Chicago’s Baha’i Temple and Gardens
Have you had the experience of living practically down the street from a major attraction that you never visit, apparently because it’s just down the street? That’s how it’s been with Judy and I and Chicago’s Baha’i Temple, one of only seven in the world.
Technically, the Temple is in Wilmette, a suburb just north of Evanston, where we live. And we had in fact visited it in February a couple of years ago. Nothing was in bloom, of course, but they say winter is a good time to see a garden’s bones.
Although in this case, we couldn’t pay much attention to the bones because we were trying to stave off hypothermia. But ever since then we have been meaning to visit the Baha’i Temple when the weather was more reasonable. This past weekend, we finally did.
The Baha’i religion was begun in Iran around 1850. Its theology is built on the concepts of “the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity, and the oneness of religions”, according to the Temple website. Baha’i believe in tolerance, universal education, and equal rights for women. Alcohol is prohibited, though, in case you consider that a deal-breaker.
The Temple was begun in 1912 and not completed until 1953, largely because only funds from adherents could be used for its construction.
The nine-sided building reflects the ecumenical spirit of the religion. There seem to be influences both Arabic and Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance.
On columns suggestive of minarets, symbols of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are carved.
Further up the column there seems to be a carving of a cathedral, complete with rose window.
Each of the nine sides of the Temple has it’s own distinct garden. All of the gardens are surrounded by an outer walk lined with cedar, crabapple, magnolia, and other trees and shrubs.
The gardens here, I’ve been told, are influenced by Persian paradise gardens. Paradise gardens were enclosed, and each of the nine gardens at the Baha’i Temple are kept private from one another (though not from the Temple itself) with hedges of cedar and other woody plants.
In an arid country, one could not imagine paradise without lots of water. Each of the nine gardens at the Baha’i temple has its own fountain, and water also flows through two rectangular pools on either side of the Temple.
The gardens here are fairly formal: boxwood hedges, geometric shapes, and a limited palette of massed annuals and perennials. Paradise gardens were meant to be calm and orderly, not wild.
You don’t get swept away with the exuberance of the plantings. On the other hand, they do not seem overly restrained. The simple plant combinations can create blocks of color that are quietly joyful.
Some of the gardens seem planted with a theme in mind. For example, a garden of fragrant roses, thyme, and ornamental oregano.
There was also a garden of North American natives – coneflowers, anise hyssop, swamp milkweed, bee balm, and little bluestem among others.
Apparently these are gardens for strolling, not sitting. There are no benches, though you can sit on the walls of the raised beds.
Each of the gardens are separated by a stretch of lawn set at a higher elevation, so to move from garden to garden (unless you go by the outer walk) you must ascend and then descend a handful of stairs.
There are seven million Baha’i in the world, about 150,000 in the United States. Adherents are still subject to severe persecution in Iran and some other countries.
In the spring the gardens here are full of tulips and flowering crabapple. We intend to come back to see for ourselves.
I enjoyed the flowers at the Baha’i Temple. However, it is the tranquility and sense of reverence (whatever your religious beliefs) that comes from the combination of enclosure and open space in the shadow of the Temple that makes this a place very much worth seeing.
gardeninacity 
That was a fun post, Thanks for sharing. I think I may have liked the architecture more than the gardens!
The architecture is certainly striking.
I would definitely like to see this one! The architecture alone is amazing! I was laughing out loud when you talked about ” trying to stave off hypothermia” Ha…so true! I am so glad you both got the chance to view this garden as it has many beautiful components. I really like the raised bed with the hydrangeas in the background…what was the purple flower in front of them? Really a beautiful escape that makes you feel as though you aren’t in Chicago. Thanks for sharing! Adding it to my list! Have a great week Jason! Nicole
The purple flower is ornamental oregano – a great pollinator plant.
I really like the peaceful gardens and beauty of the architecture. Would be a nice place to see in person. Hope you will share some spring views if you return.
I’ll try to remember.
Fascinating! I’d love to see this garden. Long, long ago, I knew an artist who converted to B’hai, and when he talked about it, I felt the attraction. If anyone understands unity, truly, it’s a gardener.
Good point!
Hello Jason, the temple is so intricately carved, every last surface has been used, it looks stunning. The gardens look like a more “modern” style of formal (can’t think of a better way to put it) but they complement the building very well.
I think modern formal is a good way to describe the gardens
Wow! An amazing temple it looks like a wedding cake. I love all the lacy carving.
The gardens are very tranquil, it is lovely how they have several enclosed gardens, each with a different feel to it.
I wonder why they don’ t have seating.
Someone who is a member of the Temple contacted me to say that the walls of the raised beds are meant to be used as benches.
