorities in Canada.

    They considered "remarkable" the recently enacted of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (also known as the Constitution Act of 1982), and the Multiculturalism Policy of 1971, as well as Canada's contribution to human rights accords on the international level and steps towards the creation of single global society.

    The National Assembly shared the measures taken in its own community for the advancement of the rights of women, for more understanding between the Anglophone and Francophone populations, to assist the settlement of immigrants and measures taken to increase participation of the indigenous friends in society at large by establishing a variety of events. Some of there were "unity gatherings" , "native councils", "summer and winter schools", "Unity feasts", and conferences, all of which have served to bring together in social and administrative activity anglophone, francophone, and native Canadians.

    They included with the brief a copy of A Violence Free Society by Dr Hossain Danesh and several submissions made by the Bahá'í International Community to various United Nation agency on the question of human rights and minorities as well as an article taken from the publication "Refuge" describing the Iranian Bahá'í refugee program.

    In this submission, they emphasized the necessity of educational programs. They asked that careful consideration be given to the idea of holding a national conference on education focussed on this question of minority participation in Canadian society.

    Presentations; Social action
    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
    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] Kate Cowan Ives; Marion Jack; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
    1961 23 Jan
    196-
    Noel Wuttenee visited Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve), AB and is reported to have said:
      First Indian Bahá'í fire side I have been to and I am happy to see the Indians take to the sky once again with the strength and power of eagle wings. How far we will fly with the winds of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings, once again we can cry out with the Eagles voice and be heard and live with a purpose.
    [The Distance Traversed: a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022]
    Indigenous teaching; Noel Wuttunee; Piikani First Nation, AB
    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] Calgary, AB; Gerda Christofferson; Marriage; Noel Wuttunee; 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]

    Bernice Boss; Don Ulery; Helen Blencowe; Midge Ulery; Noland Boss; Ted Blencowe; Yellowknife, NT
    1973
    197-
    Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada: 200

    Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies: 65

    Localities where Bahá'í reside: 950

    Members: 7,500

    [from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada]

    Canada; Statistics
    1930
    193-
    Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada: 2

    Members: 30

    [from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada]

    Canada; Statistics
    1985
    198-
    Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada: 350

    Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies: 159

    Localities where Bahá'í reside: 1,500

    Members: 2,100

    [from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada]

    Canada; Statistics
    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]

    Canada; Statistics
    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; HD249-250]
  • See 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Canada: A compilation from written accounts by Marlene Macke.
  • `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá in Montreal; Montreal, QC
    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
    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. [HD237-240]
  • Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. William Sutherland Maxwell. [PUP308; ABC26-30]
  • `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá in Montreal; May Maxwell; Montreal, QC; William Sutherland Maxwell
    1970 Dec
    197-
    One of the goals of the Canadian Bahá'í Community was to prepare its "daughter" community, Iceland, to achieve National Assembly status by Ridván 1972 with incorporation by 1973. To facilitate these goals the National Spiritual Assembly assigned Douglas and Elizabeth Martin to the project with Elizabeth as the principal executive. The opening phase of proclamation was launched at a Victory Conference which resulted in the enrollment of thirty people in January, 1971 thus doubling the numbers in Iceland.
  • In addition six Icelandic believers, three of them youth, were invited to attend the Canadian National Convention in Halifax at Ridván. They were: Gudmundur Bardarson, Anna Maggy Palsdottir, Baldur B. Bragason, Margret Bardardottir, Svana Einarsdottir, and Janina Njalsdottir. [BN485 6 August, 1971 pg 6]
  • The Icelandic community organized a team to undertake a summer teaching project in the Faroes Islands in cooperation with the UK Bahá'ís. [BW15335-336]
  • Three additional local assemblies were formed in Iceland in August 1971 and they were in Keflavik, Hafnarfjordur and Kopavogur. [HNWE26]
  • - Conferences; Anna Maggy Palsdottir; Baldur B. Bragason; Douglas Martin; Elizabeth Martin; Gudmundur Bardarson; Janina Njalsdottir; Margret Bardardottir; Reykjavik, Iceland; Svana Einarsdottir; Victory Conference
    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
    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; Dawson City, YT; Orcella Rexford; Skagway, AK; Travel teaching; Whitehorse, YT
    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.
  • Hand of the Cause Paul Haney chaired the event and Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins, who was present when the Guardian heard the news of her passing, recalled how he used to say that Marion Jack was a perfect pattern for pioneers. Edna True recounted knowing her as an artist at Green Acre and Horace Holley drew attention to the fact that the Guardian identified her along with Martha Root and other distinguished teachers of the Faith. [CBN No 63 April 1955, Insert p4]
  • - In Memoriam; Horace Holley; Laura Davis; Marion Jack; Memorial services; Millie Collins; Paul Haney; Wilmette, IL
    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.
    - Pioneers; Egedesminde, Greenland; Palle Benemann Bischoff
    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; Auxiliary board members; National Spiritual Assembly, election of
    1981 - 2002
    198-
    Persian-language Bahá'í quarterly journal entitled `Andalíb was published from 1981 to 2012 under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada. From issue no. 69, responsibility for the publication was moved to the Association of Bahá'í Studies in Persian (an agency of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada).
    • Journals from Year 1 (138-9 BE, 1981-2), Issue 1: Winter to Year 23 (162 BE, 2005-6), Issue 90: Spring are available on-line.
    * Publications; Andalib (journal); Association of Bahá'í Studies in Persian; Ottawa, ON; Thornhill, 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
    1985 21 Jul
    198-
    Prior to this time, some national communities elected their delegates to the National Conventions on the basis of areas that had Local Spiritual Assemblies, while in other larger national communities, delegates were elected on the basis of electoral units in which all adult believers had the vote. From this time forward, all were to use the Electoral Unit system. There would be no change in the number of delegates elected to attend the National Convention.

    Given the wide variety of geography in the Bahá'í world, each National Spiritual Assembly was directed to establish the most effective means for the election of the delegates to its National Convention and for providing for an opportunity for consultation among the electors. [Message 21 July 1985]

    In its letter of 2 January 1986, the Universal House of Justice referred to ''a new stage in the unfoldment of the Administrative Order," a stage characterized by a "new development in the maturation of Bahá'í institutions" which marks "the inception of the fourth epoch" of the Formative Age of the Faith.

    - Bahá'í World Centre; Elections; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of
    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] London, ON; Niagara Falls, ON; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; St. Catharines, ON
    1951 21 Jul - 3 Aug
    195-
    Reginald King and Lowell Johnson were speakers at the Laurentian Summer School. [CBN No19 April 1951 p13] Lowell Johnson; Rex King (Reginald King); Summer schools
    1965 Early Sep
    196-
    Ron and Edna Nablo and family opened the locality of Lucerne, QC. This area was later known as Aylmer and still later became Gatineau. The city of Gatineau was formed in 2002 following the amalgamation of the municipalities of Aylmer, Buckingham, Gatineau, Hull and Masson-Angers. [CBN Issue 189 October 1965 p2]

    Don and Diana Dainty moved to Lucerne in June of 1967 [email from Catherine Carry dated 28 May 2020]

    Diana Dainty; Don Dainty; Edna Halsted Nablo; Gatineau, QC; Lucerne, QC; Outaouais Cluster; Ron Nablo
    1961 (Spring)
    196-
    Ron Parsons became a Bahá'í some time before July in 1961. [CBN No 138 July 1961 p3]
  • At the time he was a United Church minister in Strathmore, AB. He had first heard of the Faith while serving in Red Lake, ON in 1960. A parishioner had directed him to speak with Carol and David Bowie while he was doing visitation in Ear Falls where the Bowie family lived. Following his visit the Bowies sent him a copy of Christ and Bahá'u'lláh and on the next visit he left with the Kitáb-i-Íqán and subsequently was loaned The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. Shortly after was transferred to Claresholm, AB and David put him in touch with Arthur and Lily-Ann Irwin who nurtured him into full acceptance of, and membership in, the Faith. [CBN No 127 August 1960 p4] [from and email correspondence with David Bowie 4 January 2020] iiiii
  • Arthur Irwin; Carol Bowie; Conversion; David Bowie; Ear Falls, ON; Lily Ann Irwin; Red Lake, ON; Ron Parsons; Strathmore, AB
    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]
  • See Rosemary's letter CBN No59 Dec 1954 p1.
  • - Pioneers; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; St. Lambert, QC
    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] Emeric Sala; National Spiritual Assemblies; Rosemary Sala; St. Lambert, QC
    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
    1952 26 Dec - 1 Jan
    195-
    Rosemary Sala spoke about her recent pilgrimage at the Beaulac Winter Session. [CBN No 36 December, 1952 p8] Beaulac, QC; Rosemary Sala; Winter schools
    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:
    1. Man's Relationship to God.
    2. Man's Relationship to Society.
    3. Society and Administration. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p6]
    Beaulac, QC; Summer schools
    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; Shirley Nichelson; St. Boniface, MB; Ted Whitely; Winnipeg, MB; Yvonne Terrill Estall
    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; Montreal, QC; Regina, SK; St. Lambert, QC; Toronto, ON; Vancouver, BC; West Vancouver, BC
    1955 23 Feb - 21 Oct
    195-
    Roy and Jean Ziegler of Vancouver pioneered to the Yukon. [CBN No 117 October 1957 p1] Joan Ziegler; Pioneering, Yukon; Roy Ziegler; Yukon, Canada
    1953 21 May
    195-
    Ruhíyyih Khánum gave the Maxwell home at 1548 Pine Avenue West in Montreal, to the Canadian Bahá'í Community. [UC41] Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Montreal, QC; Montreal Shrine
    1978 Ridván
    197-
    See [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    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 Bahá'í Picnic; Newfane, NY
    1983 May 
    198-
    Seyed Mahmoud arrived in Lethbridge, Alberta — his original assigned city – and where he has resided every since. (Alberta Baha'i Council 2015 "Mohsen and Donna Seyed Mahmoud biography"). Donna Seyed Mahmoud; Lethbridge, AB; Mohsen Seyed Mahmoud
    1952 26 Mar`
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi appointed Ruhíyyih Khánum Hand of the Cause of God to replace her father. [UC34] - Hands of the Cause; Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Haifa, Israel
    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]
  • Shoghi Effendi described their two-fold function: propagation of the Faith and preservation of its unity. [BW12:376; MBW21]
  • - Hands of the Cause; Haifa, Israel; Montreal, QC; Siegfried Schopflocher
    1951 24 Dec
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi appointed Sutherland Maxwell among the first contingent of Hands. [MoCxxiii] - Hands of the Cause; Haifa, Israel; William Sutherland Maxwell
    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
    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 (1953-1963)
    1937 25 Mar
    193-
    Shoghi Effendi married Mary Maxwell, Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum. [PP151; UD115]
    • For a description of the simple wedding see GBF68–9 and PP151–2.
    • Shoghi Effendi stressed that the marriage drew the Occident and the Orient closer together. [GBF69–70; PP153]
    • The American Bahá'í community sent $19 from each of its 71 Assemblies as a wedding gift. [GBF70; PP153]
    • An extension was built onto Shoghi Effendi's apartment on the roof of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's house in Haifa to accommodate the couple. [BBD107; DH152]
    • See also MA89.
    Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Haifa, Israel; Marriage; Mary Maxwell
    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]
    • From this time forward the term "Assembly" meant a duly-elected local spiritual assembly and not a group. [BA20]
    Local Spiritual Assemblies
    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:
      "The development of the local and national Funds must be continuously maintained as a prelude to the establishment of local and national endowments and the ultimate erection of a House of Worship that will incarnate the soul of a flourishing nation-wide community." [MtC114]
    - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres)
    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]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the second contingent on the 29th of February, 1952. [MoCxxiii]
  • See TG32, 228 and LoF384-390 for short biographies.
  • See Schopflocher, Siegfried by Will C. van den Hoonaard.
  • For his obituary see BW12:664–6.
  • He was known as the "Chief Temple Builder" because of his great contributions to the completion of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the West. [BW12:664-666]
  • He made significant contributions to Green Acre both financially and administratively.
  • During the period 1924 to 1947 he was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada fifteen times. He served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada from its formation until his passing.
  • He was instrumental in the purchase of the first property for the Haziratu'l Quds.
  • For a brief biography see Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • Find a grave.
  • His funeral was held on the 31st of July presided by the chair of the National Spiritual Assembly John Robarts. The eulogy was delivered by the vice-chair, Rowland Estall. [CBN No 46 November, 1953 p7-10]
  • On August 23, the Montreal Assembly arranged a memorial service in the Maxwell Home which was attended by members of the National Assembly and friends, mainly from the Montreal area. This service in Fred's home community was intimate and personal. Many people recalled with loving gratitude personal associations with Fred, kindly and helpful things he had done in his unobtrusive way, gifts of hospitality or consideration that they had treasured sometimes for many years. [CBN No 46 November 1953 Insert]
  • The Shrines Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly was charged with the erection of the gravestone. A memorial fund set up to permit believers to contribute to it. [CBN #69 October 1955 p4, 8]
  • The National Spiritual Assembly inaugurated the Committee for the Estate of S. Schopflocher and appointed Mr. Bert. Rakovsky, 471-A Strathcona Ave., W estmount, Que. Functions : The interest of the National Spiritual Assembly in the affairs of the S. Schopflocher Estate are turned over to this committee for representation in dealing with the lawyers and the beneficiaries and the committee is to do all in its power to expedite the handling of these affairs. [CBN #56 September 1954 p8]
  • A memorial service was held in the Temple in Wilmette on the 28th of August. [CBN No 46 November, 1953 p3]
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Albert Rakovsky; Hands of the Cause, Second Contingent; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Memorial services; Montreal, QC; Siegfried Schopflocher
    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
    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] Belleville, ON; Etobicoke, ON; Kingston, ON; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; London, ON; New Westminster, BC; Oshawa, ON; Pickering, ON; Saskatoon, SK; St. Catharines, ON; Verdun, QC; Westmount, QC
    1991
    199-
    Statistics Canada reported 14,730 Bahá'ís from 1991 census data. [Bahaipedia] Canada; Statistics
    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] Dawson City, YT; Susan Rice; Teaching; Whitehorse, YT
    1909 (In the year)
    190-
    Sutherland Maxwell, Hand of the Cause of God, became a Bahá'í after meeting ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. [BFA2:156]

    MM!p231 gives the date as 1904.

