Construction

Construction of the Temple began in April 1957. It took more than four years to complete and was funded by donations from Baha’is. The architect was John Brogan of Sydney.

As with all Baha’i Temples, it has nine sides and nine entrances, symbolising the Baha’i belief in the unity of the human race under the one God and the essential unity of the world religions.

Construction techniques never before employed in Australia were used for this Temple. A helicopter placed the prefabricated lantern structure atop the completed dome, the first time such a technique was used in Australia. It attracted extensive media coverage.

On completion of the main structure and dome, a plate bearing an inscription in Arabic, meaning “O Glory of the All Glorious”, was hoisted into position in the centre of the dome inside the auditorium.

The Temple was formally dedicated and opened to the public on 17 September 1961.

Today this magnificent edifice, standing some 38 metres in height, with a diameter of around 30 metres, has become a highly visible landmark on Sydney’s northern beaches.