Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada

World Canada
any   all   exact phrase

Date 194-, descending — sort earliest first

date event tags firsts
1949 8 Oct
194-		 Margaret Reid of Toronto re-located to St. John's becoming the first Bahá'í pioneer to that province. [BN No 227 January 1950 106BE p5] Pioneering; Margaret Reid; St. Johns, NL
1949 11 Aug
194-		 The first public meeting ever held in Quebec City with Mrs. Hilda Yen Male as the speaker. Publicity was obtained in four newspapers, and a radio inter· view was arranged during which direct questions about the Faith were asked. [BN No 226 December 1949 106BE p9] Proclamation; Hilda Yen; Québec City, QC first public meeting in Québec City
1949 19 Jun
194-		 Shoghi Effendi, in a letter to the new National Spiritual Assembly made first mention of a Hazlratu'l-Quds and a Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in Canada when he wrote:
    "The development of the local and national Funds must be continuously maintained as a prelude to the establishment of local and national endowments and the ultimate erection of a House of Worship that will incarnate the soul of a flourishing nation-wide community." [MtC114]
 Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship)
1949 12 Jun
194-		 The tenth Annual International Picnic held at Queenston with 250 attending. Visitors from the United States, India, Trinidad, Barbadoes, and England were present to hear talks by Mrs. Edith MacLaren aod John Howe. [BN No 224 October 1949 p10] International Bahá'í Picnic; Edith MacLaren; John Howe; Queenston Heights, ON
1949 May
194-		 The annual budget for 106B.E. was set at $15,000. [CBN 14 July 1950 p2] Annual budget
1949 30 Apr
194-		 The Bill to incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada was passed by both Houses of the Canadian Parliament, and given Royal assent. The act established the name, named the officers as directors, stated the location of the headquarters, defined the objectives, gave it the right to manage the affairs of the Bahá'ís, to make by-laws and to hold property. It was used as a model for registration/incorporation in other states.

  • The pdf for the Act can be found here.
  • The National Spiritual Assembly members at that time were John Aldham Robarts, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, manager; Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Dame Laura Romney Davis, wife of Victor Davis of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; Siegfried Schopflocher, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Rowland Ardouin Estall, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, insurance broker; Ross Greig Woodman, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, lecturer; Lloyd George Gardner, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, wholesaler; and Dame Doris Cecilia Richardson, wife of J. P. Richardson, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; and Dame Rosemarv Scott Sala, wife of the said Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province Corporate of Quebec.
  • See Shoghi Effendi's letter of 19 June, 1949 for his comments.
      "an event twice hailed by Shoghi Effendi in the documents published here as "a magnificent victory unique in the annals of East and West". [MtCpvii]
    		•  National Spiritual Assembly, incorporation; Recognition (legal); National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Ottawa, ON
    1949 Ridván
    194-    		 The second Canadian Bahá'í National Convention was held in Winnipeg, at Girl Guide House on Osborne Street North. The Winnipeg Bahá'í Community was by then one of seventeen Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada. A Public Congress in association with the Convention was held in the Art Gallery in the Civic Auditorium.

    An address entitled "Consultation - An Adventure in Mature Discussion" was delivered by Elsie Austin. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p6]

    In nine years Winnipeg had gone from a Bahá'í goal to the host of the Bahá'í Community of Canada for its National Convention. At that time it had the highest rate of annual growth in the Bahá'í Community of Canada, suggesting a vitality not found in but few other communities. About one quarter of the new converts between 1937 and 1947 went pioneering. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p20; OBCC207-210]

    		National Convention; Winnipeg, MB the first National Convention in Winnipeg.
    1949 Apr
    194-    		 Find details of the National Convention and election.

    An address entitled "Consultation - An Adventure in Mature Discussion" was delivered by Elsie Austin. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p6]

    		 National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Elsie Austin
    1949 Jan (Late)
    194-    		 Jim and Melba Loft and their children, Sam, Arthur and Evelyn returned to Tyendinaga First Nation from Marysville Michigan. [RT43]
  • The first to respond to their teaching was a white couple, Bert and Elizabeth Curtis. [CBN 15 September 1950 p8-9]
  • Later Melba Loft became the first woman ever to he nominated as a candidate for election to the Indian Council (First Nation Council) of the Tyendinaga Reserve (Tyendinaga First Nation). [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]
  • Evelyn Loft was officially commended by the government agent for the honour she has brought to the reserve by her excellent standing at Belleville Collegiate Institute. [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]
    		•  Jim Loft; Melba Loft; Sam Loft; Arthur Loft; Evelyn Loft; Tyendinaga First Nation, ON
    1949 (In the year)
    194-    		 Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed in Calgary and Veron, the 16th and 17th to be established. [CBN No 46 November, 1953 p2] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Calgary, AB; Vernon, BC
    1948 Oct - Jan
    194-    		 When Ottawa was a goal with only five believers, week after week, John Robarts took the Friday night train from Toronto to Ottawa and returned in time for work Monday morning. He rarely addressed public meetings and did not always lead the local fireside but he was there. His intensive effort was directed to this one need, his absorbing and sincerely loving interest in the enquirers, his enthusiasm for the Faith bore fruit and the Ottawa Spiritual Assembly was formed four months after his visits began. He had followed the same personal teaching plan that had be so successful in Hamilton. In neither place did he accomplish the task single-handedly. He was supported by the friends, and he supported them. [CBN No 72 Jan 1956 p4] John Robarts; Teaching; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Ottawa, ON
    1948 7 - 14 Aug
    194-    		 First Baha'i conference held at Franklin Camp. Georgian Bay, Ontario. See photo. [Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh Summer schools; Georgian Bay, ON
    1948 May
    194-    		 James Loft, a Mohawk from near Belleville became a Bahá'í, according to OBCC62, the first Native to enroll.
  • See OBCC62 or RT14 for the story of how he saw 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the window of His passing train in 1912 as He travelled from Montreal to Buffalo.
    		•  James Loft; Jim Loft; Belleville, ON
    1948 Ridván
    194-    		 The newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada launched a Five Year Plan (1948-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]
  • The objective was to expand the Faith into Newfoundland and Greenland. [BBRSM158] Note: Newfoundland (then called Newfoundland and Labradour) did not join Confederation until the 31st of March 1949.

