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Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada

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Date 1940, descending — sort earliest first

date event tags firsts
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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