    - Hands of the Cause; Montreal, QC; William Sutherland Maxwell
    1952 25 Mar
    195-
    Sutherland Maxwell, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Montreal. (b.14 November, 1874) [DH143; MBW132; PP246]
  • For his obituary see BW12:657–62.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For his relationship with Shoghi Effendi and work on the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb see PP236–43.
  • Shoghi Effendi named the southern door of the Báb's tomb after him in memory of his services.
  • On June 16th, 1956, friends of the Montreal area gathered at the grave to place, under the headstone, an alabaster box that had been sent by the Guardian. The box contained a piece of plaster taken from the walls of the prison in Máh-Kú where the Báb had been incarcerated in 1847. 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. The superstructure of the Shrine had been designed by Sutherland Maxwell. [TG55; CBN No 80 September 1956 p2]
  • Find a grave.
  • For a brief biography see LoF276-286.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • The Canadian Bahá'í News published a special Memorial issue.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Fortress of Mah-Ku, Iran; Montreal, QC; Relics; William Sutherland Maxwell
    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
    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] Beaulac, QC; Douglas Martin; Roger White; Winter schools
    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]
  • The Andersons established an organization called the Indian Advancement Association for Indigenous people, which later was changed to the Native Brotherhood and Yukon Association of Non-status Indians. Many of the early Bahá'ís in the Yukon were Indigenous elders. In addition to contributing to the growth and development of the Bahá'í community in the Yukon, these Bahá'ís also significantly contributed to the revitalization of the Indigenous cultures and language of the Yukon. [NSA website]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Emogene Hoagg; Joan Anderson; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Marion Jack; Orcella Rexford; Susan Rice; Ted Anderson; Whitehorse, YT
    1954 Jun
    195-
    Ted and Joanie Anderson wrote the Guardian and asked him who they should teach. They received this reply:
      The Guardian...urges you to concentrate on the native populations it is for that reason that we have opened new countries to the Faith. After all, Europeans, Americans, etc., can become Bahá'ís in their homeland. We have entered new fields all over the world to bring the light of divine guidance to the native population, who have thus far been deprived of the spiritual teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. May you be confirmed with this teaching effort among the natives. The great foal would be an assembly in Whitehorse, made up of native Bahá's or at least the majority natives.
    [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]

    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]

    Joan Anderson; Teaching, Native; Ted Anderson; Whitehorse, YT
    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 Bahá'í Picnic; Queenston Heights, 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]
  • For the Message from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land see [CBN No 125 June 1960 p10].
  • For the message from the Hands of the Faith in the Western Hemisphere to the Annual Convention see [CBN No 125 June 1960 p7].
  • For a photo see Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • Audrey Westheuser; Douglas Martin; Fred Graham; Harold Moscrop; Hartwell Bowsfield; Lloyd Gardner; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Toronto, ON; Winnifred Harvey
    1978 Ridván
    197-
    The 50 minute film Retrospective was made in tribute to Hand of the Cause John Robarts and the occasion of his fortieth anniversary as a member of the Bahá'í community. It was commissioned by the National Spiritual Assembly and made by CINÉ BAHÁ'Í. [CBN No 313 Mar/Apr 1978 p3] - Film; John Robarts; Retrospective; Toronto, ON
    1981 29 - 31 May
    198-
    The 6th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá'í Studies was held in Ottawa and was attended by some 350 Bahá'ís.

    This year, with the approval of the Universal House of Justice, the name of the Association was changed from the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith to the Association for Bahá'í Studies in recognition of its increasingly international character. Also, the Association recently purchased a modest house on the campus of the University of Ottawa to serve as a Center for Bahá'í Studies and as an administrative headquarters for the organization.

    The presentations included: "The Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Personal Growth," by Hossain Danesh, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada who is a practicing psychiatrist; a discussion of the use of computers in indexing the Bahá'í Writings, presented by Edward Fox, a doctoral candidate in computer science at Cornell University; "John the Baptist—The Forgotten Manifestation," by Jack McLean, a doctoral candidate in religious studies at the University of Ottawa; and a presentation on the life and works of Mishkín-Qalam, the famous Bahá'í calligrapher, by Gol Aidun of Brandon, Manitoba.

    Also included in the conference was the second annual Ḥasan Balyúzi Lectureship—given this year by Douglas Martin, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, who spoke on the persecutions of the Bahá'ís in Iran under the Pahlavi regime, and by Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, who discussed the reaction of people in the West to the current wave of persecutions in Iran.

    The last presentation of the conference was that of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum who had recently arrived in North America after several months in Central America. Although not entirely recovered from an illness acquired during her travels, she spoke vigorously—although, uncharacteristically, while seated. Her principal theme was the corrosive effects of the prejudice of the educated toward the illiterate, though she stressed the importance of the contribution of the educated in the Faith and in society.

    She also urged the Bahá'ís to redouble their efforts, citing a passage pointed out to her by the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in which Bahá'u'lláh, while still in Baghdád, had said that if the Bahá'ís had busied themselves with what He had commanded them to do, "now the entire world would be clothed in faith." [BN Issue 607 October 1981 p7; BCVol 3 No 5 July/August 1981 p5]

    Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Association for Bahá'í Studies (North America); Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Douglas Martin; Edward Fox; Glenford Mitchell; Gol Aidun; Hossain Danesh; Jack McLean; Ottawa, ON
    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.
    • It was announced that Canada's National Endowment had been secured, a beautiful piece of property on the Niagara River in the shadow of Queenston Heights. It had been donated by one of the friends.
    • The Public Congress was held in the Royal Ontario Museum Theatre on the evening of Saturday the 28th of April. Over 300 attended. [CBN No 77 June 1956 p2]
    • It was learned that Canada's National Endowment had been secured, a beautiful piece of property on the Niagara River in the shadow of Queenston Heights, which had been donated by one of the friends. [CBN No 77 June 1956 p2]
    Allan Raynor; Angus Cowan; Audrey Westheuser; Donald MacLaren; Hart Bowsfield; Lloyd Gardner; NSA; National Convention; National Endowment; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Toronto, ON; Winnifred Harvey
    1960 12 Jul
    196-
    The passing of the Hand of the Cause Horace Holley in Haifa.
  • In 1948, as the secretary of the National Assembly of the United States and Canada he assisted with the formation of the independent National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada. [UC110]
  • A tribute to him was included as in insert to the January 1961 issue of the Canadian Bahá'í News.
  • - In Memoriam; Haifa, Israel; Horace Holley
    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.

    • The pdf for the Act can be found here.
    • The National Spiritual Assembly members at that time were John Aldham Robarts, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, manager; Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Dame Laura Romney Davis, wife of Victor Davis of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; Siegfried Schopflocher, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Rowland Ardouin Estall, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, insurance broker; Ross Greig Woodman, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, lecturer; Lloyd George Gardner, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, wholesaler; and Dame Doris Cecilia Richardson, wife of J. P. Richardson, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; and Dame Rosemarv Scott Sala, wife of the said Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province Corporate of Quebec.
    • See Shoghi Effendi's letter of 19 June, 1949 for his comments.
        "an event twice hailed by Shoghi Effendi in the documents published here as "a magnificent victory unique in the annals of East and West". [MtCpvii]
    National Spiritual Assembly, election of; National Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Ottawa, ON; Recognition (legal)
    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] Edmonton, AB; Hamilton, ON; Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Montreal, QC; North York, ON; Ottawa, ON; Scarborough, ON; Toronto, ON; Vancouver, BC; Vernon, BC; Winnipeg, MB
    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; Vernon, BC; Winnipeg, MB
    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.
  • The Jubilee Program included the National Convention of the the Bahá'ís of the United States, a series of public meetings, the dedication of the House of Worship on the 2nd of may and an International Conference. The whole program ran from the 29th of April until the 6th of May. [CBN No 35 November 1952 p2]
  • Chicago, IL; Conferences, Teaching; Wilmette, IL
    1949 May
    194-
    The annual budget for 106B.E. was set at $15,000. [CBN 14 July 1950 p2] Annual budget
    1950 May
    195-
    The annual budget for 107B.E. was set at $19,000. [CBN 14 July 1950 p2] Annual budget
    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.
  • The principal speaker for the occasion was Dr. Stanwood Cobb of Washington, D.C., well-known lecturer and author of many books on the spiritual aspect of the Faith. The subject of his series of lectures was "Deepening the Spiritual Life".
  • A course on "The Art of Consultation" was conducted by Violet Wuerfel, of Detroit.
  • Margery McCormick, of Chicago, brought the warmth of her loving personality to the conference and was instrumental in conducting daily classes for inquirers drawn from the staff and other guests of the camp.
  • Gisela Commanda, of the nearby Rama Indian Reservation, (Rama First Nation) gave interesting and informative talks on the life of the Indian and had several displays on hand. Several Baha'is visited the Reservation and made valuable contacts.
  • Gisela Commanda; Lake Couchiching, ON; Margery McCormick; Ontario Summer Conference; Stanwood Cobb; Violet Wuerfel
    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
    1967 24 - 26 Mar
    196-
    The Arctic Policy Conference was held in Toronto. Present were 16 attendees, Hand of the Cause John Robarts, representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Auxiliary Board, the National Pioneer Committee and individuals involved in the teaching work in the Arctic. It was decided to establish Bahá'í houses in Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit) in the District of Franklin, Baker Lake in the District of Keewatin and Yellowknife in the District of Mackenzie. [SDSC278]
  • Photo of Bahá'í House in Baker Lake.
  • Bahá'í House; Baker Lake, NU; Conferences, Teaching; Frobisher Bay, NU; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Iqaluit, NU; John Robarts; Toronto, ON; Yellowknife, NT
    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. [SoW 20Aug1920, OBCC193] Brockville, ON; Gagetown, Prince Edward Island; Marion Jack; Martha Root; Mirza Ahmad Sohrab; Mírzá Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; Montreal, QC; Saint John, NB; Toronto, ON; Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Woodstock, NB
    1956
    195-
    The Bahá'í Faith was put on the curriculum in a course on comparative Religions at McMaster University. [UC61] Hamilton, ON; McMaster University
    1988 30 Jun - 3 Jul
    198-
    The Bahá'í Arts Council, Canada, held the first arts festival, 'Invitation 88: A Festival of the Human Spirit' at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. [BINS179:2] Bahá'í Arts Council, Canada; London, ON
    1967 11 Dec
    196-
    The Bahá'í Campus Club was inaugurated at the University of New Brunswick. Bahá'í associations; Moncton, NB; Universities
    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. Edmonton, AB; Teaching
    1963 11 - 18 Aug
    196-
    The Banff Summer School was held at the Banff School of Fine Arts. The theme was "The Advent of Divine Justice". [CBN No163 Aug 1963 p4] Banff, AB; Summer schools
    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
    1940 (In the year)
    194-
    The Canadian Department of National Defence exempted Bahá'ís from combatant military duty. Exemption; Military; Recognition (legal)
    1935 3 Dec
    193-
    The Canadian federal government issued to the Bahá'í Community a letter of patents for the word "Bahá'í". [OBCC259] Copyright and trademarks; Patents
    1992 19 - 22 Jun
    199-
    The ceremonies were held for the thirty-eight members of the first graduating class of the Maxwell International Bahá'í School. More than seven hundred participated in the ceremonies. ["Maxwell Eagle" Sep/Oct 1992 Vol IV no. 1 page 1] - Bahá'í inspired schools; Maxwell International School, Canada; Shawnigan Lake, BC
    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]
  • Thirty local Spiritual assemblies were formed in Canada. [CBN No 76 May 1956 p6]
  • Second Seven Year Plan; Statistics
    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 Mar
    195-
    The course "The Covenant and the Institutions" was conducted in BC in March, 1956 and subsequently in every other province.
  • The National Spiritual Assembly, in a directive published in Canadian Bahá'í News in June of 1957 said, "concerning the minimum teachings that should be covered before a new member is accepted into the Faith" should include a knowledge of Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, The Tablet of the Branch, The Book of the Covenant and the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. Specifically, Tablet of the Branch BWFp204, Kitab-i-Ahd, BWFp207 and pages 134-135 of Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh They also urged the study of Covenant and the Administration [CBN No 89 June, 1957 p1].
  • 1967 19 Nov
    196-
    The dedication of the Bahá'í Institute at Ft. Qu'Appelle by Hand of the Cause Tarazu'llah Samandari during a four-day visit to Saskatchewan by him and his son. In honour of the event hand-lettered scroll was made by Barb Wild with the signature of Tarazu'llah Samandari and Mr Samandari penned a rendition of the Greatest Name.
  • The facility was two years in the making and was the only Institue of its kind in North America at the time. Its purpose was to become the focus for the teaching of First Nations people. The chalet-type building could accommodate 20 overnight guests on two stories. It had a large assembly hall, a library, a fully-equipped kitchen. [CBN No218 April 1968 p1]
  • The dedication was also attended by the Mozart Group. [Facebook posting]
  • Fort Qu'Appelle, SK; Institutes; Mozart Group; Ṭaráẓu’lláh Samandarí
    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]

    • The Haziratu'lQuds was to serve as the administrative headquarters of the National Spiritual Assembly, its secretariat, for Assembly meetings, the preservation of its records, for public meetings , a Bahá'í library, an Archives, for committee meetings and Bahá'í Conferences. Its influence would enhance the prestige and consolidate the authority of the National Assembly in the Bahá'í community, confer dignity and prestige upon the Faith in the eyes of the public and be the seat of one of the electoral bodies that would elect the Universal House of Justice. [CBN No 82 November, 1956 p 3]
    Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON
    1984 9 Jul
    198-
    The dedication of the Yukon Bahá'í Institute.