    Should the fire of the love of God be kindled in Greenland, all the ice of that country will be melted, and its cold weather become temperate—that is, if the hearts be touched with the heat of the love of God, that territory will become a divine rose garden and a heavenly paradise, and the souls, even as fruitful trees, will acquire the utmost freshness and beauty. Effort, the utmost effort, is required. Should you display an effort, so that the fragrances of God may be diffused among the Eskimos, its effect will be very great and far-reaching. [TDP28]

    		• - Teaching Plans; Greenland; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
    1948 24 - 25 Apr
    194-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of the Dominion of Canada was established. [BBRSM:186; BW13:856; MBW143; PP397; BW11p20]
  • It was attended by 112 Bahá'ís, 19 of them delegates. The country-wide membership was less than 500. [BC Vol 9 No 8 October 1987 p17]
  • Those elected were: John Robarts (chair), Emeric Sala (vice), Laura Davis (sec'y), Siegfried Schopflocher (tres), Rowland Estall, Lloyd Gardner, Ross Woodman, Rosemary Sala, and Doris Richardson. [BN No 207 May 1948 105BE p3]
  • See BW11:160, 184, Bahá'í Historical Facts for pictures.
  • The first National Convention was held in the Maxwell home (in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's home as will be the election of the Universal House of Justice some 15 years hence.) with 13/19 delegates from all the provinces attending. (Six were unable to attend due to a flood.) Those elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly were: Laura Davis, Rowland Estall, Lloyd Gardner, Doris Richardson, John Robarts, Emeric Sala, Rosemary Sala, Siegfried Schopflocher, and Ross Woodman. [TG110, OBCC269-272]
  • For a picture of the first Canadian National Spiritual Assembly see OBCC148.
  • For Ruhiyyíh Khanum's Message to the first Canadian Convention see BN212 October 1948 pg2-t and Part II of the same address can be found at BN213 Novembe3r 1948 pg10-11.
    		• National Spiritual Assembly; National Convention; Laura Davis; Rowland Estall; Lloyd Gardner; Doris Richardson; John Robarts; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; Siegfried Schopflocher; Ross Woodman; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Montreal, QC first National Convention
    1948 Ridván
    194-    		 The following were elected to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Montréal: Siegfried Schopflocher, Gwen Inwood, Arthur Irwin, Milli Tina Gordon, Eddie Elliot, Adline Lohse, Bert Rakovsky; Amine De Mille; and René Roy. [OBCC146, 153] Local Spiritual Assembly, election; Siegfried Schopflocher; Gwen Inwood; Arthur Irwin; Milli Tina Gordon; Eddie Elliot; Adline Lohse; Albert Rakovsky; Amine De Mille; René Roy; Montreal, QC
    1948 1 Feb
    194-    		 The first Regional Conventions were held to elect delegates to the upcoming first National Convention. [OBCC308] Conventions; Conventions, District first Regional Conventions
    1948 1 Feb
    194-    		 The election of the 12th, 13th 14th, and 15th and spiritual assemblies in Ottawa, Scarboro, West Vancouver and Victoria. [OBCC224, 223, 219, 308] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Ottawa, ON; West Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Scarborough, ON
    1947 Dec
    194-    		 Earnest Court, a member of the first Spiritual Assembly of Winnipeg, passed away and was given the first Bahá'i funeral in Winnipeg. It was conducted by his good friend, Rowland Estall. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] - In Memoriam; Earnest Court; Rowland Estall; Winnipeg, MB he first Bahá'i funeral in Winnipeg.
    1947 Nov
    194-    		 Noel Wuttunee and Gerda Chrostopherson, both who had recently moved from Calgary, accepted the Faith and were married in Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] Noel Wuttunee; Gerda Christofferson; Marriage; Winnipeg, MB; Calgary, AB
    1947 Oct
    194-    		 Rowland Estall and his new wife Yvonne pioneered to St Boniface, a goal area for the Winnipeg community, along with Shirley Nichelson and Ted Whitely. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19]

    Note: On 1 January 1972, the city of Winnipeg amalgamated with old Winnipeg and Metro along with the rural municipalities of Charleswood, Fort Garry, North Kildonan, and Old Kildonan; the Town of Tuxedo; the cities of East Kildonan, West Kildonan, St. Vital, Transcona, St. Boniface, and St. James-Assiniboia into one city.

