Baha'i Temple
Also known as: The Temple of Light; The Bahai House of Worship; Bahai Temple
Why it's listed
Rising 191 feet above a bluff on Lake Michigan, this white domed house of worship in Wilmette, Illinois, sits at the center of a six-acre tract. Its circular plan has nine-sided, scalloped facades, towers at the cusps, and a concrete platform 202 feet across. Every surface carries delicate precast designs in quartz-aggregate white concrete. Inside, a single auditorium seats 1,200 beneath a hemispherical dome, with nine alcoves between entries. Nine gardens with pools and fountains surround it. Architect Louis Jean Bourgeois exhibited his design as a model in 1919, and it was chosen in competition in 1920. Foundations began in 1921, the superstructure contract came in 1930, and ornamentation began in 1932. Construction paused repeatedly because funds came only from donations by members of the Baha'i Faith. It was dedicated in 1953. The nomination values its blend of echoes of earlier styles into a distinct whole, its structural approach, and its standing as the first Baha'i House of Worship in the Western hemisphere.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Temple is architecturally unique, a new style that suggests many past styles without copying them. It also illustrates the separation of structure from ornament advocated by John J. Early, using precast quartz-aggregate concrete. It is the first Baha'i House of Worship in the Western hemisphere.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78001140, listed May 23, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 100 Linden Ave., Wilmette |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | May 23, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78001140 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Louis Jean Bourgeois (primary architect); Albert Shaw of Shaw, Metz and Dolio (interior detailing); George A. Fuller Co. (superstructure); John J. Early Studio (ornamentation) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Form lists the property as occupied, in religious use. |
| Acreage | 6.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.07425, -87.68414 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78001140.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4843063
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.