    Close to 500 people gathered at the Yukon Bahá'í Institute at Lake Laberge near Whitehorse. It wa s one year to the day since the sod-turning ceremony launched the construction. Again Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts and Counsellor Loretta King were in attendance. Other distinguished guests attending the dedication ceremonies were Hand of the Cause Dr. Varqa , Counsellor Angus Cowan. Canadian National Assembly members Dr. Jane Faily, Ed Muttart and Husayn Banani, Alaskan National Assembly Member and native elder Eugene King and Auxiliary Board Member Peggy Ross. The dedication was well attended by native elders and distinguished native Bahá'ís-Melba Loft, Johnny Johns, Charlotte Sydney, Pete Sydney, Paul George and Doris Wedge, to name a few. Attendance from the Bahá'ís of Alaska was high with six National Assembly members. four members of the National Teaching committee and representatives from 26 local Spiritual Assemblies and others making a total of at least 100 Alaskan Bahá'ís participating. [BC Vol6 no 2 June-September 1984 p37

    Bahá'í Institutes; Lake Labarge, YT; Yukon Bahá'í Institute
    1981 (In the year)
    198-
    The Department of Immigration signed an agreement with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada permitting that body to sponsor the immigration of several hundred Iranian Bahá'ís. Iranian Bahá'ís were also named specifically by the Minister in his December 1982 submission to the House of Commons on the 1983 quota for Government sponsored refugees. Some 2,300 Iranian Bahá'í refugees arrived in Canada and settled in all of the provinces and territories. [The Future of Canada: A Bahá'í Perspective; A Symposium on the Iranian Bahá'í Refugee Movement to Canada, 1981-1989]

    This cooperative partnership between the Bahá'í Community and the Department of Immigration became a model for some 25 other countries.

      Note: This brief was presented to The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects of Canada by the Canadian Bahá'í Community through its National Spiritual Assembly in Saskatoon November 21-22, 1983.
    Presentations; Saskatoon, SK
    1950 's (Early)
    195-
    The editor of the Canadian Bahá'í News was Miss Vicki Bond of Montreal. [CBN No 13 May 1950] Canadian Bahá'í News; Montreal, QC; Vicki Bond
    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] * Interfaith dialogue; Edmonton, AB; Race unity
    1953 23 May
    195-
    The Edmonton community reported that they were fortunate to have Dr. Furutan and Mr. Anvar (his interpreter) as guests at the Feast of Grandeur. Two meetings were held during their stay in Edmonton, one for Bahá'ís when the community had an opportunity to ask questions, and a public fireside attended by 22 persons, including several Moslems, a Grecian lady and a young German. During thejr visit they made an unofficial tour of the University of Alberta. The sincerity and humility of the Persian friends impressed the Edmonton community and inspired them to greater personal consecration. This opportunity to meet Bahá'ís .from other lands gives the international unity of our Faith more reality and significance. [from a report in CBN #41 June 1953 p3; CBN #42 July 1953 p2] `Alí-Akbar Furútan; Edmonton, AB; Mehran Anvari
    1983 4 - 7 Nov
    198-
    The eight annual conference for the Association for Bahá'í Studies was held in Palmer House in Chicago. The Executive Committee for the ABS was Bill Hatcher; Jane Goldstone; Christine Zerbinis; Douglas Martin; Peter Morgan; Glen Eyford; Nasser Sabet; Richard Gagnon; Hossain Danesh with Firuz Kazemzadeh and Dorothy Nelson as United States representatives. The 8th annual conference of the Association for Baha' Studies was held in Chicago with over 500 participants came from all parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean Islands, Australia, India and several African countries. Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Khadem attended as well as a number of representatives of the Institution of the Continental Board of Counsellors, members of many National Spiritual Assemblies, and a host of internationally reknowned scholars. A unique event at the conference was a special session held at the House of Worship, focussing on the situation of the Bahá'ís of Iran.

    The first plenary session of the conference focussed on the theme "New Dimensions in Development", and comprised of three presentations: Dr. Glen Eyford, Professor of International Development, spoke on "Strategies-for Social Change", Dr. Joanna Macy, "A Spiritual Approach to Social Change" and Gustavo Correa's presentation was "FUNDAEC: Case Study of an Alternative for Rural Development".

    The second session: "Integrating Personal and Social Change —The Baha'i Paradigm" hosted the following speakers: Dr. Ervin Laszlo, "The Coming Transformation of Global Society and Today's Action Imperative", Shelia Banani, "Unity: The Ultimate Paradigm Shift" and Dr. Hossain Danesh, "Integrating Personal and Social Change".

    Hand of the Cause of God, Mr. Khadem, presented the awards to the winners of the best papers: John and Helen Danesh, High School Category; Shirin Sabri, General Category; Susan Stiles, University Category.

    The theme for the third session was: "Elimination of Violence as a Prerequisite for World Peace". Dr. Udo Schaefer, spoke on "Justitia Fundamentum Regnorum: On the Future of Penal Law", followed by Mr. Brad Pokorny who spoke on "Disarmament and the Baha'i Faith".

    The advances made by the Association during the year were highlighted; the establishment of branches of the Association for Bahá'í Studies in India, Colombia, Ireland, Austria and Switzerland and the finalization of plans for opening chapters of the Association at universities to take the place gradually of the existing Bahá'í Clubs. A proposed draft of the constitution for the campus charters has been prepared and is now under review by the World Centre. [CBN Vol 5 No 6 November/December 1983 p14]

    Brad Pokorny; Chicago, IL; Christine Zerbinis; Dorothy Nelson; Douglas Martin; Ervin László; Ervin László; Firuz Kazemzadeh; Glen Eyford; Gustavo Correa; Helen Danesh; Hossain Danesh; Jane Goldstone; Joanna Macy; John Danesh; Nasser Sabet; Peter Paul Morgan; Richard Gagnon; Sheila Banani; Shirin Sabri; Susan Maneck; Udo Schaefer; William Hatcher; Zikrullah Khadem
    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]

    Members of the first Spiritual Assembly of Ottawa were: Charles Murray, Marion TreDennick, Kenneth McLaren, Edna Hughes, Francoise Rouleau, Gladys Young (Harvey), Winnifred Harvey, Lucile Giscome and Helen Bidden

    Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Ottawa, ON; Scarborough, ON; Victoria, BC; West Vancouver, BC
    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]

    John Robarts; Statistics; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963)
    1978 14 Jan
    197-
    The establishment of the first local spiritual assembly in Fort McMurray, AB. The members were: Jim McHugh, Ray Baxter, Don Kirby, Farhad Naderi, Lois Naderi, Ann Baxter, Beth Kirby, Vicki Pruden, and Laurie Wright. CBN No 313 Mar/Apr 1978 p5] Ann Baxter; Beth Kirby; Don Kirby; Farhad Naderi; Fort McMurray, AB; Jim McHugh; Laurie Wright; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Lois Naderi; Ray Baxter; Vicki Pruden
    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 greater 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] Edmonton, AB; Friends of the Indians Society
    1980 13 Jul
    198-
    The execution by firing squad of Dr. Faramarz Samandari as well as another Bahá'í by the name of Yadollah Astani, a reputable Tabriz merchant. Dr Samandari had been arrested on April 22nd along with a number of other Bahá'ís in Tabriz who had gathered to discuss what could be done about the Bahá'ís who had been expelled from government employment.

    Raised in Babol he had studied medicine in Tehran, completed his military service then left for England to study English and then Canada. After completing his studies in which he trained as an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), he returned to Iran. His Canadian fiancee, Anita, followed and they were married in 1971. She and their three children, all under the age of seven, left Iran after the Revolution on the advice of the Canadian Embassy.

    He was 48 years old at the time of his execution and was considered one of the top microscopic ear surgeons in the world. He was an innovator who devised a new method of ear surgery for the treatment of deafness. The method, now used in a modernized form around the world, allows a surgeon to implant a small hearing aid behind the ear of a hearing impaired person in a way that cannot been seen. [Iran Wire]

    * Persecution, Iran; Babul (Barfurush), Iran; Faramarz Samandari; Iran; Tabríz, Iran; Yadollah Astani
    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] Moncton, NB; National Convention
    1987 (In the year)
    198-
    The film Heart of the Lotus, made by Elizabeth Martin, documented the dedication of the House of Worship in New Delhi. [HNWE45] - Bahá'í World Centre; - Documentaries; - Film; Elizabeth Martin; Haifa, Israel; India; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, New Delhi (Lotus Temple); New Delhi, India
    1983 (In the year)
    198-
    The film Heritage of the Martyrs, made by Elizabeth Martin, documented the fate of the Bahá'ís in Iran. [HNWE45] - Film; Elizabeth Martin; Elizabeth Martin; Heritage of the Martyrs (film); Toronto, ON
    1980 (In the year)
    198-
    The film Jubilee, commissioned by the Universal House of Justice and made by Elizabeth Martin, documented the dedication of the cornerstone for the House of Worship in Samoa.
  • She also made a second version was made of this film entitled Blessed Is the Spot which focused more directly on the dedication ceremonies.
  • The film The Bahá'ís was an introductory film on the development activities of the Bahá'í communities around the world was edited by Elizabeth Martin. [HNWE45]
  • - Film; Blessed is the Spot (film); Elizabeth Martin; Jubilee (film); The Bahá'ís (film); Toronto, ON
    1992 23 - 26 Nov
    199-
    The film 'Abdu'l-Bahá: Mission to America, made by Elizabeth Martin, was prepared for the World Congress program and also used in the Theme Pavilion. [HNWE45] - Film; `Abdu'l-Bahá: Mission to America (film); Elizabeth Martin; New York City, NY
    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
    1982 Ridván
    198-
    The first closed National Convention was held. In addition to the delegates, those who attended included Hands of the Cause William Sears and John Robarts, Counsellor Lloyd Gardner, and some Auxiliary Board Members.

    In addition to the open style of the agenda and the Thursday supper, another new feature of the Convention was Friday's lunch at which everyone had a chance to discuss particular issues at differently designated tables. The closed nature of the Convention permitted the delegates, along with the Hands of the Cause, Counsellor, Board Members, and National Assembly members to get together for talks and discussions over meals and at breaks without getting caught up in the always festive, often overwhelming atmosphere of recent National Conventions which have seen upwards of one thousand participants.

    Elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were; Glen Eyford, Douglas Martin, Elizabeth Rochester, Michael Rochester, Edmund Muttart, Husayn Banani, Ruth Eyford, Jane Faily, and Hossain Danesh. [CBN Vol14 No 3 July/Aug 1982 p22]

    Douglas Martin; Edmund Muttart; Elizabeth Rochester; Glen Eyford; Hossain Danesh; Husayn Banani; Jane Faily; Michael Rochester; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Ruth Eyford
    1965 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Iceland was formed in Reykjavik. Its members were Asgeir Einarsson, Kirsten Bonnevie, Florence Grindlay, Jessie Echevarria, Carl John Spencer, Charles Grindlay, Liesel Becker, Barbel Thinat and Nicholas Echevarria. [Bahá'í News No 417 10 December 1965 p10]
  • See Bahá'í Historical Facts for a photo.
  • 1947; Charles Grindlay; Florence Grindlay; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Reykjavik, Iceland
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly was formed in Haines Junction, YT. [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] Haines Junction, YT; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    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] Anne McGee; Edmonton, AB; Roland McGee
    1937 May
    193-
    The First Seven Year Plan was launched in North America. [BBD180; BBRSM158; BW7:17–18; MA9]
    • For the role of individuals, local spiritual assemblies and the National Spiritual Assembly see MA11–12.
    • The Plan called for:
      • the completion of the exterior of the Wilmette Temple. BW7:17–18; PP385]
      • the establishment of a local spiritual assembly in each state and province of the United States and Canada. [PP385]
      • the establishment of a centre in each of the republics of Latin America. [PP385]
    • At this time there were 2 local spiritual assemblies and eighteen localities. [OBCC307]
    First Seven Year Plan
    1960 Ridván
    196-
    The first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Saltfleet was formed. [UC111] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Saltfleet, ON
    1958 Oct
    195-
    The first Spiritual Assembly was formed in Dundas, Ontario. [UC83] Dundas, ON; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    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] Douglas Martin; Elfriede Emde; Elizabeth Martin; Elizabeth Rochester; George Marjanovich; Ida Borst; Kitchener, ON; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Michael Rochester; Murat Sokolovie; Walter Borst
    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]
    • Lillian Tomlinson (later Prosser) had been the first Winnipeg resident to become a Bahá'í. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p10]
  • For a phono see Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • Elizabeth Brooks; Ernest Court; Ernest Marsh; Helen Poissant; Lillian Tomlinson; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rowland Estall; Sigrun Lindal; Stella Pollexfen; Sylvia King; Winnipeg, MB
    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] Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Toronto; Purchases and exchanges; Toronto, ON
    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] Jackson Lake, YT; Summer schools
    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] Adline Lohse; Albert Rakovsky; Amine De Mille; Arthur Irwin; Eddie Elliot; Gwen Inwood; Local Spiritual Assembly, election; Milli Tina Gordon; Montreal, QC; René Roy; Siegfried Schopflocher
    1992 (In the year)
    199-
    The formation of The Bahá'í Medical Association of Canada (BMAC). [Canadian Bahá'í News Service 23NOV2007] Bahá'í Medical Association of Canada
    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
    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
    1978 Ridván
    197-
    The formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of Merrickville, ON. The founding members were: Linda Smith, Anne Shuster, Barbara Mayo, Sam Morgulis, Michel Seguin, Mary Cooper, Karen Dingwell, Zilda Milne, and James Milne. Anne Shuster; Barbara Mayo; James Milne; Karen Dingwell; Linda Smith; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Mary Cooper; Merrickville, ON; Michel Seguin; Sam Morgulis; Zilda Milne
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Comox: The members were: Ed Crainey, Eric Hyde, Joan Stroub, Cliff Gardner, Rosemary Versteegh, Frank Versteegh (chairman) Olive Yorke, Maisie Hyde, and Novella Hyde. [CBN No 214 November 1967 p11] Comox, BC; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1992 Dec
    199-
    The formation of the Ottawa Regional Baha'í Choir. It traces its roots to the mass choir that was created to perform at the Bahá'í World Congress in New York City in November of 1992. Three Ottawa Baha'is were in that choir, and they brought back with them a body of specially commissioned choral arrangements for Baha'i sacred music. They were joined by several others, eager to sing this "new music" that they had seen performed at the Congress. Over the next few years, other choir members attended choral workshops in Green Acre Baha'i School and elsewhere, further expanding the Ottawa choir's repertoire.