    		 Rowland Estall; Yvonne Terrill Estall; Shirley Nichelson; Ted Whitely; Winnipeg, MB; St. Boniface, MB
    1947 7 Oct
    194-    		 The first Bahá'í wedding in Winnipeg took place between Rowland Estall and Yvonne Killins. Ross Woodman officiated, and the event was held at "the Business and Professional Women's Club". [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] Rowland Estall; Yvonne Killins; Ross Woodman; Winnipeg, MB first wedding between Bahá'ís in Winnipeg
    1947 Oct
    194-    		 Noel Wuttunee (Eagle's Tail Feathers) a Cree from Calgary was the first Indigenous Canadian to join the community. [Bahá'í Canada Site; OBCC153]
  • Mention in CBN No38 Feb 1953 p6, "Gerda and Noel Wuttunee are at present residing in this community at 10958 - 84th Avenue and will remain in Edmonton for the winter."
  • In 1950 he served on the "Prairies Indian Committee". [CBN No 15 September 1950]
  • He may have been a resident of Winnipeg originally. [OBCC209-210, 227]
  • See OBCC144 for a photo.
  • See BW12p793 for a photo of Noel and his wife.
    		• Noel Wuttunee; Eagles Tail Feathers; Prairie Indian Committee; Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB First Indigenous person to become a Bahá'í in Canada
    1947 18 Jul
    194-    		 Melba Loft, (née Whetung), a Chippewa, became a Bahá'í while she was living in Michigan. She was the first Native Canadian to become a Bahá'í. [A Selected timeline related to the history of the Baha'is of Alberta]
  • Another source, says the date of her declaration was August 5, 19
    		•  Melba Loft First Canadian First Nations Bahá'í to enrol in the Faith in Canada.
    1947 Ridván
    194-    		 In 1937 there had been 18 localities and 2 spiritual assembly. Ten years later there were 38 localities and 13 spiritual assemblies. [OBCC178] Statistics
    1947 Ridván
    194-    		 The formation of the twelfth and thirteenth spiritual assemblies in Canada in Scarborough, ON and Vernon, BC. [OBCC178] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Scarborough, ON; Vernon, BC
    1947 (In the year)
    194-    		 The purchase of the Beaulac site, Canada's first nationally owned summer and winter school site. This site would serve the community until the early 70's.(OBCC164, BNNov1947p10-11] Summer schools; Winter schools; Beaulac, QC First nationally-owned summer and winter school property.
    1946 25 Nov
    194-    		 A large public meeting was sponsored by the Bahá'í Public Relations Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada. It was held in the Concert Hall of the Winnipeg Auditorium and was attend by more than four hundred people. The speakers were Edris Rice-Ray, an American and Emeric Sala, a Canadian. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p18] Edris Rice-Wray; Emeric Sala; Winnipeg, MB
    1946 23 - 25 Nov
    194-    		 A Public Campaign was held in Winnipeg.
  • on the 23rd: a luncheon conference that included representatives from newspapers and radio stations was hosted by Dr Rice-Wray and Emeric Sala.
  • on the 24th: a public meeting was attended by about 400 people.
  • on the evening of the 24th: a fireside was held after which five persons declared their interest in becoming Bahá'ís.
  • on the 25th: Dr Rice-Wray spoke to about 40 students at the University of Manitoba on the subject "Science and World Order". Subsequently a study group of about 25 students began to meet weekly and a special University Teaching Committee was established with Ross Woodman as chairman.
  • on the evening of the 25th: Emeric Sala spoke to about 40 Spanish students and members of the Spanish American Club on the subject "Latin America Tomorrow"

    Due to the participation of Audrey Robarts many prominent people attended some of the events including the wife of the Lieutenant-Governor of the province.

