Bahá'í House of Worship for the North American Continent

The North American Baháʼí House of Worship features a nine-sided structure with detailed concrete work and intricate carvings representing different religious symbols throughout its design.

Construction of the temple began in the 1920s but faced delays due to the Great Depression and World War II before its completion and dedication in 1953.

The temple incorporates architectural elements from various religious traditions, including neoclassical symmetry, Gothic ribbing, Renaissance dome, Romanesque clerestory, and Islamic arabesque patterns.

Located at 100 Linden Avenue, the temple maintains open hours for visitors, offering free admission and guided tours of the building and surrounding gardens.

During World War II, pilots from Glenview Air Station used the temple's structure as a navigation point over Lake Michigan, referring to it as Point Oboe.

Location: Wilmette

Architects: Louis Bourgeois

Official opening: May 2, 1953

Website: https://bahai.us/bahai-temple

GPS coordinates: 42.07444,-87.68444

Latest update: November 19, 2025 14:15