    Members of the Ottawa Regional Bahá'í Choir have always come from both sides of the Ottawa river, from Gatineau, QC. They have been Bahá'ís and their friends, with different levels of singing experience. There are no auditions for the choir and those new to singing are encouraged to learn as they go. The membership generally has fluctuated between 10 and 16, but has been as large as 24 and is currently 20 members strong. Over the lifetime of the choir, as about 200 members have participated, choir direction has changed hands, often rotating between members. [Ottawa Community News 28 September 2017]

    Gatineau, QC; Ottawa, ON; Ottawa Regional Bahá'í Choir
    1978 Ridván
    197-
    The formation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Summerside, PE. The members were: Lana Quinn, Brian Quinn, Vivian O'Neill, Pat O'Neill, Louise Polland, Paul Vreeland, Jane Anthony, Sharon Dyas, Nora Holland. [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5] Brian Quinn; Jane Anthony; Lana Quinn; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Louise Polland; Nora Holland; Pat O'Neill; Paul Vreeland; Sharon Dyas; Summerside, Prince Edward Island; Vivian Main
    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
    1981 (In the year)
    198-
    The founding of the Canadian Bahá'í International Development Agency (CBIDA). It takes on projects in areas like education, sustainable development through agriculture, and community development that aim to enrich the social and spiritual life of the community. The CBIDA supports its partners usually by means of providing access to funding, often in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency, as well as assisting with project design and monitoring and helping to build organizational capacity. [CBNS 1 November 2006] Canadian Bahá'í International Development Agency (CBIDA)
    1989 (Summer)
    198-
    The founding of the Maxwell International Bahá'í School. It was a co-ed Bahá'í school located on Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada. It offered day students and boarding students from many parts of the world instruction from grades 7-12. Its educational philosophy was based on the principles of the Bahá'í Faith. The school was opened in a ceremony with guest of honour Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (Mary Maxwell, daughter of May and Sutherland) and wife of the Bahá'í Faith's Guardian, Shoghi Effendi). A tree was planted in dedication to the opening of the school. In the early 2006-2007 school year, the school board decided to drop "Bahá'í" from its name, changing it to "Maxwell International School". The school closed on its 20th anniversary in 2008. [Wiki] - Bahá'í inspired schools; Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Maxwell International School, Canada; Maxwell International School, Canada; Shawnigan Lake, BC
    1994 (In the year)
    199-
    The founding of the Nancy Campbell Collegiate Institute in Stratford. [Bahaipedia] - Bahá'í inspired schools; Nancy Campbell; Nancy Campbell Academy, Canada; Stratford, ON
    1993 (Summer)
    199-
    The founding of the Ottawa Creative Writers' Group by Larry Rowdon, Bruce Filson, and Linda O'Neil, soon followed by David Erickson, Jim Desson and Jack McLean. Writers who have participated were: Damian Firth, Peter Brady, Don Bourque, Heather Cardin, Paul Touesnard, Michael Harris, Joyce Loeffelholtz, Chuck Rae, J.P. Quinn, Jeannette Lajoie, Barbara Pope, Anne Chadwick, Margaret Malloch Zielinski, Stephen Thirlwall, Carol Gravelle, Sylvie Nantais, Maryl Weatherburn, and Barbara Rager. Every second year or so a beautiful chapbook showcasing members' work is published. [Ottawa Community Newsletter 25 March 2019] Ottawa, ON; Ottawa Creative Writers Group
    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]
  • See [CBN No 136 136 May 1961 p1] for the Message from the Hands in the Holy Land.
  • See [CBN No 140 September 1961 p1] for photo.
  • Angus Cowan; Audrey Westheuser; Douglas Martin; Fred Graham; Glen Eyford; Harold Moscrop; Lloyd Gardner; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Toronto, ON
    1969 1 Jan
    196-
    The Fredericton Bahá'í community became a registered charitable organization. Charitable organizations; Fredericton, NB; New Brunswick, Canada
    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.
  • Mr. Eddie Elliott, member of the Spiritual Assembly of Montreal and son of a former servant in the Maxwell household sang the spiritual "Steal Away".
  • Mr Rowland Estall, the vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly read some Writings and then delivered the eulogy.
  • A cable that had just arrived from the Guardian announced that the southern door of the Tomb of the Báb would be named after him.
  • Mr. Estall read the Prayer for the Departed.
  • Mr Horace Holley, secretary of the National spiritual assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United states and Mr Fred Schopflocher, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, both distinguished Hands of the cause, had the honour to represent the Guardian at the service. Each of them read a prayer at the interment in Mount royal Cemetery. [CBN undated Memorial Issue; CBN #82 November 1956 p3]
  • Eddie Elliot; Fred Schopflocher; Horace Holley; John Robarts; Montreal, QC; Rowland Estall; William Sutherland Maxwell
    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]
    • Memorial services were held across Canada both on the day of the funeral and on November 18th as requested by Ruhiyyih Khanum. [CBN No 96 January, 1958 p6]
    • Following the directive of the Hands of the Cause resident in the Holy Land, the National Spiritual Assembly asked the Canadian community to refrain from "all manner of religious festivity" for a period of nine months which began on the 4th of November and ended the 4th of August. The "festive anniversaries" that fell during this period were Intercalary Days, Naw-Rúz, the Feast of Ridván and the Declaration of the Báb. In making this request the Hands were following Shoghi Effendi's example on the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf in 1932. [CBN No 97 February, 1958 p1]
    • See report by Winnifred Harvey.
    London, England; Memorial services; Shoghi Effendi, Passing of
    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] Recognition (legal); Victoria, BC; Weddings
    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
    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 Assemblies; Montreal, QC
    1970 17 Oct
    197-
    The Hand of the Cause of God was greeted at the Whitehorse airport by 60 Bahá'ís. Later that evening there was a meeting in the Masonic Hall. [CBN244Nov1970p2] - Hands of the Cause; Enoch Olinga; Whitehorse, YT
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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.
  • A grand party of well-wishers were on hand to bid Him farewell. The train departed for Buffalo at 9AM. [HD250-252] iiiii
  • `Abdu'l-Bahá in Montreal; Buffalo, NY; Montreal, QC
    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
    1969 Apr
    196-
    The incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of Yellowknife. This marked the first time that a Local Spiritual Assembly had been granted incorporation status by the government of the North West Territories.
  • At the time of the incorporation the Assembly members were: Bernice Boss, Virginia Evans, Eileen Boyd, Helen Kelly, Jack Boyd, Noland Boss, Rose Mary Thrasher,Henning Jensen, Dan Kelly
  • The Assembly had first been formed in 1963, was lost and reformed in 1967. [CBN No 228 Apr 1969 p5]
  • Bernice Boss; Dan Kelly; Eileen Boyd; Helen Kelly; Henning Jensen; Jack Boyd; Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Noland Boss; Rose Mary Thrasher; Virginia Evans; Yellowknife, NT
    1984 Nov
    198-
    The International Bahá'í Refugee Office, responsible for coordinating efforts to resettle Iranian Bahá'í refugees, was established by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada at the request of the Universal House of Justice. [BW19:50]
  • For a report of the work of the Office see BW19:50–3.
  • In 1990 this office was transferred to Geneva to facilitate closer interaction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and with other organizations concerned with refugee maters. [BW20p527]
  • Canada; International Bahá'í Refugee Office; Refugees
    1981 29 May - 3 Jun
    198-
    The International Conference on Marriage and the Family was held May 29-June 3 was held in Ottawa concurrent with the ABS conference to hear papers presented by scholars on various aspects of Bahá'í studies.

    Just as Amatu'l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum had ended the Association's annual conference, so she opened the three days of its International Bahá'í Conference on Marriage and the Family, speaking first about the problem of divorce, endemic among the Bahá'ís as it is in the world at large, and a source of great concern at the World Centre. Although marriage, she said, is not in itself a commandment, it is essential that Bahá'ís obey and take seriously the Bahá'í laws on marriage.

    One of the speakers at the International Bahá'í Conference on Marriage and the Family, sponsored by the Association for Bahá'í Studies was Mrs Yoshiko Nomura, a housewife from Tokyo, Japan, who was the founder and executive director of the Center for Lifelong Integrated Education.

    Other speakers included Kerry Mothersill, A.M. Ghadirian, Khalil A. Khavari, Michael Bruwer, Jane Faily, Frank Haendel, Hossain Danesh, Eric Frost, Sandra Roberts, N. Peseschkian, Ruth Eyford, and Anne McGillivray. [BN Issue 607 October 1981 p7]

    - Conferences, International; `Abdu'l-Missagh Ghadirian; Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Anne McGillivray; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Marriage and Family; Eric Frost; Frank Haendel; Hossain Danesh; Jane Faily; Kerry Mothersill; Khalil A. Khavari; Michael Bruwer; Nossrat Peseschkian; Ottawa, ON; Ruth Eyford; Sandra Roberts
    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]
  • The House of Worship in Wilmette was consecrated in a simple ceremony for Bahá'ís only on the 1st of May with the public dedication on the following day. [BW12:143, 152; ZK93; CBN No43 Aug 1953 p2]
    • For details of the dedication see BW12:152–4.
    • A most wonderful and thrilling motion will appear in the world of existence," are 'Abdu'l-Bahá's own words, predicting the release of spiritual forces that must accompany the completion of this most hallowed House of Worship. "From that point of light," He, further glorifying that edifice, has written, "the spirit of teaching … will permeate to all parts of the world." And again: "Out of this Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, without doubt, thousands of Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs will be born." "It marks the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth. [CoF69 Message of 21 March 1949]
  • - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Chicago, IL; Great Jubilee (1952-1953); Holy Years
    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] Hamilton, ON; Inuit people; Tuberculosis
    1972 (Summer)
    197-
    The last usage of the property known as "Beaulac" that was used as both a summer school and a winter school. The property had been expropriated to build a divided highway.

    See Memories of Beaulac by Priscilla Waugh for a brief history.

  • A list of those who gave courses at Beaulac included: Mehdi Firoozi, Margery McCormick, Stanwood Cobb, Curtis Kelsey, Genevieve Coy, Fred Graham, Alan Raynor, Marion Findlay, Rowland Estall, Peggy Ros, Audrey Westheuser, Katherine McLaughlin, Matthew Bullock, Jamie Bond, Nancy Campbell, Winston Evans, Betty Frost, Winnifred Harvey, Lily Ann Irwin, Arthur Irwin, Ron Jacobs, Ethel Martens, Doug Martin, Elizabeth Rochester, Michael Rochester, Jeannie Seddon, to name a few. Very distinguished visitors were: Hands of the Cause A. Furutan, John Robarts and William Sears.
  • Beaulac, QC; Priscilla Waugh
    1967 29 Oct
    196-
    The launch of the Centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation to the kings and the rulers in Toronto. A 30-minute memorial service for Catherine Huxtable was added to the program that included an eulogy by Michael Rochester. [LNW176-179] Catherine Huxtable; Centenaries; Memorial services; Michael Rochester; Proclamation; Toronto, ON
    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] Beaulac, QC; Genevieve Coy; Kenneth Christian; Summer schools
    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] Beaulac, QC; Summer schools
    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] Andy Andrews; Beaulac, QC; Mary Andrews; Winter schools
    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]
  • It was described as the most successful Conference held at Beaulac with over 80 Bahá'ís and friends in attendance.
  • Beaulac, QC; Margery McCormick; Mehdi Firoozi; Stanwood Cobb; Summer schools
    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] Allan Raynor; Audrey Westheuser; Genevieve Coy; Mehdi Firoozi; Ruth Moffett; Summer schools; Winnifred Harvey
    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, QC; Montreal Shrine
    1970 1 Apr
    197-
    The Local Spiritual Assembly of Nepean Township achieved incorporation status. Members of the Assembly were: Lily Ann Irwin, Danielle Vafai, Wayne Irwin, Elizabeth Kerr-Wilson, James Atack, Johnny Jolly, Arthur Irwin, John Kerr-Wilson, and Monir Vafai. [CBN Dec 1970 p2] Arthur Irwin; Danielle Vafai; Elizabeth Kerr-Wilson; James Atack; John Kerr-Wilson; Johnny Jolly; Lily Ann Irwin; Local Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Monir Vafai; Nepean, ON; Wayne Irwin
    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] Albert Rakovsky; Hedda Rakovsky; Laura Davis; Maritime Summer Conference; Woods Island, Prince Edward Island
    1968 31 May - 2 Jun
    196-
    The members of the twenty-first National Assembly elected were: Jameson Bond, Ronald Parsons, Douglas Martin, Michael Rochester, Donald Glen. Angus Cowan, Tom Anaquod, Rowland Estall, and Lloyd Gardner.

    The delegates too the National Convention were asked to elect a replacement for Lloyd Gardiner who was appointed to the newly-created North American Board of Councillors which made him ineligible for membership on national or local administrative bodies. Ballots were sent out to all delegates, but their return was delayed by a mail strike. When the count was finally taken the result was a tied vote and the delegates were required vote again, making their choice between the two people who received the equal number of votes. The deadline for the return of this second balloting was delayed in order to allow time for those attending the Oceanic Conference in Palermo to return to their homes. The deadline was set for September 17th. Mr. Ed Muttart of Fort Qu'Appelle was selected. [CBN No 223 Sep/Oct 196 p9].