  • Radio activity included a series of 42 spot announcements over stations CJOB and CKRC which familiarized the listening public with the name Bahá'í the various principles and advertised the public meeting. Edris Rice-Wray was interviewed by Mrs. Eve Henderson on the Women's Hour program. Emeric Sala was given a five-minute interview on CJOE. [BN No 191 January 1947 p5]
    		• Edris Rice-Wray; Emeric Sala; Audrey Robarts; Ross Woodman; Winnipeg, MB
    1946 Ridván
    194-    		 The Second Seven Year Plan of the United States and Canada (1946-1953) was launched. [BBR180; BBRSM158, 185; MA87-89, MA89]
  • This marked the beginning of the second epoch of the Formative Age. [CB316; CF5–6]
  • For details of the plan see BW16:81–2.
    		•  Seven Year Plan; - Teaching Plans
    1946 - 1950
    194-    		 Helen Poissant who had learned of the Faith in Winnipeg from Lillian Tomlinson, pioneered to Saskatoon. [OBCC186] Helen Poissant; Lillian Tomlinson; Pioneering; Winnipeg, MB; Saskatoon, SK
    1946 (In the year)
    194-    		 The Beaulac property, near Rawdon was purchased by Rosemary and Emeric Sala in partnership with Freddie Schopflocher with the intention of establishing a winter school. Bill Suter, a Swiss immigrant, was appointed as the caretaker. [TG108]
  • The farmhouse was improved and enlarged, two additional cottages were built, two mor wells were dug, part of the barn was rebuilt into a lecture hall. The property was offered for use by the Canadian Youth Hostel Association and was used by the Bahá'ís for winter and summer schools for more than twenty-five years. [TG109]
  • When the National Spiritual Assembly was formed two years later this property became its first endowment. [CBN No 15 September, 1950 p5] .
    		•  Summer schools; Beaulac, QC; Beaulac, QC first endowment of the National Spiritual Assembbly
    1946 (In the year)
    194-    		 The first male Bahá'í in Edmonton, Roland McGee, arrived with his wife Anne, in 1946. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] Roland McGee; Anne McGee; Edmonton, AB
    1945 20 Oct
    194-    		 Emeric and Rosemary Sala of St. Lambert, Quebec departed on a four month tour of Central and South America. They visited 19 republics and Mr Sala gave seventy-nine talks. They visited many pioneers and paid homage at the grave of May Maxwell at Quilmes, about one hour from Buenos Aires. [TG93-101] Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; May Maxwell; St. Lambert, QC; Travel Teaching
    1945 19 Aug
    194-    		 Lloyd Gardner held the first public Bahá'í meeting in St. John's, NL entitled, "A Bahá'í Lecture on World Unity". [OBCC193] Lloyd Gardner; Teaching; St. Johns, NL
    1945 c. Mar
    194-    		 The establishment of the Friends of the Indians Society in Edmonton. Its chief aims "to assist in the promotion of better understanding and grealter cooperation between the Indians and the Canadian people in general" and "to aid in the establishment of the Indian people as an important part of Canadian society." [CBN No63 Apr 1955 p2]
  • Note: The Committee of Friends of the Indian (after 1951 known as the Friends of the Indians Society), was led by Reta Rowan. [Seen but Not Seen: Influential Canadians and the First Nations from the 1840s to Today by Donald B. Smith]
    		•  Friends of the Indians Society; Edmonton, AB
    1945 (In the year)
    194-    		 Emeric Sala's book was This Earth One Country was published by Bruce Humphries Publishers in Boston. The first run was 5,000 copies. It was written with David Hofman as the intended reader in mind. [TGpXI,86, BEL7.2336]
  • This book is not available for purchase but can be read at Bahaiworks.
    		•  Emeric Sala; This Earth One Country; David Hofman
    1944 19 - 25 May
    194-    		 An international celebration of the Centenary of the founding of the Faith was held at the House of Worship in Wilmette.
  • For a description of this event see BW10:158–61.
  • For the programme see BW10:162–70.
  • For a list of the countries participating in the conference see BW10:168.
  • This event was attended by a number of Canadian Bahá'ís. iiiii

    CANADIAN BAHÁ'Í WHO SIGNED THE 1944 CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION REGISTER

    Note: The Register had been made by Charles Mason Remey. Approximately 941-971 Bahá'ís signed the Register out of the 1,484 Bahá'ís who registered for the 1944 Centennial Commemoration in Wilmette and Chicago, IL. Most Bahá'ís signed their name and put their city and state, province or country. 

