What to expect
The Bahá’í Shrine was originally designed by William Sutherland Maxwell to be his family home. It is regarded as a Shrine because of its association with the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Montréal in 1912. The building has been restored to its original condition, circa 1912, and the interior retains much of the home’s original furnishings from the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit.
Learn more about the significance of the Shrine
A place of prayer and meditation
The Bahá’í Shrine is a place for prayer and meditation. Visitors are invited to enter the Shrine in a manner that will preserve this purpose and contribute to the devotional environment. The whole building is considered a sacred place, and visitors are free to move around the house to find a place to pray or meditate. The upper floor includes the room where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed during His visit and visitors often choose to sit in this room in quiet prayer and contemplation during their visit to the Shrine. Bahá’í prayer books are available to visitors on the upper floor.
Parents of small children are asked to consider arrangements that will allow their family visit to maintain the devotional environment of the Shrine.
Beginning the visit
Visitors are first welcomed to a reception area on the lower level of the Shrine. This entrance is accessible by taking the stairs to the left of the building down to the lower floor. In the reception area visitors will find basic amenities and refreshments to provide for their comfort. Visitors can access the ground floor of the Shrine from the lower level of the Shrine.
Accessibility
Some of the historical aspects of the Shrine, including its staircases, have been preserved and may pose difficulty to some visitors with limited mobility. However, areas for prayer and contemplation are still available on the first floor of the Shrine with access to the street. Visitors with limited mobility may wish to call or email the Shrine ahead of time with specific questions about their needs.