    Angus Cowan; Donald Glen; Douglas Martin; Jameson Bond; Lloyd Gardner; Michael Rochester; National Convention; Ronald Parsons; Rowland Estall; Tom Anaquod
    1996 (In the Year)
    199-
    The memoir To Diffuse the Fragrances was the unpublished memoir of Bahá'í life in the Arctic completed in 1994 and written by Ken and Mary McCulloch. [Bahá'í Community of Canada: A Case Study in the transplantation of Non-Western Religious Movements by Dr Will C. Van den Hoonaard, bibliography] Bahá'í House; Baker Lake, NU; Canada; Ken McCulloch; Mary McCulloch; To Diffuse the Fragrances
    1976 Ridván
    197-
    The municipalities of Aylmer, Lucerne and Deschenes, QC amalgamated and as a result, the existing Assemblies of Lucerne and Aylmer were united under the new name of the united municipalities-Aylmer. No Assembly had been formed in Deschenes. [email from David Erickson dated 28 May 2022] Aylmer, QC; Deschenes, QC; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Lucerne, QC; Outaouais Cluster
    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; Bahá'í history
    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
    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
    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.
  • The Public Congress was held in the Royal Ontario Museum Theatre. About 300 persons attended. [CBN No 89 June, 1957 p3-4]
  • Photo.
  • There were 17 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada at this point, a drop from 19 two years earlier. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p20]
  • Allan Raynor; Audrey Westheuser; Fred Graham; Harold Moscrop; Hart Bowsfield; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Lloyd Gardner; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Toronto, ON; Winnifred Harvey
    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.
    • For a list of delegates to the 12th National Convention see [CBN No 110 March 1959 p2].
    • For the message from the Hands to the Convention see [CBN No 113 June 1959 p1-6].
    Allan Raynor; Audrey Westheuser; Harold Moscrop; Hart Bowsfield; Lloyd Gardner; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Toronto, ON; Winnifred Harvey
    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]
  • See [CBN No 101 June 1958, Special Insert] for the Message from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land to the National Convention.
  • Allan Raynor; Audrey Westheuser; Fred Graham; Harold Moscrop; Hart Bowsfield; Lloyd Gardner; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Toronto, ON; Winnifred Harvey
    1978 Ridván
    197-
    The National Convention was held in Fredericton. Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Glen Eyford, Michael Rochester, Hossain Danesh, Husayn Banani, Jameson Bond, Elizabeth Rochester, Douglas Martin, Ruth Eyford, and Ed Muttart. [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p7] Douglas Martin; Ed Muttart; Elizabeth Rochester; Fredericton, NB; Glen Eyford; Hossain Danesh; Husayn Banani; Jameson Bond; Michael Rochester; National Convention; Ruth Eyford
    1970 30 Apr - 3 May
    197-
    The National Convention was held in Glendon College at York University in Toronto. Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Glen Eyford, Rowland Estall, Don Glen, Tom Anaquod, Michael Rochester, Husayn Banani, Angus Cowan, Douglas Martin, and Ed Muttart. [UC175] Angus Cowan; Donald Glen; Douglas Martin; Ed Muttart; Glen Eyford; Husayn Banani; Michael Rochester; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Rowland Estall; Tom Anaquod; Toronto, ON
    1968 May
    196-
    The National Convention was held in Regina and was delayed by the fact that the members of the National Assembly were attending the International Convention in Haifa. Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Jameson Bond, Ronald Parsons, Douglas Martin, Michael Rochester, Donald Glen, Angus Cowan, Tom Anaquod, Rowland Estall, and Lloyd Gardner.
  • The delegates were asked to elect a replacement for Lloyd Gardiner. Due to his appointment to the newly-created North American Board of Councillors he was ineligible for membership on national or local administrative bodies. Ballots were sent to all delegates but the count was delayed by a mail strike. When the count was finally taken the result was a tied vote and the delegates were required to vote again, making their choice between the two people who received the equal number of votes. The deadline for the return of this second balloting was also delayed in order to allow time for those attending the Oceanic Conference in Palermo to return to their homes. The new deadline was set for September 17th and the results were made available shortly thereafter. [CBN No 222 August 1968 p8]
  • Angus Cowan; Donald Glen; Douglas Martin; Jameson Bond; Lloyd Gardner; Michael Rochester; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Regina, SK; Ronald Parsons; Rowland Estall; Tom Anaquod
    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
    1998 Ridván
    199-
    The National Convention was held in the Bahá'í Shrine in Montreal the location of the first National Convention 50 years previous. Those elected were: Husayn Banani, Glen Eyford. Judy Filson, Margot Leonard, Susan Lyons, Karen McKye. Reginald Newkirk, Louise Profeit-Leblanc, and Enayat Rawhani. [CBN Vol 11 No 3 Jul 1998 p11] Enayat Rawhani; Glen Eyford; Husayn Banani; Judy Filson; Karen McKye; Louise Profeit-LeBlanc; Margot Leonard; Montreal, QC; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Reginald Newkirk; Susan Lyons
    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]
    • List of delegates. [CBN No 62 March, 1955 p1]
    • On May 1st the friends shared in a Memorial Service for Marion Jack. The delegates and other believers gathered in Victoria Hall in Westmount for a brief commemoration and prayers in advance of the main Memorial Service at the Temple. [CBN No 62 March, 1955 from the 4-page insert]
    • The Guardian's message to the National Convention dated 17 April 1954 was distributed as an insert to CBN No 54 Jun 1954. The message list recent accomplishments.
    • See the National Convention report, the Guardian's supplementary message to the Convention and a letter, Progress at the World Centre from the International Bahá'i Council. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p4]
    Albert Rakovsky; Allan Raynor; Angus Cowan; Audrey Westheuser; Donald MacLaren; Lloyd Gardner; Memorial services; NSA; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Peggy Ross; Rowland Estall; Statistics; Toronto, ON; Winnifred Harvey
    1964 24 - 27
    196-
    The National Convention was held in Toronto [CBN No 167 December, 1963 p1] National Convention; Toronto, 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
    1969 Feb
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly announced that a favourable offer was received for its Cummer-Bayview Temple property and their offer for a property for the Temple and the Hazírratu'l-Quds in Markham Township had both been concluded on the 15th of October, 1968. The new property was "just over 16 1/2 acres, beautifully contoured and wooded with large open areas, including and exceptionally fine house surrounded by landscaped grounds." [CBN No 224 November, 1968 p1; CBN No 26 January, 1969, p7-8]
  • See [MtC198-199] for a photo of the property at Cummer Avenue and Bayview Avenue.
  • The move was made from 15 Lola Road to the Willowdale location in January-February of 1969. The new address was Box 519, Willowdale 441, Ontario.
  • See [MtC198-199] for a photo.
  • Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON; Willowdale, ON
    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
    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.
  • A search for a suitable piece of land for the Haziratu'l-Quds and the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár was undertaken. [CBN No 45 October 1953 p3]
  • - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON
    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]
  • For a list of delegates see CBN No 159 Apr 1963 p1]
  • Those elected by postal ballot were: Husayn Banani (vice), Lloyd Gardner (tres.), Rowland Estall (chair), Audrey Westheuser (sec'y), Peggy Ross, Glen Eyford, Angus Cowan, Douglas Martin, Michael Rochester. [CBN No161 June 1963 p1]
  • Angus Cowan; Audrey Westheuser; Douglas Martin; Glen Eyford; Husayn Banani; Lloyd Gardner; Michael Rochester; National Convention; Peggy Ross; Postal ballot; Rowland Estall
    1986 12 Feb
    198-
    The National Spiritual Assembly announced the 77 new electoral districts that would be used to elect the 171 delegates the to the National Convention. This was done in consideration of the direction from the Universal House of Justice in its letter of 21 July 1985. [Bahá'í Canada Vol 8 no 1 Feb/Mar 1986 p28] Conventions, District; Conventions, National
    1968 17 Sep
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly announced the result of the by-election held to elect a replacement for Lloyd Gardner, whose appointment to the North American Board of Counsellors made him ineligible for membership on national or local administrative bodies. The new member, elected by postal ballot, by the delegates to our last National Convention, was Mr. Ed Muttart of Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan. [CBN No 223 September-October 1968 p10] Ed Muttart; Fort Qu'Appelle, SK; National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, By-election; National Spiritual Assembly, election of
    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.
  • On the weekend following the mailout, notices were placed in the newspaper on the church page informing people that their clergy had received the material and notice was given about a public meeting on Sunday with the subject "Christ and Bahá'u'lláh".
  • Questionnaires were sent to every group in Ontario requesting information that would facilitate further plans. [CBN No 104 September 1958 p3-4]
  • Carol Bowie; David Bowie; Douglas Martin; Elizabeth Martin; Fred Graham; Hamilton, ON; Jean Graham; Promulgation Campaign
    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]
  • "The Guardian was greatly encouraged to learn of the steps being taken by you for the translation of literature into Ukrainian and into Polish. He feels that this is a very important step, and one which will produce outstanding results for the Faith". [CBN No 51 Apr 1954 p1]
  • * Translation; Polish language; Ukrainian; Winnipeg, MB
    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
    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]
  • For a description see CBN No 38 February 1953 p4.
  • See [MtC198-199] for a photo.
  • Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON
    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] - Native Americans; National Spiritual Assembly, submission; Ottawa, 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] - In Memoriam; Marion Jack; Toronto, ON
    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 Committee; Pioneer training; Pioneering; Toronto, ON
    1995 May
    199-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada presented a paper entitled A Bahá'í Perspective on the Future of Canadian Foreign Policy to the Special Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing Canadian Foreign Policy. [A Bahá'í Perspective on the Future of Canadian Foreign Policy] - National Spiritual Assembly, statements; - Statements; Foreign policy; Ottawa, ON
    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]
    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
    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 Jan
    195-
    The National Spiritual Assembly published the policy on membership in Freemasonry.

  • From the American Bahá'î News, September; 1955: "A recent issue of the British Bahá'í Journal contained the text of two cables from the Guardian concerning membership of Bahá'îs in Freemasonry:
      'Disapprove membership (in) Freemasonry' (November 11, 1954);
      'Any Bahá'î determined retain membership (in) Freemasonry loses voting rights' (December 22, 1954) .
    • The National Spiritual Assembly inquired of the Guardian whether this directive applied to the United States. In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, dated July 9, 1955, this question was answered:
        'The directive regarding membership. in Freemasonry should be 'carried out by your Assembly in all areas under your Assembly's jurisdiction.'The Guardian's directive about Freemasonry is an application of the general principle he laid down some years ago to the effect that Bahá'îs are not to affiliate with organizations, any of whose purposes and methods contradict fundamental principles of the Bahá'í teachings. This directive closes our ranks for the forth-coming new period of public responsibility when enemies of the Cause will do their best to find ways to discredit our principles of complete neutrality with respect to various social organizations in East and West."

      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
    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 considers the revised criteria you sent him for the Temple and Haziratu'l-Quds, as outlined in your letter of December 15th, satisfactory.
      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."
    [CBN No68 Sep 1955 p2]

    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 ] * Publications; Pioneering; Round Robin (publication)
    1948 Ridvan
    194-
    The newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada launched a Five Year Plan (1948-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]
    • The objective was to expand the Faith into Newfoundland and Greenland. [BBRSM158] Note: Newfoundland (then called Newfoundland and Labradour) did not join Confederation until the 31st of March 1949.

    Should the fire of the love of God be kindled in Greenland, all the ice of that country will be melted, and its cold weather become temperate—that is, if the hearts be touched with the heat of the love of God, that territory will become a divine rose garden and a heavenly paradise, and the souls, even as fruitful trees, will acquire the utmost freshness and beauty. Effort, the utmost effort, is required. Should you display an effort, so that the fragrances of God may be diffused among the Eskimos, its effect will be very great and far-reaching. [TDP28]