      1. Charles N. Murray, Ottawa, Canada
2. Madeleine Humbert, Halifax, N.S.
3. Audrey Robarts, Toronto, Canada
4. Beulah S. Proctor, Halifax, N.S.
5. Doris Richardson, Toronto, Canada
6. Laura Romney Davis, Toronto
7. Ethel A. Priestly, Toronto
8. Rena Millie Gordon, Regina, Sask.
9. Siegfried Schopflocher, Montreal
10. Theresa Lillywhite, Regina, Sask.
11. Lotus Peterson, Regina, Sask.
12. Florence H. Cox, Regina, Sask.
13. Edna Colpitts, Moncton, New Brunswick
14. Anna A. McGee, Edmonton, Alta.
15. Emeric Sala, St. Lambert, Canada
16. John A. Robarts, Toronto, Canada
17. Helen Giddin, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
18. Anita Ioas, Edmonton, Alberta
19. Winnifred Harvey, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
20. Annie B. Romer, Halifax, N.S., Canada
21. I.J. Fox, Vancouver, B.C.
22. Zara B. Phonic, Regina, Sask. [spelling of last name uncertain]
23. Edna M. Hollaway, Charlottetown, PEI
24. Muriel Hutchings, Halifax, N.S.
25. Jean Mosher, St. Lambert, Quebec
26. Maiaret Laurie (Spelling?), St. Lambert, Quebec
27. Rowland Estall, Winnipeg, Manitoba
28. Doris McKay, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
29. Jean Johnston, Winnipeg, Manitoba
    List prepared from the 1944 Centennial Commemoration Register by Roger M. Dahl, National Bahá'í Archives, United States, June 24, 2021. Some of the handwriting was difficult to read so some of the names or addresses may be misspelled.
    		• Centenaries; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Chicago, IL
    1944 Ridván
    194-    		 Canada's tenth and eleventh spiritual assemblies formed in Charlottetown, PE and Regina, SK. [OBCC178, 180] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Regina, SK
    1944 Ridván
    194-    		 Completion of the Seven-Year Plan with 9 spiritual assemblies and 39 localities. (OBCC308] First Seven Year Plan; Statistics
    1944 Ridván
    194-    		 Those elected to serve the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada were: George 0. Latimer (Chairman), Allen B. McDaniel (Vice), Horace Holley (Secretary), Louis G. Gregory (Recording Secretary), Roy C. Wilhelm (Treasurer), Dorothy Baker. Amelia E. Collins, Philip G. Sprague, Leroy loss. The Assembly appointed Siegfried Schopflocher to serve as the Treasurer of the Canadian Bahá'í Fund. [BN No 169 July 1944 p2]
  • Prior to 1944 delegates to the National Convention were chosen from local communities by proportional representation. [BN No 16 March 1927 p1 refers] After this point delegates no longer represented Local Assemblies but were chosen on a provincial (or state) basis. [MA70-71; OBCC157, 174n2]
  • In 1944 there were 35 delegates to the National Convention. iiiii
    		• National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Horace Holley; Louis G. Gregory; Roy C. Wilhelm; Dorothy Baker; Amelia Collins; Philip G. Sprague; Leroy Ioas; Siegfried Schopflocher; North America
    1943 12 Nov
    194-    		 The Edmonton Baha'i community organized a Race Unity meeting with Muslims, Jews, Ukrainians and one Chinese in attendance. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] Race unity; Interfaith dialogue; Edmonton, AB
    1943 18 Jun
    194-    		 The passing of Mabel Rice-Wray Ives (Rizwanea) (b. in St. Louis, MI in 1878) in Oklahoma, OK. She was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery. [BW9p616]

    She first heard of the Faith at the age of 21 in 1899 under miraculous circumstances. [Mabel Ives & The Mysterious Trolley Car Ride]

    In 1903 she married Theron Canfield Rice-Wray and they lived in California from 1909 to 1914 where her marriage ended and she returned to the East. In 1919 she met Howard Colby Ives and they married in 1920. They teamed with another couple, Grace and Harlan Ober as well as Doris and Willard McKay in both business and the teaching work, moving from one virgin territory to another.

    See the story of how Mabel resolved the situation when she could no longer tolerate the itinerate lifestyle in the story When Mable Ives Could Endure No More, She Prayed .

    In 1937, the suggestion was made that Moncton, New Brunswick would be a fertile ground for the Cause. The Ives went. During the first six weeks of her stay, Mrs. Ives gave public lectures, radio addresses and formed a study class. She introduced the Faith to St. John, N.B., Halifax, N.S. and Charlottetown, P. E. I. Her untiring efforts, led to Moncton, NB forming the first Spiritual Assembly in the Canadian Maritimes, April 21st, 1937.

    In spite of Howard's failing health, they travelled to Toronto in November of 1938 for ten months to assist in the formation of Toronto's first Spiritual Assembly. Rizwanea served on that new Spiritual Assembly until she left Canada. She gave more than 150 lectures in Toronto and 70 in Hamilton, Ontario, Toronto's expansion goal. Howard, although experiencing heart problems and rapidly losing both his sight and hearing complemented her abilities by doing personal deepening with receptive souls downstairs, while she would be presenting the Teachings upstairs.

    See the tribute paid to her in the Canadian Bahá'í News No 202 November 1966 p4.

