- 1949-06-19 — 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] - 1952-05-14 — 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] - 1952-08-00 — 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]
- 1952-09-25 —
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.
- 1952-12-00 — 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]
- 1953-01-00 — 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]
- 1953-04-21 —
- 1953-05-00 — The Hazira Committee was replaced by The Hazira and Temple Committee. [CBN No 41 June 1953 p2]
- 1953-06-28 — 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]
- 1953-10-00 —
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]
- 1953-11-07 — 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]
- 1954-01-00 — 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]
- 1954-02-06 — 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]
- 1955-05-14 — 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]
- 1955-06-17 — 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]
- 1955-07-00 — 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]
- 1955-08-26 — 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]
- 1955-09-00 — 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] - 1955-10-01 — 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]
- 1955-11-25 — 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]
- 1956-01-07 — A full report on progress on incorporations and Hazira and Temple Grounds was sent the Guardian at his request. [CBN No74 Mar 1956 p2]
- 1956-02-25 — 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.
- 1956-05-10 —
The property at 274 Huron Street was acquired for a Haziratu'l-Quds at a cost of $48,000. When this goal was given to Canada in 1953 the Guardian contributed £2,000 towards this undertaking and donations were made by the National Spiritual Assemblies of the British Isles and of Germany. Further donation came from Canadian believers and from the estate of Hand of the Cause Fred Schopflocher. [CBN No 77 June, 1956 p4-5; CBN No 78 July, 1956 p1]
- See [MtC198-199] for a photo.
- 1956-09-30 —
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]
- 1957-02-22 — 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]
- 1957-04-26 —
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]
- 1957-05-00 —
The site of the National Hazírratu'l-Quds at 274 Huron Street was expropriated by the University of Toronto. The property was included in the 26 acres taken over in December for the expansion of the campus. The University advised that they will not require the property for some time and that we may rent the building , possibly for several years. [UC66; CBN No 87 April 1957 p3; CBN No 91 Aug 1957 p8; MtC262]
- An Hazira Location Committee was set up consisting of George Spendlove, George Smith, Alice Hall and Marjory Merrick. [CBN No 87 April 1957 p1]
- 1957-07-00 — 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]
- 1957-10-01 — 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. - 1965-02-25 — 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.
- 1969-02-00 —
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.
- 1975-09-07 — The official opening of the National Centre at 7200 Leslie Street in Thornhill Ontario. [from an invitation to the event]
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