History of Baha'i Faith in Hersham
Baha’u’llah, the founder of Baha’I faith, encouraged the believers to travel and teach the new faith to the world at large. His teachings of oneness of mankind and universal peace was spread world wide by a young community of believers in early 19th Century.
The first visit by a Baha’i to Elmbridge was by Abdu’l’Baha, Son of Baha’u’llah in September 1911 and then again in Jan 1913, during which he visited Byfleet and Woking. During the later visit he gave a talk in Woking attended by several hundred attendees of different backgrounds.
Two early resident Baha'i pioneers of Elmbridge were Sydney and Gladys Barrett who are noted in local biography if Elmbridge.
Sydney and Gladys Barrett were the first Bahá'ís to live and settle in Elmbridge. They moved to Weybridge in early 1960s and they played an active part in Bahá'í community life in and around Surrey during the 30 years they lived on Brooklands Road.
Today, there are hundreds of Baha’is living in Elmbridge and Surrey boroughs and the Hersham Baha’i community is an example such active and vibrant communities.
The community hold regular events which are open to both Baha’is and guests. These include prayer meetings, Children classes, Youth classes, deepening and discussion events where various current issues are discussed in light of service to community at large.
To participate in any of the events please contact the Secretary of Baha'is of Hersham.
