Baha'i Communities in California
California was one of the first states to have resident Baha'is. Henrietta Emogene Martin Hoagg - known to the Bahá'ís as Emogene - learned of the Bahá'í Faith in California in 1898 from Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, and after studying with Lua Getsinger became "the first confirmed believer in California." 'Abdu'l-Baha traveled through California in 1912, visiting the cities of San Francisco, Pleasanton, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. The first American Baha'i, Thornton Chase, died in California the day before 'Abdu'l-Baha's arrival; his grave is the only place of pilgrimage for Baha'is on the North American Continent.
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Area of Bahá'í Activity
Conference Center
Local Bahá'í Center
Seasonal School