    		Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; - In Memoriam; Moncton, NB; Halifax, NS; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON
    1943 Apr
    194-    		 As of this date the Edmonton Bahá'í Community had formed a Spiritual Assembly, the ninth Local Spiritual Assembly in Canada. It was composed entirely of women. [OBCC217; Edmonton Bahá'í History]
  • "Their two goals were to gain male Bahá'ís, and increase membership from ethnic communities, longing to be "a truly international group"
    		•  Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Edmonton, AB
    1943 2 Feb
    194-    		 Visiting Bahá'í speaker had to engagement on this day. In the afternoon he spoke to the Inter-Racial Fellowship in the George William Room at the UMCA on the topic of "Races and Equalitiy". In the evening he gave a public lecture in the Marlborough Hotel on the topic "This Earth One Country". [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p40] Emeric Sala; Winnipeg, MB
    1942 Sep
    194-    		 Ina Trimble, a widow, was the first Edmonton resident to become a Bahá'í (Edmonton Bahá'í Community 2012)." Shortly after in the same year, four people from Edmonton became Baha'is. [OBCC217; Edmonton Bahá'í History] Edmonton, AB; Conversion the first Edmonton resident to become a Bahá’í
    1942 Summer
    194-    		 A week-long summer school was held at the family farm of Paul Sala in Rivière Beaudette, QC with Dr Glen Shook as guest speaker. [TG84] Summer schools; Paul Sala; Riviere Beaudette, QC
    1942 c. Summer
    194-    		 A Winnipeg believer, Ernest Court, spent four months in Regina as part of Winnipeg's outreach program. He had frequent assistance from his home community. [BN 155 August 1942 p5] Ernest Court; Regina, SK; Winnipeg, MB
    1942 c. Mid-year
    194-    		 Evelyn Cliff of Vancouver found a teaching job in Calgary and moved there accompanied by Anne McGee, a member of the Vancouver Youth Group. In October Sylvia King relocated from Winnipeg to join Evelyn, Anne and Doris Skinner. [fBN155 August 1942 p5] Evelyn Cliff; Anne McGee; Sylvia King; Doris Skinner; Calgary, AB; Vancouver, BC; Winnipeg, MB
    1942 Ridván
    194-    		 Canada's sixth and seventh spiritual assemblies formed in Halifax, NS, Hamilton, ON. [OBCC177] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Halifax, NS; Winnipeg, MB; Hamilton, ON
    1942 Ridván
    194-    		 The first Spiritual Assembly was formed in Winnipeg, the eighth in Canada. Members were: Beth Brooks, Ernest Court, Rowland Estall, Sylvia King, Sigrun Lindal, Ernest Marsh, Stella Pollexfen, Helen Poissant, and Lillian Tomlinson (later Prosser). [OBCC227]
  • Lillian Tomlinson (later Prosser) had been the first Winnipeg resident to become a Bahá'í. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p10]
    		• Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Beth Brooks; Ernest Court; Rowland Estall; Sylvia King; Sigrun Lindal; Ernest Marsh; Stella Pollexfen; Helen Poissant; Lillian Tomlinson; Winnipeg, MB
    1942 (In the year)
    194-    		 Muriel Warnicker moved to Edmonton from Vancouver and Marcia Atwater moved to Edmonton from the United States.[ OBCC217] There were only a few isolated Baha'is living in Alberta. [A.Pemberton-Pigott Thesis p8] Muriel Warnicker; Marcia Atwater; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC
    1942 (Early in the year)
    194-    		 Lucille C. Gisome, a civil servant, enrolled in the Faith, probably through her friendship with Winnifred Harvey. She was an African Canadian. She was a delegate to the 1942 National Convention. [OBCC186]
  • From 1939 to 1940 she worked for the Dominion Bureau of Statistics and subsequently for the Department of Munitions and Supply until 1941 when she left for Toronto. Subject to racism in Canada she settled in Czechslovakia in the late 1940's after living in England and Germany. [OBCC152, 224]
  • For a phote see OBCC144.
    		•  Lucille Gisome; National Convention; Winnifred Harvey; Ottawa, ON; Toronto, ON
    1942 (In the year)
    194-    		 Charles Nealy Murray and Grace Geary, an early pioneer to PE, participated in the first Feast held in Charlottetown, PE. [OBCC117] Feasts; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island first Feast held in Charlottetown, PE.
    1942 (In the year)
    194-    		 Four others joined the Faith in Edmonton in 1942. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] Edmonton, AB; Conversion
    1942 (In the year)
    194-    		 In the Baha'i group in Edmonton as in other groups, it was not uncommon to find women among the first believers or "pioneers." Although there was a Baha'i group in Edmonton in 1911, apparently the Bahá'í community has been in continuous existence only since 1940. [OBCC152]
  • The Vancouver Bahá'í Archives has a photo of the first Bahá'í group in Edmonton in 1942 with Anne McGee, Lyda Martland, Milwyn Davies, Kay Rimell, Anita Ioas (later Chapman). This photo is Plate 30 in OBCC152.
    		•  Anne McGee; Lyda Martland; Milwyn Davies; Kay Rimell; Anita Ioas; Anita Chapman; Edmonton, AB
    1941 29 - 31 Aug
    194-    		 First Summer School in Vernon, BC. Less than 20 attended. [OBBC 164,268] Summer schools; Vernon, BC First Summer School in Vernon, BC
    1941 3 - 9 Aug
    194-    		 The Spiritual Assembly of Toronto held it first annual Ontario summer school at Glen Lynden Farm, Rice Lake. 29 attended. The general theme was "Our Colossal Responsibility." They were blessed by a cablegram from Shoghi Effendi saying that he was delighted, and praying for success of the Ontario Summer Session. [TG84; BN No 149 December 1941 p6; OBCC164,268]