What? No benches/chairs?!? (I need to read re. the significance of 9 sides/9 gardens, etc. Nine major religions?)
I was wondering about the significance of nine sides, but was unable to find anything out.
Nine is the highest single digit and represents unity and completion. Nine is also the numerical value of the Arabic word “Bahá” (glory, light, or splendor).
Aha, thank you!
What a wonderful place to visit – beautiful architecture, gardens, water features, tranquility. Beautiful.
Yes, I’m glad I finally got there.
Looks as if it should be in India rather than Chicago! I wasn’t sure how I felt about the gardens, I’d imagined something much more calm and restrained. Chicago is definitely a really interesting city to live in Jason.
Really? I thought it WAS restrained. I guess we have different standards for restraint.
What an interesting and beautiful post. All places of worship should have gardens, methinks.
I second that.
Thanks for the reminder about the Baha’i Temple. Weather permitting, we are going to see it and the Botanic Garden this weekend.
Ah! Special occasion or just taking advantage of the last days of summer?
Looks peaceful there. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome.
Wow. Our word paradise originally comes from Iran and I believe it meant a walled garden. Like one of your commenters, I also have friends who practice Baha’i and our neighbourhood has a lantern walk each spring that they host. These expressions of faith (gardens, architecture, light, hope) can be appreciated even by someone like myself who doesn’t participate in organized religion. This was a real treat to see.
That was my feeling exactly.
Thanks for visiting and posting this great (and accurate) synopsis! Those little walls are actually benches, created precisely for sitting in the gardens to meditate or enjoy the flowers. 🙂 (fellow resident of Wilmette and member of the Baha’i Faith)
I’m relieved it was accurate! I guess wikipedia can be useful after all. Actually I did look at some of the websites associated with the Baha’i Temple. Incidentally, I liven in Evanston not Wilmette – but we’re still practically neighbors.
I like the idea of there being no formal seating and being allowed to sit on the walls in amongst the plants. I can’t think of a time when I have sat on a bench in a public garden, I rarely sit in my own and prefer to perch with a cup of tea on the wall. The gardens are peaceful and the architecture completely ornate, looks an interesting place and an opportunity to understand others.
The architecture was ornate and also fascinating.
I was just there two weeks ago. Great place to visit, great setting. So nice to see it published on your Blog. Jack
Thanks for dropping by, Jack.
I’m thinking I’ve been on the outside, but am not sure I have ever been inside of the temple. And always thinking about it whenever I drive by, which has not been lately. Thanks for reminding me of this destination. 🙂
I feel like I’ve driven past a million times before we finally went to see it.
what a beautiful building that is ! and that garden !!!!!
Exactly.
I think you should visit this place a lot or anyway I think I would if it were nearby. So pretty and so different. It’s like traveling to a foreign place. I love the carving and appreciate your explanations of its meaning.
It’s true, it does seem like something you would see in a foreign country.
That’s quite a building. I wonder who keeps that brick walk so weed free. It looks like it was just installed.
It’s immaculately maintained, not sure how they do it.
It really is a beautiful structure, very ornate. The gardens are lovely as well. Nice photos, Judy.
It is ornate, I like all the intricate carvings – reminds me of a medieval cathedral like Chartres.
No seats…. that’s odd. What a fascinating building though, and to me any garden is better than another parking lot. Interesting to hear about a religion I never really knew much about, thanks.
It’s too bad that most houses of worship give barely a thought to their landscaping.
We’ve seen it many times from a distance and I’ve always wanted to visit. My husband went to school at Northwestern and visited the grounds several times. He said the building was quite impressive, but he seems a little more vague about the gardens. From your post, it looks very pleasant, but it’s too bad they don’t have a few benches here and there. Thanks for the tour.
You’re welcome. Apparently the walls of the raised beds are considered benches, and people are supposed to sit there.
What a stunning place! You can imagine the work that went into the intricate carvings on the temple, and the gardens are just beautiful.
Well, it did take 40 years to build.
Thanks for sharing that with us. It is gorgeous! I like the mass planting of the pink cannas. The building itself, too, oh my, what craftmanship! I look forward to seeing your future post of its springtime flowers.
I like that mass planting also, and I’m usually not that fond of cannas or pink – but somehow that garden works for me.
I really enjoyed this, what a stunning building, I must find out more. Beautiful gardens too. A very interesting post and to think it’s on your doorstep.xxx
So interesting! I understand the just down the road (but I haven’t been there) predicament. This summer I plan to walk the Thousand Islands Bridge because I drive over it practically every day to work! I’m going to do it! I love this post – I have never heard of these temples and love learning about the philosophy behind the garden designs.
So glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for the photo tour and all the interesting information!