Timeline

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“Then will the generations look back with heartfelt appreciation, for the sacrifices made by Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike, during this most turbulent period in human history.” – The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986

1846, January

Earliest mention of the Faith in Iowa media?

…article on The Babi movement in the Iowa Territorial Gazette & Advertiser, in Burlington

1850, September

Article on the Martyrdom of the Bab

…in the Miner’s Expess newspaper in Dubuque

1899

Earliest Baha’is in Iowa?

Kearney B. & Mrs. Parrie Griffith, College Springs

1913

Eearly Baha’is living in Iowa

(Possibly Sophie Hays and her sister? *See comments below.)

1913

Contribution to the Baha’i Temple construction fund from Iowa Baha’is

1913

Pamphlets published in Schaller, IA

by US Esperanto Association on Baha’i Faith and universal language

1913

Pamphlets published

…in Schaller, IA by US Esperanto Association on Baha’i Faith and universal language

1914

Keokuk Baha’is sent delegate to convention that elected Temple Unity

1916, March

Iowa mentioned in one of the Tablets of the Divine Plan

1919

Albert Vail travel taught in Iowa

1936

Dr. Zia Baghdadi spoke about the Faith in Iowa

…to a crowd of ~600 gathered near Auburn, Iowa, to learn about an investment scheme

1937

Gertrude Matteson, Mabel Ives taught the Faith

…in Council Bluffs and Des Moines

1937

First Baha’i resident in Des Moines

(Identity?)

1938

Gayle Woolson spoke to organizations

…in Des Moines and Eastern Iowa

1939

Gayle Woolson and Marvin Newport visited

…to teach the Faith in Cedar Rapids

1939

Ruth Moffett actively taught

…speaking in Independence, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, forming study groups

1941

Ruth Moffett returns to Iowa

…to conduct intensive teaching campaign

1942

Annie Romer pioneered for several months

…teaching in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Davenport

1942

Mable Ives taught in Cedar Rapids

…14 declarations in September

1943

First LSA in Iowa formed in Cedar Rapids

1948

First LSA formed in Waterloo

1949

Cedar Rapids Baha’i Center

Media mention of a Baha’i Center at 106 1/2 Second Avenue SE

1953-54

Start of Ten Year Crusade

…two LSAs, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo

1955

Regular community activities in Davenport, Iowa City, and Manchester

1955

First LSA formed in Des Moines

1956

First LSA formed in Davenport

1956

First Iowa Teaching Institute

…held at Scattergood Quaker Farm School

1962-63

End of Ten Year Crusade

…four LSAs, adding Des Moines and Davenport

1963, April

Historic Election

Hugh Chance elected to serve among the first members of the Universal House of Justice

1964

First LSA formed in Cedar Falls

1967

State of Iowa granted LSAs authority to perform marriage ceremonies

1970

First LSA formed in Iowa City

1973, July

Hand of the Cause William Sears visits Council Bluffs

.. hosted by Priscilla & John Hofert

1974

First LSA formed in Marshalltown

1975

Nine LSAs active in Iowa

…Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Iowa City, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Des Moines

1978

Celebration of 35th anniversary of Cedar Rapids LSA

1978, December 4

First LSA formed in Sioux City

Formed by joint declaration. A representative of the NSA presented a certificate of recognition.

1979

First LSA formed in Warren County

1984, June

Cedar Rapids LSA sponsored Race Amity Conference

…at Kirkwood Community College

1991

First LSA formed in Dubuque

1997, May

First Regional Baha’i Councils established

…Iowa is served by the Prairie States RBC, with Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri

1999

Acquisition of Cedar Rapids Baha’i Center

2022, May

Iowa’s Vision for Humanity Conference

…May 13-15, at Pilgrim Heights Conference and Retreat Center in Montour, Iowa.

2024, October

Cedar Rapids LSA Celebrates 75th Anniversary

…of its incorporation at the local Baha’i Center

2 Comments

  1. * The 1913 date for these early Baha’i’s in Iowa comes from the BAHAIPEDIA article on Iowa. As I understand it, there was no formal enrollment process at that time so it’s hard to pin this down precisely. We know that Sophie Hays was one of the earliest believers in the state and are working to research this further. I urge anyone with information about this or any very early Baha’is in the state to email us at iowabahaihistory@gmail.com.

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