    * Teaching Plans; Greenland; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
    1979
    197-
    The news of the formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Tyendinaga brought the Universal House of Justice great happiness, A letter written on behalf of the House of Justice to Evelyn Loft states: 'The steadfastness of your parents in remaining at their post is indeed exemplary and fully demonstrates the spirit of true pioneering." [BW19p699] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tyendinaga First Nation, ON
    1997 24 Mar - 16 May
    199-
    The nine member First Nations Travel Teaching Trip to the South Pacific, called "The Journey of Teech-ma" consisted of Canadian Bahá'ís from Kwakiutl, Nuu-Cha-Nuth, the Ojibway First Nations, a Yupik Bahá'í from Alaska and three non-Native Canadian friends. They shared their culture and their Faith with the Maori, other New Zealanders, the Aborigines and other Australians as well as the ne-Vanuatu peoples. See entry for 1994 (Summer). [SDSC370] - First Nations, Canada; Aboriginal people; Australia; Canada; Indigenous people; Maori people; New Zealand; Pacific; Travel teaching; Vanuatu
    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]
    • The Declaration of Trust and By-laws of the National Spiritual Assembly was accepted with its implications for more restricted membership. [OBCC166]
    • The question of race "was discussed at length and with unprecedented frankness". [OBCC90]
    • Edwina Powell spoke on the subject, as she had been asked by Shoghi Effendi. [TMW178]
    • In her address, Sadie Oglesby recalled her conversations with Shoghi Effendi on the subject of race. [TMW178–80]
    Declaration of Trust and By-laws; Edwina Powell; Montreal, QC; National Convention; Sadie Oglesby
    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] Montreal, QC; Tablets of the Divine Plan
    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] Burt, NY; International Bahá'í Picnic
    1975 7 Sep
    197-
    The official opening of the National Centre at 7200 Leslie Street in Thornhill Ontario. [from an invitation to the event] Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Toronto, ON
    1952 Aug
    195-
    The Ontario Bahá'í Summer School was held at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. [UC35] Collingwood, ON; Summer schools
    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] Franklin Camp, ON; John Robarts; Summer schools
    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] Lake Couchiching, ON; Ontario Summer Conference
    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]
    • Winston Evans extended his teaching trip throughout Western Ontario to consult with the Promulgation Committee. Two new pamphlets were designed, "The Reality of the Return of Christ" and "Letters to Christians". He spoke at public meetings in Toronto, London, Ajax, Georgetown, Dundas, Forest and other communities. [CBN No 105 October 1958 p3; UC80]
    Audrey Westheuser; Beatrice Ashton; Geneva Park, ON; Proclamation I; Promulgation Campaign; Summer schools; Winston Evans
    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] Collingwood, ON; Curtis Kelsey; Lloyd Gardner; Margery McCormick; Nancy Campbell; Rex King (Reginald King); Summer schools
    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] Charles Grindlay; Dundas, ON; Forest, ON; Nancy Campbell; Summer schools
    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
    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 Ottawa, ON; Rowland Estall; Winnifred Harvey; World Religion Day
    1955 7 Jun
    195-
    The Ottawa Spiritual Assembly was incorporated. Those serving on the Assembly at the time were: Gladys Alberta Harvey,, Mary Alice Andrews; John Davies, Clarence Stanley Andrews, Thomas Garth Harvey, Winnifred Isabella Harvey, Edna Louisa Hughes, Andre-Eric Nutis and John Roger White. Andre-Eric Nutis; Andy Andrews; Edna Hughes; Garth Harvey; Gladys Harvey; Incorporation; John Davies; Mary Andrews; Roger White; Winnifred Harvey
    1971 9 Jan
    197-
    The passing of Albert (Bert) Rakovsky (Radowsky). [CBN No 247 February 1971] - Biography; - In Memoriam; Albert Rakovsky
    1973 22 May
    197-
    The passing of Alfred "Jim" Loft (b. 13 July 1908 in Hiawatha, Ontario) on Tyendinaga First Nation [BW16p514-516]

    Alfred James Loft (1908-1973) was the first Canadian Bahá'í of the Mohawk Nation. His earliest childhood recollection was of sitting on a fence near his home (in Oshawa, Ontario) watching a train crossing the landscape. A figure clothed in flowing white robes was on the train, smiling and waving at him. In confusion and delight Jim toppled backwards. When he found the Bahá'í Faith in 1948, he recognized the figure on the train as 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Who had left Montreal on 9 September 1912 on a train bound for Toronto where He changed trains for Buffalo, New York. In 1949, in obedience to the Guardian's wishes, Jim returned with his family to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga) to establish the Faith among his people, remaining there until his death.
    [Witness of Pebbles, by Roger White, p24]

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Hiawatha, ON; Jim Loft; Roger White; Tyendinaga First Nation, ON
    1979 25 Sep
    197-
    The passing of Allan Raynor (b. 31 August, 1910 in Toronto)
  • His first acquaintance with Baha'is was in 1934 at a gathering organized by W. J. Christie of Parry Sound in northern Ontario. It was there that he met Lloyd Gardner.
  • He went on pilgrimage in 1956. After the passing of the Guardian he travelled across Canada sharing his experiences with Shoghi Effendi.
  • Mr. Raynor will be remembered for his work in educating the Canadian Bahá'í community in the knowledge of the Covenant. When the assaults on the Covenant came Canadian Bahá'ís were not swayed.
  • His study of Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah was legendary. His personal copy could not be called a "book" but rather it was a loose collection of pages.
  • In 1978-1979 he was appointmented as Assistant to Auxiliary Board Member for Protection, Carol Bowie.
  • So moving and eloquent was he at the hour of his death that Canada's national newspaper printed a major article on his life.
  • A tribute to Allan was made by Roger White in his poem entitled 'In Recognition' which was published in his book, The Witness of Pebbles. The poem was inspired during Allan's 1977 pilgrimage. Another writer, Nathan Rutsein paid homage by including a chapter called 'The Example of Allan Raynor' in his book, Spirit in Action: Teaching the Bahá'í Faith. [BW18p696-698]
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Allan Raynor; Assistants; Toronto, ON
    1988 8 May
    198-
    The passing of Beatrice Owen Ashton (b. 17 May, 1890, Cleveland). She was buried in the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland. [BW20p896-899]
  • She graduated from Vassar College in 1911 and in 1918 she learned of the Faith in Urbana, IL from Dr Jacob and Anna Kunz after meeting some Bahá'ís who had been picnicking. (See BW16p520 for In Memoriam for Anna Kunz)
  • In August of 1918 she married Frank Ashton at Green Acre. In post-war 1945, the National Spiritual Assembly appointed her as the international relief representative for Germany and the Philippines. During the summers from 1947 to 1953 she undertook teaching trips to Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. In April of 1952 she went on pilgrimage and met the Guardian for the first time. [BN no262, December, 1952 p5-7]
  • In addition to administrative tasks she worked on the production of Bahá'í World XIII and taught summer school classes at Green Acre, Louhelen and Geyserville as well as Beaulac, Banff and Toronto in Canada.
  • She pioneered to Lethbridge, Alberta from 1958 to 1966 and taught the Faith on the Peigan Reserve (now Piikini First Nation). When the Bahá'ís of Lethbridge elected their first Local Spiritual Assembly she went back to European teaching and made four trips to Norway by 1970.
  • From 1970 she served in Haifa in the Research Department, cataloging and indexing the Guardian's letters and correspondence but in 1972 she had to return to the US due to failing health.
  • In her latter years she made an index for Citadel of Faith as well as for Messages to America and indexed the Writings of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh that Shoghi Effendi had translated.
  • Find a grave.
  • - Biography; Beatrice Ashton; Lethbridge, AB; Summer schools; Travel teaching
    1987 31 Dec
    198-
    The passing of Bill Waugh (b. 18 March 1904 Verdun, QC). He was buried in the Cap-aux-Meules cemetery.

    Bill was well-known in Quebec and the Maritimes for his ten years of service at the Laurentian Bahá'í School at Beaulac, Quebec, his travel teaching in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and his wholehearted participation in regional activities when the Magdalens were a part of the Prince Edward Island teaching region.

    He served Bahá'í communities across Canada from Saanich, B.C., Beloeil, Quebec, and lastly to the Magdalen Islands where Bill, his wife Percilla and daughter Barbara pioneered for the last fifteen years of his life. [BC Vol 10 No 1 March 1988 p15]

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Bill Waugh; Laurentian Bahá'í School, Quebec; Magdalen Islands, QC; Priscilla Waugh; Verdun, QC
    1967 25 Oct
    196-
    The passing of Canadian pioneer and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Catherine Huxtable (b. 6 January, 1932 Carlwood, Surrey, England) at her home in Jamestown, St Helena. Her life had been shortened due to muscular dystrophy. She, husband Cliff and son Gavin had arrived on St. Helena some nineteen months before. [LNW169, BW14p313-315]
  • See A Conqueror for St. Helena: A Tribute to Catherine Huxtable by W. G. Huxtable.
  • See A Love That Could Not Wait for the story of her marriage and pioneering experiences.
  • See Wikitree.
  • See Bahaipedia iiiii
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; - Pioneers; Catherine Huxtable; Clifford Huxtable; Gavin Huxtable; Jamestown, St Helena
    1985 7 Mar
    198-
    The passing of Continental Board of Counsellor Lloyd Gardner. [Mess63-68p660]
  • See BW19p663-665
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Lloyd Gardner
    1986 9 Mar
    198-
    The passing of Continental Board of Counsellor member Angus Welldon Cowan (b.12 September 1914 in Bishopton, Quebec) at his home in Invermere, BC. [BW19p703–70; BCNS; Find a grave]
  • The message from the Universal House of Justice Mess63-86p723.
  • Tribute was paid to Angus in an article in Bahá'í Canada called "A Special Measure of Love: A Tribute to the Native Teaching Work of Angus Cowan". [Bahá'í Canada Vol 8 No 1 Feb/Mar 1986 p12-18]
  • See his biography Angus: From the Heart: The Life of Counsellor Angus Cowan by Patricia Verge, Springtide Publishing, Cochrane AB, 1999.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Angus Cowan; Bishopton, QC; Invermere, BC; Patricia Verge
    1974 1 Feb
    197-
    The passing of Daoud Toeg (b. Baghdad, Iraq in 1897) in Hull, Quebec (now Gatineau).
    • After he had learned of the Faith he enrolled eight other persons before writing the Guardian with his own declaration.
    • He pioneered to Italy in the 1930s for about a year and a half.
    • In 1954 he was appointed Auxiliary Board Member for Iraq, on the first Auxiliary Board for Asia. He served for sixteen years.
    • He supervised the construction of the Hazíratu'l-Quds in Baghdad and was helpful in securing a Temple site.
    • Mr. Toeg served the Guardian by conveying artifacts and Huqúqu'lláh payments from Persia to the Holy Land at a time when there was no direct communications.
    • He served as a representative of the Huqúqu'lláh for the believers in Iraq.
    • He was instrumental in locating and photographing the caves of Sar-Galú in Sulaymáníyyih, Kurdistán where Bahá'u'lláh lived for two years while in retreat.
    • He, his wife Latifa, and their sons pioneered to Kirkuk during the Ten Year Crusade but after seven years were asked to return to Baghdad to assist with the work there.
    • The family left Iraq in 1970 and settled in Hull where they helped to establish the first Local Spiritual Assembly. [BW16p527-528, Bahá'í World 16, Grave; CBN No 277 March 1974 p11]
    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Auxiliary board members; Baghdad, Iraq; Daoud Toeg; Hull, QC; Iraq; Kurdistan; Sulaymaniyyih, Iraq
    1992 11 Nov
    199-
    The passing of Doris McKay (b. Doris Henrietta Hill 29 September, 1894) in Charlottetown.
    • She married Willard Judd McKay 30 June 1923. In 1925 she and Willard attended a fireside given by Howard and Mabel Ives. In 1929 she made her fist travel teaching trip to New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Boston, Portsmouth and to Montreal. She was a frequent lecturer at Green Acre. In 1939 she returned to Canada to staff the Bahá'í booth at the Canadian National Exhibition and to visit communities in Hamilton, Montreal and Moncton where she took up residence in 1942. In the fall of 1943 they moved to Prince Edward Island to help win a goal of the Seven Year Plan by establishing a local spiritual assembly in Charlottetown.
    • In 1928 while still a resident in the US and a member of the Outline Bureau of the National Teaching Committee she developed "36 Lessons", some of the first deepening materials and study outlines for the American believers. She was a contributor to the Star of the West and later The Bahá'í World.
    • Her autobiography Fire in Many Hearts, written with Paul Vreeland, was published in 1991 by Nine Pines Publishing and was republished by George Ronald under a new title Fires in Many Hearts - Memoirs of an early American believer. [BWIM30-32]
    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Doris McKay; Fire in Many Hearts; Hamilton, ON; Moncton, NB; Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON
    1990 16 Oct
    199-
    The passing of Dorothy Maquabeak Francis (b. 22 March 1912 Waywayseecappo First Nation) in New Westminster, BC. In 1978 she received the Order of Canada in recognition of her life-long work for First Nations people. Her name, Maquabeak, means "Sitting Bear Woman". [BW20p990-991] - Biography; - In Memoriam; Dorothy Francis; New Westminster, BC; Order of Canada
    1966 May
    196-
    The passing of Dr Stanley William Bolton (b. 24 March 1892 North Adelaide Township, ON) in Australia.

    Stanley Bolton was conscripted into the Canadian Armed Forces at the beginning of World War I and was wounded in France. After the war and upon release from service he found work with the Fuller Brush Company and met Mariette Germain Roy in 1922. They were married in 1923 and the couple moved to Australia in 1924, arriving in Sydney on September 24. Stanley was still employed by the Fuller Brush Company and worked to establish the business in Australia, travelling across several states in the process.

    The Bolton's first heard of the Bahá'í Faith when they met Hyde and Clara Dunn in 1925, but they did not become Bahá'ís until they met Keith Ransom-Kehler when she visited Australia in 1931. The Fuller Brush Company had closed down in 1929 due to Australian import restrictions and the Boltons moved to the United States in 1931, settling in Detroit where they assisted the local Bahá'í community.

    They were introduced to chiropractic because of the illness of their son. Both Stanley and Mariette became qualified chiropractors and established a practice in Sydney when they returned to Australia in 1934.

    In 1936 the Bolton's bought three acres of land in Yerrinbool to be used to host Bahá'í Summer Schools. Hyde Dunn laid the cornerstone of the first building on the site on the 11th of October 1936. Siegfried Schopflocher visited the property shortly after the first building was completed and suggested that it be named Bolton Place. The property was officially opened at a ceremony chaired by Stanley during the second Australian and New Zealand National Convention on May 2nd, 1937. The Bolton's did not live on the property, but Stanley or Mariette traveled from Sydney to Yerrinbool every Wednesday from 1940 to 1943.

    The first Australian Bahá'í Summer School was held on the property from the 8th to the 23rd of January 1938, and has been held there every year since. Stanley served as Chairman of the Summer School and both he and his wife delivered talks during sessions. Stanley and Mariette personally managed all of the affairs of the Summer School until 1945 when they transferred the responsibilities of management to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand. Stanley continued to serve as Secretary of the Summer School after the transfer, and he and Mariette were caretakers of the property until they left Yerrinbool, moving to Orange, in 1963. In 1949 the Bolton's began proceedings to legally transfer ownership of the Yerrinbool property to the National Spiritual Assembly, which were completed in March 1963.

    In August 1943 the Bolton's moved to Yerrinbool, and began hosting Summer School attendees in their home. They served as inaugural members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Yerrinbool when it was established in 1948. In 1947 the Bolton's invited Frank Khan, a prominent member of the Australian Muslim community, to give a talk on Islam at the Summer School. Frank's family became the first Australian Muslims to become Bahá'í's in December 1948.

