[custom_adv] ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (1844 – 1921), was the eldest son of Baháʼu'lláh and served as head of the Baháʼí Faith from 1892 until 1921. ʻAbdu'l-Bahá was later canonized as the last of three "central figures" of the religion, along with Baháʼu'lláh and the Báb, and his writings and authenticated talks are regarded as a source of Baháʼí sacred literature. [custom_adv] When Abdu’l-Baha toured the United States in 1912, He spent time at 1429 Mayfield Street in Philadelphia — home to Mary Revell and her two daughters, Jessie and Ethel. [custom_adv] This was the only Baha’i home in Philadelphia that Abdu-Baha visited. While the Master visited the private homes of many early American Baha’is, only four of them are now owned by the American Baha’i community. The Revell house is one of them. Hand of the Cause Rahmatu’llah Muhajir called it “the holiest site in Philadelphia.” [custom_adv] In 2003, the Local Spiritual Assembly of Philadelphia purchased the property, which had become derelict. With permission from the National Spiritual Assembly we managed to raise the necessary funds to fully restore the house to its original condition, when Abdu’l-Baha visited. We are proud to announce, that with your help the Revell house is now ready to have visitors as a place for reflection, gathering and pilgrimage. [custom_adv] The official Dedication Program took place on February 23, 2020 with a limited number of friends (about 40) including the Local Spiritual Assembly, representatives of the North Eastern Regional Baha’i Council, the Auxiliary Board Member, and surrounding Assemblies as well as our volunteers. Some residents from the neighborhood attended resulting from a general invitation having been extended. [custom_adv] The restoration took over four (4) years with the financial help of hundreds of Baha’is from around the world and many volunteers. The Philadelphia Spiritual Assembly has established an endowment fund for the continued maintenance and operation of the Revell House.
