Bahá'í Shrine

Even though ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed in other homes in Europe and America, the Maxwell home in Montreal is the only place officially designated a “Shrine.” This sacred spot is unique in the world, since it is the only Bahá’í shrine outside of the Holy Land and those places in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey where the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh have resided or sojourned. It was therefore a great honour and privilege conferred upon Canada and the city of Montreal.

The importance of this Shrine has been described in these words: “Things arise in historic perspective as time goes by. This is the only private home in Canada where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed. After His visit, it was always considered blessed by having been used by Him. For future generations, it will eventually grow in importance and sacredness, because He, the Centre of the Covenant, the Greatest Mystery of God, stayed here.”

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The Montreal Bahá’í Shrine is, therefore, a place of pilgrimage. It is located in a city that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hopes in the future “will become so stirred, that the melody of the Kingdom may travel to all parts of the world from that Dominion and the breaths of the Holy Spirit may spread from that centre to the East and the West of America.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had said, in effect, that ‘this house is My home.’

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Baha'i Shrine Reception Center

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The reception centre is not open, and visitors are requested to go directly to the basement of the building, taking the external stairs to the left of the main entrance to the Shrine.

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A new reservation system for visitors to the Bahá’í Shrine in Montréal is implemented. Those wishing to visit the Shrine are asked to book a time to visit through the following link, ideally in advance of their arrival date:  https://calendly.com/sanctuaire-montreal-shrine/rdv-appointment.  If visitors have not been able to book a time in advance, a guide will be able to do so for them on arrival.

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The regular visiting hours are on Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.