    His service included the Local Teaching Committee, the Summer School Committee, Temple Construction Committee or as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, he was forthright and definite in both thought and deed. Of the twenty years, 1937 - 1958, he served on the National Spiritual Assembly for seventeen, frequently as chairman.

    He and Mariette attended the dedication of the Wilmette Temple in 1953 as representatives of Australia and New Zealand and had the bounty of going on pilgrimage to Haifa. They returned to Australia with a gift from the Guardian —a cream fez of 'Abdu'l-Bahá [BW14p323-325; Find a grave]

    - Biography; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Stanley Bolton
    1990 5 Sep
    199-
    The passing of Emeric Sala (Emereich Szalvetz ) (b.12 November, 1906 in Havas Dombrovitza, Hungary (later Romania)). He was buried in Royal Oak Burial Park Cemetery in Victoria, BC. [BW Vol. XX p993-995; Find a grave]

    He was a founding member of the Montreal Youth Group along with Rowland Estal and George Spendlove, the first organized youth class in the Western Hemisphere. From that youth group came a Hand of the Cause of God, a member of the Universal House of Justice, two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, three members of National Spiritual Assemblies, and the authors of three Bahá'í books.

    He and Siegfried Schopflocher were instrumental in purchasing and developing the first Canadian Bahá'í property at Beaulac, north of Montreal.

    In 1940 he and his wife Rosemary pioneered for one year to Venezuela and served as travelling teachers throughout South America.

    In 1945 he published This Earth One Country. He wrote about such revolutionary concepts as a "planetary economy", "a supranational community" and a "world plan". [TG86-92]

    Both he and Rosemary were elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada when it was formed in 1948 and served until they pioneered in 1953.

    In 1953 they tried to pioneer to the Comoro Islands but could not get residential status from the French government so they settled in Eshowe Zululand, now South Africa where they were involved in commercial trading. When the government would not renew their licence to trade they moved to Port Elizabeth.

    They returned to Canada briefly in 1963 and pioneered to Guadalajara, Mexico and travelled extensively throughout Central America. Rosemary died at her post in February of 1980.

    In 1980 he married his second wife, Donya, and together they travelled through the Americas, China, India and Europe. [BW20 p993-995; Bahá'ís of Canada]

    His biography and that of his wife Rosemary, Tending the Garden was written by his niece Ilona Sala Weinstein. It was published in 2016 by One Voice Press of Essex, MD. This publication is also available in the e-book format.

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Beaulac, QC; Emeric Sala; Eshowe, South Africa; Gqeberha, South Africa; Guadalajara, Mexico; Mexico; Montreal, QC; South Africa; South Africa; Victoria, BC
    1959 20 Jun
    195-
    The passing of Ernest Vernon Harrison (b. 22 November, 1880 in Bengal, India) in Charlottetown.
    • He had immigrated to Montreal by way of Nigeria and the Sudan where he had worked on railway projects. He arrived with his wife Amy and their two children, a boy and a girl.
    • He associated with the Bahá'í community for a number of years from 1916 but did not make a commitment. In 1921 while on his way to California, he stopped briefly in Wilmette and met with so much loving kindness that he could not sleep. That summer he wrote to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and received a Tablet from Him dated the 16th of August 1921. In five years time he accepted the Faith and became active.
    • In December, 1925 he delivered an address in the same church as 'Abdu'l-Bahá had spoken in 1912. [BN No 10 February 1926 p8]
    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Ernest Harrison
    1962 10 May
    196-
    The passing of F. St. George Spendlove (b. 23 April 1897 in Montreal) [BW13p895-899; Bahá'ís of Canada]
  • He was part of the community of early believers in Montreal where he learned about the Faith after returning from the war in Europe.
  • He was a curator of the Canadian Collection at the Royal Ontario Museum. The Face of Early Canada, published in 1958, was illustrated with pieces from this collection. A second book, Collectors' Luck, followed in 1960. [BW13p895–899]
  • See Bahá'ís of Canada.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; George Spendlove; Montreal, QC; Toronto, ON
    1970 26 Sept
    197-
    The passing of Florence Evaline (Lorol) Schopflocher (b.1886 in Montreal. QC) in the Green Acre area. She was buried at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Eliot, Maine [Find a grave]
  • Wife of Hand of the Cause of God Siegfried Schopflocher. For his "In Memoriam" see BW7p664.
  • She circled the globe nine times on travel teaching tours and visited some 86 countries, many of them multiple times. She travelled to Iran twice visiting parts not previously visited by Western Bahá'ís.
  • She visited the Guardian 11 times.
  • She had several audiences with King Feisal in Iraq and discussed the question of the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád with him.
  • Favourite themes for her public talks were the World Order letters of Shoghi Effendi and the emancipation and education of women.
  • A radiant star went from the West to the East. [BW15p488-489]
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Eliot, ME; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Lorol Schopflocher; Montreal, QC; Siegfried Schopflocher
    1998 8 Apr
    199-
    The passing of Florence Virginia Wilson Mayberry (b. 18 September 1906 in Sleeper, Missouri) in Marshfield, Missouri. She became a Bahá'í in 1941 in Reno, Nevada. From 1954 to 1959 she served on the first Auxiliary Board for North America covering the Western States and Canada. While serving as an Auxiliary Board member, Florence was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States in 1959. Shortly after the Mayberry family pioneered to Mexico in 1961 where Mrs. Mayberry was elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly of that country and participated in the first International Bahá'í Convention in 1963. In 1968 she was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America, then in 1973 she was appointed as one of three Counselors of the newly established International Teaching Center where she served for 10 years. [BW26p275]
  • Her autobiography, The Great Adventure was published by Nine Pines Publishing in 1994.
  • She was a mystery writer. She had a number of stories published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
  • Find a grave.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Auxiliary board members; Continental Board of Counsellors; Florence Mayberry; International Teaching Centre; Marshfield, MO; National Spiritual Assemblies; Sleeper, MO
    1975 21 Jul
    197-
    The passing of Fred Graham (b. 26 August, 1913 Rose Valley, PE) at his cottage, KirKonKotta, near Kincardine. He was buried in the small cemetery in Tiverton near a grove of six pine trees.
  • His funeral, chaired by Counsellor Lloyd Gardner, was held in Kincardine. Although remote from any large centre of population it was attended by about two hundred and seventy-five mourners. [BW16p558; CBN Issue 287 August/September 1975 p12-13; UC203-212]
  • A biography was published in 2013 by Dale Sims entitled An Uncommon Canadian: The Story of Fred Graham.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Fred Graham; Kincardine, ON; Rose Valley, Prince Edward Island
    1994 13 Mar
    199-
    The passing of Gladys Isabel McLean (b 8 June 1912 Edmonton, AB) in hospital in Edmonton. She first heard of the Faith in 1944 in a talk given by Anita Ioas. After being admonished by Florence Mayberry for "sitting on the fence" for ten years she declared her faith. She will be long remembered for her travel teaching trips and for her service at the Temple in New Delhi. She was survived by her daughter Felicity Enayat. [BahaiWorld In Memoriam p133-136] - Biography; - In Memoriam; Edmonton, AB; Gladys McLean
    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,
    • She was the aunt of John Robarts and was introduced to the Cause by Lua Getzinger in 1906.
    • She met her husband Harlon Ober when she was working at Lanier Camp on River Road in Eliot, Maine. He was at Green Acre during the time of the visit of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Grace went with Lua to prepare a place for 'Abdul-Bahá in Chicago and then, after subletting her cottage at Green Acre she made arrangements for His visit to New York City. It was the wish of 'Abdu'l-Bahá that she marry Harlan Ober. Lua came to her to give her this news. She had only met Harlon a few times and was unprepared to contact Harlan so Lua wrote to Harlan - and Harlan, radiant at the thought that he was obeying a suggestion of his beloved Master, took the next train to New York from Boston where he lived. He came at once to see Grace and together they went walking through Central Park where he proposed and Grace, still. dazed.and uncertain, accepted - because it was the will of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Grace Robarts and Harlan Ober were married by 'Abdu'l-Bahá at the home He was staying in in New York City. Later that same day they were married again by the laws of New York when Howard Colby Ives performed the legal ceremony.
    • In 1938 Grace went on an extensive teaching trip through the Southern states. She had been very ill previous to this. The teaching trip ended in time for her to reach Wilmette and attend the Convention in the spring of 1938. It was a very radiant Convention and the report Grace gave of her teaching trip was one of the high points of it because Grace herself was so radiant and filled with the glory of the great privilege of teaching. She stood there, before the crowded hall in the Bahá'í House of Worship, filled with the great glory that shone from her and, closing her report, she uttered a tremendous clarion call for pioneers and for teachers. Then she walked down to resume her seat amongst the delegates. But on her way she paused beside Harlan, who had just been re-elected to the National Spiritual Assembly. "I want to congratulate you now" she whispered, "I may not have time later", They smiled at each other with the perfect understanding that had always existed between them. Then Grace slipped into her own seat. As she sat down her head drooped slightly and those glancing at her assumed she was lost in prayer. But when she made no movement for many moments someone touched her and realized something was wrong. Edris Rice-Wray and Katherine True both moved forward - and Grace was gone - gone through her Open Door - gone on her beautiful journey to the arms of 'Abdu'l- Bahá.
    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Grace Robarts Ober; Howard Colby Ives; John Robarts; Lua Getsinger; South Eliot, ME
    1991 18 Jun
    199-
    The passing of Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, John Aldham Robarts at Rawdon, Quebec. He was born in Waterloo, Ontario 2nd of November, 1901. [VV124]
    • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the third contingent on the 2nd of October, 1957. [MoCxxiii]
    • See BW20p801-809.
    • For his obituary see BINS250:10.
    • For picture see VV124.
    • For the story of how he came to learn of the Faith see SBR137.
    • See LoF473-495.
    • A 50-minute film entitledRetrospective, a Ciné Bahá'í production, was made as a tribute to the Hand of the Cause John A. Robarts on the occasion of his 40th anniversary as a member of the Bahá'í community.
    - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; John Robarts; Rawdon, QC
    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.

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Honoré Jaxon; Metis people; New York City, NY
    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]
    • He and his wife Mabel spent nearly the last twenty years of his life as itinerant teachers. (Often teamed up with the Obers and the McKays) For example they came to Toronto in November of 1938 and stayed for about 10 months. During that time Mabel gave more than 150 lectures in Toronto and about 70 in Hamilton, Toronto's expansion goal. Howard, who was had had heart problems and who was rapidly losing for sight and hearing at the time, complemented her abilities by doing personal deepening with receptive souls. [TMLF62-67, SEBW139-154]

    Some of his works were:

    • The Ocean of His Utterances Unpublished study course in the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh using the books of Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l‑Baha, and Shoghi Effendi, compiled and with commentary by Ives. Not yet formatted.
    • Portals to Freedom (1937) A collection of anecdotes and history of Abdu'l-Baha's travels to the United States, as told by one observer. [BEL7.1313 to 7.1320]
    • The Song Celestial (1938) A mystical book about Mr. Ives' search for God, in which a seeker asks God various questions, and God responds. [BEL7.1321-1322]
    • Also see Mother's Stories: Recollections of Abdu'l-Baha by Muriel Ives Barrow Newhall (Daughter of Howard and Mabel Ives)
    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Hamilton, ON; Howard Colby Ives; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Toronto, ON; Travel teaching
    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]
    • Just prior to her passing Jean wrote an impassioned appeal to the Canadian Bahá'í community to do what you can in service of the Faith while you are yet able. Six months before her passing she was apparently healthy and active and then she received her diagnosis of cancer. [CBN No 110 March 1959 p3]
    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Burlington, ON; Jean Graham
    1996 7 Jan
    199-
    The passing of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Mary Zabolotny McCulloch (b. 9 November 1918 in The Pas, MN). As a single woman she had fulfilled the difficult goal for the Ten Year Crusade in Anticosti because the entire territory was under the control of the Wayagamack Pulp and Paper Company and residence on the island would necessitate employment by that company. She was only able to stay for a few months but nonetheless won the accolade. She visited the island on three occasions in later years.

    She married Ken McCulloh in 1958 and they settled in Baker Lake in 1958 where Ken had been pioneering. They stayed until 1979 [BWIM277]

  • Find a Grave
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Baker Lake, NU; Mary Zabolotny McCulloch; The Pas, MB; Winnipeg, MB
    1993 3 Oct
    199-
    The passing of Lucille Sanche Maloney (b. 29 December 1924 Montreal) in Pointe-Claire, QC. Lucille became a Bahá'í in January 1968 and was among the first French-Canadians to do so.

    She first heard of the Faith from an article in Ebony magazine titled Bahá'í: A way of life for millons p48-56.

    Her biography A Light in All Our Lives was written by her daughter Suzanne Maloney Lebensold.

    - In Memoriam; Ebony magazine; French Canadian; Lucille Maloney; Pointe-Claire, QC; Suzanne Maloney
    1982 20 Jan
    198-
    The passing of Mabel Harriet Pine (b. 1882 Bristol, England) in the Norword Auxiliary Hospital in Edmonton. [Bahá'í Canada Vol 4 No3 July/Aug 1982 p46]

    As a young woman born into a privileged class she was a suffragette and a reformer. She worked as a nursemaid and governess then moved to Algiers and then Chile. After returning home she decided to emigrate to Canada and lived first in Vancouver and then in Edmonton where she trained as a nurse and married.

