From the first flickers of interest in 1845—when reports of the Bábí and Bahá’í movements reached Britain’s newspapers and diplomatic channels—through the election of its National Spiritual Assembly in 1923 and up to the landmark 1963 World Congress, this volume offers the first comprehensive history of the British Bahá’í community. It traces the pioneering visits of Western believers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Holy Land, his two celebrated sojourns in Britain (during which he was publicly honored and even knighted), and the safeguarding efforts mounted on his behalf during World War I.

Enriched by personal memoirs and archival research, the narrative follows generations of English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish Bahá’ís as they cultivated a “small but vibrant community,” advanced the faith at home and in Africa, and prepared Shoghi Effendi—‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s chosen successor—for leadership in London. Their dedication culminated in hosting the first Bahá’í World Congress—during which the Universal House of Justice convened outside the Holy Land for the only time—testifying to the community’s steadfast service and enduring legacy.