“…. a haven for the deepest contemplation on spiritual reality and foundational questions of life.”
The Baha’i Writings
Auditorium
The Temple Auditorium is open every day:
Winter: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Oct. 1 – Mar. 19
Note: The gardens are closed during winter.
Summer: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Mar. 20 – Sept. 30
Daily Devotional Programs: Brief programs of prayers and readings (about 15 minutes) are shared in the Auditorium at the following times:
- Daily at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- On Sundays at 12:30 p.m. the program is about 30 minutes and includes a capella singing and a written program on a particular theme. Afterwards, everyone is invited to a group discussion on the theme of that day’s program.
Programas Devocionales en Español
1er domingo de cada mes a las 2:00 p.m. en el Auditorio del templo
Seguida por una presentación en Español sobre la Fe Bahá’í a las 2:30 p.m. en el Centro de Bienvenida
Welcome Center
The Welcome Center is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Welcome Center Bookshop is open every day:
- Wednesday: 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- All other days: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We regret that restrooms are not available on the House of Worship property when the Welcome Center is closed.
Upcoming Event
REGULARLY HELD PROGRAMS:
Daily Devotional Programs: Every day at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., prayers are read aloud at the lectern inside the Temple for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Sunday Devotional Program: A devotional program is held every Sunday on a particular theme, with a written program to follow along. It includes a cappella music from either the House of Worship choir or soloists. Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday Discussion on Sacred Writings: Immediately following the 12:30 p.m. Devotional Program on Sundays, everyone is invited to a group discussion on the theme of that day’s program. Sundays: 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (See the back of the program for the discussion location.)
Friday Conversations Exploring the Baha’i Faith: Join in an informal “Fireside” discussion: Fridays: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Welcome Center.
Monthly Meditation Sessions: First Wednesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Meet in the Welcome Center at 7:00 p.m. for brief discussion then meditate quietly in the Temple for about 45 minutes, followed by brief discussion. More information at Eventbrite.
UPCOMING HOLY DAY AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
Nothing but a Change of Heart – Sat. Feb. 22, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – celebrating themes of Oneness woven throughout the origin story of the 1st Race Amity Conference, which was held in 1921 by the Baha’i community. This journey will include poetry, Baha’i Writings, intimate story sharing and music. Learn more
Ayyam-i-Ha Festival – Sun. Feb. 23, – 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Ayyam-i-Ha is a period of time in the Baha’i calendar dedicated to fellowship, generosity, service, and JOY! Everyone is welcome to attend. Learn more.
Community Building and Race Awareness on the Northshore – Sat. March 1, – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will highlight and celebrate the impact of local social justice activists, voluntary workers serving others, and institution building of local religious groups, community groups, social clubs and organizations and individuals. Learn more.
Naw Rúz – Thur. March 20, – 12:30 p.m. Devotional program in the Temple Auditorium.
First Day of Ridvan – Sun. April 20, 2025 – 4:00 p.m. Devotional program in the Temple Auditorium.
Ninth Day of Ridvan – Mon. April 28, 2025 – 12:30 p.m. Devotional program in the Temple Auditorium.
Twelfth Day of Ridvan – Thur. May 1, 2025 – 12:30 p.m. Devotional program in the Temple Auditorium.
__________________________
Sign up for the House of Worship eNewsletter.
Visit our Facebook page
There is no clergy in the Baha’i Faith and no sermons or speeches are given in the Auditorium. Excerpts from scripture are pre-selected by the House of Worship staff and read aloud by local community members.
The Baha’i Faith teaches that every individual can investigate religious and spiritual truth. During your visit, you are free to explore the Baha’i Faith’s unifying teachings, including the oneness of humanity, the common threads among all major religions, and the connection between the human spirit and the betterment of the world.
Welcome Center
The Welcome Center is located just west of the Temple on Linden Avenue. At the Welcome Center you may explore the history of the Temple and the early American Bahá’ís, watch a short film, visit the bookshop, and connect with volunteer guides and staff.
Along the Linden Avenue side of the Temple, the Welcome Center provides a serene starting point. This tranquil space serves as a transitional area, inviting you to learn, orient, and reset before entering the gardens and temple. Open to all, it offers a peaceful environment for individual prayer, meditation, contemplation, and reflection. Here, you can take a moment to center yourself and prepare for the deeper spiritual experience that awaits within the Temple’s embrace.
Explore More
The Fireside Room
This room, located in the visitors center, is a place to relax and prepare yourself before exploring the temple or a relaxing space to explore spiritual conversations with the other guest and temple guides.
Visitor Guidelines in this Sacred Space
Visitors guidelines: Shoes and shirts are required. Modest dress is recommended. Guide dogs and other service dogs are the only animals permitted. Please secure bicycles to the racks provided before entering the grounds.
Photography guidelines: Personal, informal photography is welcome in the Bahá’í House of Worship gardens. However, large group and formal photo shoots are no longer allowed in the gardens and photography of any kind is not permitted in the Temple Auditorium. There are two beautiful outer gardens where photo shoots can occur. (see more details). (see more details)