  • After loosing one child and almost loosing a second, in 1925 they moved to Armstrong, BC where she first heard of the Faith. They didn't stay long in Armstrong but moved back to Alberta for work. It was while she was visiting England the following year that she stayed with Claudia Coles and became confirmed in the Faith.
  • After living in Scollard, AB (1926-1927) and Vermillion, AB (1928-1941) they moved to Edmonton where they stayed for a year for the education of their daughter, Allison. She joined Mary Fry who had been there since 1940, the first Bahá'ís to live in Edmonton since Esther Rennels (1911-1917). They lived in a few more small towns in Alberta and in 1947 she and her husband separated and she moved back to Edmonton. [OBCC122, 186]
  • In about 1952 she pioneered to Vernon, BC.
  • She moved to Calgary to help form an Assembly in 1953 and left in 1954 to return to Edmonton. [CBN No 56 September 1954 p5]
  • 1975 she was living in New Westminster and her daughter moved her back to Alberta to care for her.
  • In her honour the Edmonton Community has established the Mabel Pine Bahá'í School for the spiritual education of children. [Bahá'í CanadaVol 16 No 1 May 2003 p14]

    [With thanks to Allion Stecyk for her tribute to her mother Mabel Harriet Pine: Unsung Heroine of Canada and to Joan Young for her research assistance.]

  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Allison Stecyk; Armstrong, BC; Calgary, AB; Claudia Stuart Coles; Edmonton, AB; Esther Rennels; Joan Young; Mabel Pine; Mabel Pine; Mary Fry; New Westminster, BC; Scollard, AB; Vermillion, AB; Vernon, BC
    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.

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Halifax, NS; Hamilton, ON; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Moncton, NB; Toronto, ON
    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]
  • She first learned of the Faith from Mason Remey while she was in Paris during her student days.
  • Marion Jack was one of the first to respond to the call of the Divine Plan performing pioneer service in Alaska and teaching in Toronto, Montreal and may other places. She also spent a good deal of time at Green Acre.
  • In 1930 or 1931 she returned to Haifa where she had been in 1908 and following the visit went to Sofia. During the early years there she attended the German summer school and made teaching trips to Vienna and Budapest.
  • She remained at her post until her passing encountering untold hardship due to poor health, the lack of money, the privations of the war and the subsequent communist rule.
  • See the Guardian's tribute dated the 29th of March. [CBN No52 May 1954 p1]
  • She was buried in the British Cemetery in Sofia. [CBN No 54 July 1954 p1]
  • A tribute to her was published as an insert to CBN No 63 April 1963.
  • See CBN October 1979 for tributes as well as a photo of her gravesite.
  • For her biography see Never Be Afraid to Dare by Jan Teofil Jasion published by George Ronald, 2001.
  • See also Marion Jack: Immortal Heroine by Jan Jasion.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; - Pioneers; Jan Teofil Jasion; Marion Jack; Sofia, Bulgaria
    1966 12 Oct
    196-
    The passing of Nosrat Mehdi Firoozi in Geneva, NY. Born in Iran he emigrated to the United States in 1924. Mehdi was a frequent visitor to Canada, often called upon as a lecturer at summer schools and conferences. [Democrat & Chronicle 13OCT1966] - Biography; Geneva, NY; Mehdi Firoozi; Travel teaching
    1996 13 Jul
    199-
    The passing of Novella Rose Hyde at home in Courtney. She was buried at the Courtenay Civic Cemetery. Novella was the wife of Eric Hyde and the mother of Karyne, Sharle and Valery. [Comox Valley Obituaries 1986-2008]
  • Novella was the daughter-in-law of Maisie Hyde who enrolled in the Faith in 1936.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Comox, BC; Novella Hyde
    1989 (In the year)
    198-
    The passing of Roberta (Bobbie) Mary Millay Cowan, (b, 1915). She was buried in the Mount View Cemetery in Invermere, BC. [Find a grave] - Biography; - In Memoriam; Bobbie Cowan; Invermere, BC
    1993 10 Apr
    199-
    The passing of Roger White, writer, editor and "poet laureate" of the Bahá'í community, in Richmond, British Columbia (b. in Toronto on 2 June 1929).
  • Roger served at the World Centre for some twenty years as a secretary and as manager of the publishing department when many important new volumes were published. Under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice, he was responsible for compiling and publishing volumes XIV to XIX of The Bahá'í World, as well as editing the invaluable compendium of volumes I to XII, published in 1981.
  • He published, at his own expense, a book of poetry called Summer Window for which he did the drawing on the front cover.
  • Another Song, Another Season (1979), The Witness of Pebbles (1981) and a tender and eloquent novel which presented a semi-fictionalized account of the early days of the Bahá'í Faith in Paris, A Sudden Music, was also published by George Ronald in 1983.
  • This was followed by a biographical tribute to the poet Emily Dickinson in the form of more than 100 poems: One Bird, One Cage, One Flight (Naturegraph, 1983).
  • A short, historical account of the martyrdom of 'Alí-Asghár of Yazd entitled The Shell and the Pearl was published by George Ronald in 1984.
  • Occasions of Grace (George Ronald, 1992) was published after he retired from service in Haifa in 1991 following a major heart surgery.
  • He returned to Canada and was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly after.
  • His last two collected works of poetry were Notes Postmarked the Mountain of God (New Leaf, 1992) and The Language of There (New Leaf, 1992).
  • He also completed the text for Raghu Rai's photographic celebration of the Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi, Forever in Bloom. [Bahá'í Studies Review, Vol7, 1997]
  • See Bahá'í World 1994-95 pg249 for an article by Anne Boyles entitled "The Language of the Heart: Arts in the Bahá'í World Community" for mention of Roger White.
  • See The Journal of Bahá'í Studies Vol. 26 no 1-2, 2016 p91 "Reflections on the Art of My Poetry" by John Hatcher. It is based on a telephone interview with him shortly before his passing.
  • For Roger White's obituary see BW92-93p276.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Richmond, BC; Roger White
    1980 20 Feb
    198-
    The passing of Rosemary Sala (b. Mary Gillies Glasgow, Scotland 1906) at her pioneer post in Guadalajara, Mexico. She was a member of the Montreal Youth Group in the early years of the Faith and a member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Canada as well as the Regional Assembly of South and West Africa. She and her husband Emeric pioneered to South Africa, Venezuela and Mexico and travelled throughout America, China, India and Europe. [TG211; Bahá'ís of Canada; BW18 p713]
  • See her essay Beyond the Fog in World Order Vol2 Issue 2 p458-461.
  • Her biography and that of her husband Emeric, Tending the Garden was written by her niece Ilona Sala Weinstein and published by One Voice Press, Essex, MD. This publication is also available in the e-book format.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Emeric Sala; Guadalajara, Mexico; Ilona Weinstein; Mexico; Rosemary Sala
    1996 10 Jan
    199-
    The passing of Ruth Eyford in St. Albert, AB. (b. Ruth Monk 12 June, 1930, NS). [Find a grave]

    She became a Bahá'í in Montreal in 1956 and married Glen Eyford in 1957. She and Glen served in Iceland and in India. Returning to Canada she served as an Auxiliary Board Member and as chair of the National Spiritual Assembly as well as a number of local and national committees. [BW1995-1996p313]

    - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; - Pioneers; Auxiliary board members; Canada; Iceland; India; Montreal, QC; Ruth Eyford; St. Albert, AB
    1989 22 Aug
    198-
    The passing of Sam Bald Eagle Augustine, (Sam Gitpu), (b. Big Cove, New Brunswick on November 3, 1923) a member of the Mi'Kmaq First Nations.

    While enduring a lengthy illness he made a series of recordings called "Talks from the Heart"which he hoped would spread the Message of Baha'u'llah, not only to other Native people, but to the world. [IndigenousBahais.com]

  • Some of his talks from, Bahá'í Talks from the Hearts can be heard at Welcome Bahá'í MP3.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Big Cove, NB; Mikmaq First Nations, Canada; Sam Bald Eagle Augustine; Sam Gitpu
    1985 28 Apr
    198-
    The passing of Samson Knowlton in his eighty-third year. Samson and his wife Rosie, who died in 1981, were among the first six members of the Piikani First Nation (Peigan Reserve), one of the three branches of the Blackfoot tribe, to proclaim their faith in Baha'u'llah. Their acceptance of the Faith in 1958 resulted from a visit to southern Alberta of the Hand of the Cause John Robarts. The Knowltons quickly became effective Bahá'í teachers, assisting in the formation in April 1961 of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the Peigan Reserve.
    • Samson was also a member of the Band Council, and was instrumental in the passing of a resolution to permit Bahá'ís to visit and teach the Faith on the Peigan Reserve. He made many teaching trips throughout North America, fostering a spirit of harmony between native and non—native communities.
    • In 1960, Samson accompanied Canada's first native Senator, James Gladstone, a Blood Indian, to Ottawa to present to the federal Government a proposal urging it to extend to native people the right to vote in federal elections. (Note: On 31 March 1960, portions of Section 14(2) of the Canada Elections Act were repealed in order to grant the federal vote to status Indians. First Nations people could now vote without losing their Indian status.) He was also instrumental in having eliminated the 'permit system' which prevented First Nations people from leaving the reserve. [BW19p668-669] iiiii
    • Rosie's Guest Book from 1960 to 1965 included the following names: Hasan Balyuzi, Agnes Harrison, Doug Crawford, Angus Cowan, Reg Wilson, Dorothy Francis, Harvey Iron Eagle, Henry Keg, Douglas Martin, Peggy Ross & many more. Other visitors were Ruhiyyih Khanum (21 May 1961) and Hooper Dunbar 24 July 1962). [The Distance Traversed a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022. Please note that the link has been suspended pending permission from the authors.]
    • See In Memoriam: Rosie Knowlton.
    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Piikani First Nation, AB; Rose Knowlton; Samson Knowlton
    1979 2 Oct
    197-
    The passing of Thomas Peigan, one of Canada's early native believers. He was known for his devotion and steadfastness. [CBNOct1979] - Biography; - In Memoriam; Piikani First Nation, AB; Thomas Peigan
    1988 18 Jan
    198-
    The passing of Tlingit elder Johnnie Johns (b. 10 July 1898 at Tagish, YT). He was a member of the Crow clan of the Dieshheetaan house. His Tlingit name was Yeil Shaan which means "Old Crow". He became a Bahá'í in 1968 following the example of his brother Peter.

    Following his enrollment, he travelled to Southeast Alaska to teach the Faith. Later, he travelled with Don MacLaren throughout the Yukon to present a Bahá'í brief on Human Rights to all the Chiefs of the Yukon. During his travels, which included a trip to the Philippines along with his daughter Hazel and niece Clara Shinkel, he was able to present the Faith on the radio.

    He attended the first native council held in Haines, Alaska and was instrumental in the decision made by the Elders at Carcross to pursue the building of a native teaching institute. Hand of the Cause John Robarts and Uncle Johnnie turned the sod for the construction of the Yukon Bahá'í Institute in 1983. Uncle Johnnie participated at the Dedication of the Institute and the naming ceremony for Hand of the Cause John Robarts which was held during the potlatch. His leadership and counsel will be dearly missed by all his Bahá'í family. "The circle is completed". [BC Vol 1 No 1 March 1988 p15]

    See "Remembering Uncle Johnnie". [BC Vol 1 No 1 March 1988 p24]

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; Johnnie Johns; Tagish; Whitehorse, YT
    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.
    • He is believed to be the third French-Canadian to become a Bahá'í outside of Canada. [OCBB94]
    • He gave an address to the National Convention at the Hotel McAlpine on the 28th of April, 1919 entitled The Oneness of the World of Humanity. [SoW Vol 10 May 17, 1919 No 4 p58] "This talk 'sounded so French-Canadian' that later francophone believers could still be moved to tears in reading its text." [OCBB94]
    • He received widespread publicity for his opening of bread lines in New York (The Stepping Stone) and for "auctions" of the jobless to employers in New York and Boston during the Depression of 1921. He was received by President Warren Harding shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C. in September 1921. Ledoux spent a little over three months in Washington, D.C. 1921-22 campaigning for a public works program funded by a tax on companies that made excessive war profits during World War I. His tactics included setting up a hotel housing the unemployed on Pennsylvania Avenue, an auction of the jobless, speaking before the unemployment conference, calling for the arrest of international arms conference delegates. He walked around the city carrying a white umbrella, a lighted lantern and a Bible or a copy of the Sermon on the Mount saying he was like Diogenes searching for an honest man.
    • Urbain Ledoux is shown in Boston in 1921 auctioning off an unemployed man. He conducted these auctions in New York and Boston in order to garner publicity for the plight of the unemployed and to find work for the jobless. He called himself "Mr. Zero" because he said he didn't want any publicity for himself.
    • "Mr. Zero" returned to Washington in 1932 with the Bonus Expeditionary Force, leading an unauthorized march on the White House July 16, 1932 that resulted in his arrest along with two others. The march frightened President Herbert Hoover who set in motion the eviction of the bonus marchers from the city—a move that backfired on Hoover and helped to cement his reputation as someone uncaring about the plight of the nation's unemployed. Photos.
    • Find a grave.
    • His obituary in the New York Times April 10th 1941.
    • He is reported to have "rescued" 85 year-old Sarah Farmer in Portsmouth where she was being held in a sanatorium against her will. [Boston Post 4 August 1916]
    • See a story from Ephemeral New York.
    • There is a short description of Urbain LeDoux in He Loved and Served: The Story of Curtis Kelsey p 33-34.
    - Biography; Boston, MA; French Canadian; New York, USA; Social action; Ste Helene de Bagot, QC; Urbain Ledoux (Mr Zero); Washington, DC, USA
    1996 16 Jan
    199-
    The passing of Vivien Combe (b. 23 June 1903 in Lee, Surry, UK) in Victoria.
  • Her unpublished biography, The Story of Vivien, was written by Guy Barcley.
  • - In Memoriam; Vivien Combe
    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 schools were held at what become to be the Sylvan Lake Baha'i Centre. [CBN No19 April 1951 p13] Banff, AB; Summer schools
    1993 Ridván
    199-
    The Processes of the Three Year Plan 1993-1996

    1. Enhancement of the vitality of the faith of individual believers.
    2. Development of the human resources of the Cause.
    3. Fostering the proper functioning of local and national institutions.
    * Teaching Plans; Three Year Plan

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