    See photo at Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh

    		 Summer schools; Rice Lake, ON 1st summer school in ON
    1941 (Summer)
    194-    		 The war years brought an unexpected development in the Bahá'í community in Canada. Government restrictions on foreign currency exchange reduced the attendance by Canadian Bahá'ís at the Green Acre and Geyserville summer schools in the United States. After the 1941 National Convention, Rowland Estall was charged with the start—up of Bahá'í summer schools and conferences in Canada. With the financial help of Siegfried Schopfiocher, the first such gathering took place in Montreal from late June to early July of that year. A month later the Ontario Bahá'ís hosted a summer school at Rice Lake, and a summer session took place in Vernon, British Colombia. From then on summer schools became a regular feature of Canadian Bahá'í life. [BWM48-49] Summer schools; Montreal, QC; Rice Lake, ON; Vernon, BC
    1941 28 Jun - 2 Jul
    194-    		 First summer School in Canada in Montreal was held in three different homes, the Schopflochers', the Salas' and the Maxwells'. Reports of the number of people attending vary from 17 to 25 to 30. Those attending were from Montreal, St. Lambert, Moncton, Hamilton, Toronto, (among them a new believer named John Robarts), Ottawa Rouyn, and Winnipeg. Three non-Bahá'ís also attended and enrolled shortly thereafter.

    The varied program provided daily talks and discussions based on the outline 'Deepening the Spiritual Life'; study of the first part of 'The Promised Day Is Come' (led by Miss Winnifred Harvey); separate talks on 'Bahá'í Administration' (Siegfried Schopflocher, Ragnar Mattson, and Lou Boudler); 'Bahá'í Attitude towards Christianity' (Mrs. Agnes King); and 'Post-War Reconstruction' (John De Mille). Lorol Schopflocher contributed an account of her journeys to Central America and the British West Indies, and Emeric and Rosemary Sala gave us stories of their experiences in Venezuela and Columbia. [OBCC268; BW9:28; TG84; BN No 149 December 1941 p5]

    		Summer schools; Winnifred Harvey; Siegfried Schopflocher; Ragnar Mattson; Lou Boudler; Agnes King; John De Mille; Lorol Schopflocher; Emeric Sala; Rosemary Sala; John Robarts; Montreal, QC First summer School in Canada in Montreal
    1941 20 Jun
    194-    		 The passing of Howard Colby Ives (b. 11 Oct 1867, Brooklyn, New York, d. Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA). He was buried in Pinecrest Memorial Park and Garden Mausoleum, Alexander, Saline County, Arkansas. [BW9p608-613; Find a grave]
  • He and his wife Mabel spent nearly the last twenty years of his life as itinerant teachers. (Often teamed up with the Obers and the McKays) For example they came to Toronto in November of 1938 and stayed for about 10 months. During that time Mabel gave more than 150 lectures in Toronto and about 70 in Hamilton, Toronto's expansion goal. Howard, who was had had heart problems and who was rapidly losing for sight and hearing at the time, complemented her abilities by doing personal deepening with receptive souls. [TMLF62-67, SEBW139-154]

    Some of his works were:

    • The Ocean of His Utterances Unpublished study course in the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh using the books of Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l‑Baha, and Shoghi Effendi, compiled and with commentary by Ives. Not yet formatted.
    • Portals to Freedom (1937) A collection of anecdotes and history of Abdu'l-Baha's travels to the United States, as told by one observer. [BEL7.1313 to 7.1320]
    • The Song Celestial (1938) A mystical book about Mr. Ives' search for God, in which a seeker asks God various questions, and God responds. [BEL7.1321-1322]
  • Also see Mother's Stories: Recollections of Abdu'l-Baha by Muriel Ives Barrow Newhall (Daughter of Howard and Mabel Ives)
    		•  Howard Colby Ives; - In Memoriam; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Toronto, ON; Hamilton, ON; Travel Teaching
    1941 Jun
    194-    		 Dorothy Sheets became the first Bahá'í to enroll in Calgary, AB. [OBCC184] Dorothy Sheets; Calgary, AB first Bahá'í to enroll in Calgary, AB.
    1941 May
    194-    		 Lulu Barr pioneered to Saskatoon from Hamilton where she had learned of the Faith from Mabel Rice-Wray Ives two years earlier in May 1939. She stayed for two years with no apparent results. [OBCC186] Lulu Barr; Mabel Rice-Wray Ives; Hamilton, ON; Saskatoon, SK
    1941 8 Apr
    194-    		 The passing of Urbain Joseph Ledoux (b. August 13, 1874 in Ste Hélène de Bagot, Quebec). He was buried in Saint Joseph's Cemetery Biddeford, Maine.
  • He is believed to be the third French-Canadian to become a Bahá'í outside of Canada. [OCBB94]
  • He gave an address to the National Convention at the Hotel McAlpine on the 28th of April, 1919 entitled The Oneness of the World of Humanity. [SoW Vol 10 May 17, 1919 No 4 p58] "This talk 'sounded so French-Canadian' that later francophone believers could still be moved to tears in reading its text." [OCBB94]
  • He received widespread publicity for his opening of bread lines in New York (The Stepping Stone) and for "auctions" of the jobless to employers in New York and Boston during the Depression of 1921. He was received by President Warren Harding shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C. in September 1921. Ledoux spent a little over three months in Washington, D.C. 1921-22 campaigning for a public works program funded by a tax on companies that made excessive war profits during World War I. His tactics included setting up a hotel housing the unemployed on Pennsylvania Avenue, an auction of the jobless, speaking before the unemployment conference, calling for the arrest of international arms conference delegates. He walked around the city carrying a white umbrella, a lighted lantern and a Bible or a copy of the Sermon on the Mount saying he was like Diogenes searching for an honest man.
  • Urbain Ledoux is shown in Boston in 1921 auctioning off an unemployed man. He conducted these auctions in New York and Boston in order to garner publicity for the plight of the unemployed and to find work for the jobless. He called himself "Mr. Zero" because he said he didn't want any publicity for himself.
  • "Mr. Zero" returned to Washington in 1932 with the Bonus Expeditionary Force, leading an unauthorized march on the White House July 16, 1932 that resulted in his arrest along with two others. The march frightened President Herbert Hoover who set in motion the eviction of the bonus marchers from the city—a move that backfired on Hoover and helped to cement his reputation as someone uncaring about the plight of the nation's unemployed. Photos.
  • Find a grave.
  • His obituary in the New York Times April 10th 1941.
  • He is reported to have "rescued" 85 year-old Sarah Farmer in Portsmouth where she was being held in a sanatorium against her will. [Boston Post 4 August 1916]
  • See a story from Ephemeral New York.
  • There is a short description of Urbain LeDoux in He Loved and Served: The Story of Curtis Kelsey p 33-34.
    		•  Urbain Ledoux (Mr Zero); Social action; Ste Helene de Bagot, QC; New York, USA; Boston, MA; Washington, DC, USA
    1941 10 Jan
    194-    		 Emeric Sala spoke at the Marlborough Hotel again. The chair-person of that meeting was Beth Brooks, who became three months later on April 20, 1942, the seventh local believer. Her declaration was just in time to form the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p18] Emeric Sala; Winnipeg, MB
    1941 (In the year)
    194-    		 Long-time Alberta resident Mabel Pine moved to Edmonton from Vermilion. [OBCC:217; Edmonton Bahá'í History]
  • She had first arrived in Edmonton in 1912 where she studied to become a nurse. Some time after graduation she moved to BC where she accepted the Faith.
  • In 1925 she returned to AB where she spent the rest of her life promoting the Faith. [The Distance Traversed a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022]
    		•  Mabel Pine; Vermillion, AB; Edmonton, AB
    1940 Jun
    194-    		 Winnifred Harvey became the first Bahá'í to enrol in the Faith in Ottawa having learned of the Faith in Winnipeg from Rowland Estall. [OBCC185]

