Baha’i Community of Winnipeg

Founded a century and a half ago, the Bahá’í Faith is today among the fastest-growing of the world’s religions. With more than five million followers, who reside in virtually every nation on earth, it is the second-most widespread faith, surpassing every religion but Christianity in its geographic reach. Bahá’ís reside in more than 100,000 localities around the world, an expansion that reflects their dedication to the ideal of world citizenship.

The Bahá’í Faith’s global scope is mirrored in the composition of its membership. Representing a cross section of humanity, Bahá’ís come from virtually every nation, ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic class. More than 2,100 different ethnic and tribal groups are represented.

Since it also forms a single community, free of schism or factions, the Bahá’í Faith comprises what is very likely the most diverse and widespread organized body of people on earth.

The Faith’s Founder was Bahá’u’lláh, a Persian nobleman from Tehran who, in the mid-nineteenth century, left a life of princely comfort and security and, in the face of intense persecution and deprivation, brought to humanity a stirring new message of peace and unity.

Bahá’u’lláh claimed to be nothing less than a new and independent Messenger from God. His life, work, and influence parallel that of Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ, and Muhammad. Bahá’ís view Bahá’u’lláh as the most recent in this succession of divine Messengers.

The Baha’i Faith was first established in Winnipeg in May of 1939 by Rowland Estall, a Baha’i from Montreal, who moved here specifically for that purpose. The first Baha’i Spiritual Assembly in Winnipeg was elected in 1942. This was the eighth such Local Baha’i Assembly elected in Canada at that time. In 1955 the Winnipeg Spiritual Assembly became incorporated signifying its recognition by the Province as a legal entity before the law.

Baha’u’llah has proclaimed that “the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens”. The Baha’i community here exemplifies that oneness in the diversity of its population with over thirty-five nationalities and ethnic groups being represented in its membership. This community gathers to meet in the homes of individual members throughout the city and at the Winnipeg Baha’i Centre, 521 McMillan Avenue.

The Baha’is of Winnipeg meet regularly to consult about the affairs of the Faith, to celebrate its 9 Holy Days throughout the year and especially to participate in a core of activities specifically designed to build communities that are to be the foundation of an ever advancing civilization.

These main core activities are study circles, devotional gatherings, junior youth groups and children’s classes and are described in detail under the accompanying headings. You are warmly welcomed to join the Baha’i community in these civilization building endeavours.