We’re gathering personal stories from Baha’is who live in the UK—or have lived here in the past. Whether your journey with the Faith began recently or decades ago, your experience matters. This project is lovingly supported by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the UK.
Each story shared here is a personal reflection. That means they may include gaps or reflect individual perspectives, and while we review every submission editorially, we can’t guarantee every detail is complete or verified. If you have extra insights or memories related to a story, we warmly invite you to leave a comment—your contribution helps enrich the collective tapestry.
We’d love to hear your story.
Whether you became a Baha’i last week or fifty years ago, whatever your age now, your journey is unique and valuable. We especially welcome stories from those who’ve moved to the UK—particularly from Iran—and would love to hear about your experiences settling in and finding your place.
Need a little inspiration? Scroll down and explore the stories already shared. We hope they spark something in you—and when you’re ready, we’re here to help you get started.
Just drop us a line at histories@bahai.org.uk and our friendly team will guide you through the process.
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Webpage header photo courtesy of Baha’i Media Bank
UK Baha'i Histories 
Great initiative, well done
Many thanks for your kind words Shawn. God Bless and take care always.
So interesting to read people’s stories and see all the connections. Look forward to more.
what an interesting site, and such a good concept. The web is able to offer everyone immediate access to these wonderfully inspiring stories. This is the perfect culmination for the Histories Project that for years has relied on pen, paper and a few tape recordings. I now need to get on and write my own…….
Thank you for this appreciative comment, Rob. We will be delighted to see your story when you have written it!
Jenny Lockwood, on behalf of the UK Baha’i Histories Project
Hi, my name is Peter Hirst and I am a Baha’i from Rotorua, New Zealand. I have been reading the entries that mention Bradford as I was born there in 1943. I never heard about the Faith whilst living in Bradford and I came to live in New Zealand in 1965. I became a Baha’i in 1974, taught by pioneer American couple, Alvin (Dick) and Pauline Hale from Boulder, Colorado.
In Bradford I attended Green Lane Primary School, Belle Vue Boys High School and then served an apprenticeship as a metal turner at English Electric. I played rugby league badly for Thornton ARLFC.
I would be delighted to hear from anyone who remembers me, a long shot I know!
The New Zealand Baha’i community is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013 and my wife and I have been invited to write
a little about our Baha’i lives. This is how I was put in touch with your fine project. Baha’i love Peter
Well done on this excellent initiative – I’m just reading the latest instalment.
I do so love reading each one as it comes out, and find them incredibly inspiring how people from such diverse backgrounds are led to the Baha’i faith, some of them overcoming huge obstacles in the process.
Will you be bringing out a compilation book of these stories at any time – perhaps to mark the first 200?
Good idea Ruhi, and thanks for your kind comment. We are not thinking about a book at the present time, but it is definitely possible in the future. Difficult to select which stories to include and which not to!
I would agree w/ Ruhi that a book should be considered, however it needs to be seen as an allied but distinct project. IMO, in order to sell it would need to be dominated by pictures of the time w/ people correctly identified.
I would like to see an alternative project completed first. Format the material you are gathering here and compile into a good looking, freely distributed pdf file. The purpose would be to ensure that the information you have is made readily available to Baha’i scholars and others interested in Baha’i history.
I would further suggest you make contact w/ Jonah Winter about mirroring your material.
It is obvious that every Baha’i ,whether born into a Baha’i family or found the Faith,has been on a spiritual journey. I too have travelled a long and winding road, many times losing my way or crashing off the path. Perhaps one day God and Baha’u’llah will assist me in telling my story of how they have guided me. Allah’u’abha
It is so touching to see all the stories. My childhood was spent in Chatham, Kent. My parents, like many around us, were nominally Church of England, but lost whatever faith they had during the Second Word War. They allowed myself, my 2 brothers and my sister, to attend whatever church we wanted. I identified as a Christian but floated between churches. It was only after migrating, as a family, to Australia that things changed for me. My parents decided that the housing estate was having a detrimental effect on our upbringing and a fresh start was needed.
In Australia my teenage years were spent associating with many Christian churches. I was thrilled and involved in church activities to bring about the first attempt at a United Church. However, it was a disillusioning experience which made me question my faith. I floated within the 60’s youth environment for a few years but saw it becoming too self centered and destructive. A change in work life coincided with my inner life challenges and it was through this I encountered 2 Baha’i youth as coworkers in the start of my IT career. It took a year of study, experience and achieving a state of heart where I could not deny Baha’u’llah and my life as a Baha’i commenced. 45 year later, I am still full of gratitude to those Baha’i youth and the Baha’i communities of the greater Adelaide area who nurtured me and set me in my path of service.
I have no recollection of ever encountering the name of Baha’u’llah while living in England but am grateful for environment which set me on my path of learning and growth.
what a warm story, it always makes me think deeply, what i would have become if i was not born in a Baha’i family. thank you