    Originally she had been attracted to the Faith by publicity from the New History society but rejected the mixture of "truth and superstition".

    		 Winnifred Harvey; New History Society; Ottawa, ON; Winnipeg, MB First to enrol in the Faith in Ottawa
    1940 Ridván
    194-    		 Canada's sixth spiritual assembly formed in Hamilton. It did not re-form in 1944. [OBCC177-178, UC16] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Hamilton, ON
    1940 1 Mar
    194-    		 May Bolles Maxwell (b. 14 January 1940 in Englewood, NJ) passed away in Buenos Aires. [BBD153; TG49]

    Shoghi Effendi called her "the spiritual mother of Canada" Montreal "the mother city of Canada. [OBCC35]

  • Shoghi Effendi awarded her the honour of a 'martyr's death' and designated her as a Disciple of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [BW8:631; MA38]
  • She was the first Bahá'í on European soil and the "mother" of both the French and the Canadian Bahá'í communities. [PP149]
  • For her "In Memoriam" and tribute written by Marion Holley see BW8p631-642.
  • Hooper Dunbar quoted Shoghi Effendi in his cable to the friends in Iran announcing her passing:
      May Maxwell, the severed teacher firebrand of the love of God and spreader of the fragrances of God Mrs Maxwell, forsook her native land and hastened to the most distant countries out of love for her Master and yearning to sound the call to the Cause of her Lord and her inspiration, until she ascended to the highest summit attaining the rank of martyrdom in the capital of the Argentine. The furthermost boundary the countenances of paradise invoke blessings upon her in the glorious apex saying, may she enjoy with healthy relish the cup that is full and brimming over with the wine of the love of God for the like of this should the travaillers travail. Inform all the friends of the announcement of this mighty victory. [A talk] given by Mr Dunbar 28:08]
  • Shoghi Effendi asked her husband, Sutherland Maxwell, to design her tomb, which was to be a 'historic centre' for 'pioneer Bahá'í activity'. [BW8:642]
  • For an account of the erection of the monument to her see PSBW83–6.
    		•  May Maxwell (Bolles); Sutherland Maxwell; Architecture; - Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Montreal, QC First Bahá'í on European soil.
    1940 (in the decade)
    194-    		 The Baha'i group in Edmonton made contact with "liberal Christians, Theosophists, and others [A.Pemberton-Pigott Thesis p3] cited in OBCC217. Teaching; Edmonton, AB
    1940 (In the year)
    194-    		 Mary E. Fry moved to Edmonton from Vancouver. [OBCC217] Mary Fry; Pioneer; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC
    1940 (In the year)
    194-    		 The Canadian Department of National Defence exempted Bahá'ís from combatant military duty. Exemption; Recognition (legal); Military
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