A large domed building with classical architectural features, including columns and arches.

Bahá'í Temple (USA)

York white cement preserves elegance

The architectural structure that is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in the United States, makes extensive use of white Portland Cement manufactured at our production facility in York, Pennsylvania. The plant is part of the US subsidiary of Heidelberg Materials.

Original construction of the Bahá'í Temple’s concrete cladding commenced as far back as the 1930s, when John J. Earley – who is credited to be the father of architectural precast concrete – employed both cast-in-place and precast architectural concrete placed into plaster moulds to yield the intricate patterns and ornate reliefs that architect Louis Bourgeois envisioned for this one-of-a-kind project. Earley chose white cement from the York plant for its working consistency and bright white colour. The concrete complemented the white quartz stone used to give the exposed aggregate exterior its sparkling clean appearance.

Fortunately, the same dedication to quality is alive and well today at the York white cement plant, making it the natural choice for the Temple’s concrete repair and restoration project.

The Temple dome stands 50 meters (167 ft.) tall above ornate gardens on the western shore of Lake Michigan, roughly 20 km (12.5 miles) north of Chicago.

Project Data

  • Bahá'í

    Owner

  • Louis Bourgeois, John Joseph Earley, Washington, DC

    Architect

  • Earley Studio, Rosslyn, Virginia

    Contractor

  • 1930

    Completion

A large, domed white building with multiple levels of arched windows and ornate detailing. The structure is surrounded by a well-manicured lawn with a clear blue sky in the background.

Bahá'í Temple, USA. The architectural structure that is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in the United States, makes extensive use of white Portland Cement manufactured at Lehigh White Cement Company’s production facility in York, Pennsylvania.

A white building with intricate designs on its facade, leading up to a tower against a clear blue sky. The architectural details suggest its cultural significance.

Bahá'í Temple, USA. The architectural structure that is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in the United States, makes extensive use of white Portland Cement manufactured at Lehigh White Cement Company’s production facility in York, Pennsylvania.

A close-up view of an intricately designed building, looking upwards towards the sky. The architecture features detailed patterns on its surface, with a clear blue sky in the background.

Bahá'í Temple, USA. The architectural structure that is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in the United States, makes extensive use of white Portland Cement manufactured at Lehigh White Cement Company’s production facility in York, Pennsylvania.

A large, white building with a distinctive, tall dome structure at the center, surrounded by clear blue skies. The architecture of the building is notable for its grandeur and symmetry. Trees line either side of a central pathway leading up to the building, suggesting a formal garden setting.

Bahá'í Temple, USA. The architectural structure that is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in the United States, makes extensive use of white Portland Cement manufactured at Lehigh White Cement Company’s production facility in York, Pennsylvania.

A large domed building with classical architectural features, including columns and arches.

Bahá'í Temple, USA. The architectural structure that is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in the United States, makes extensive use of white Portland Cement manufactured at Lehigh White Cement Company’s production facility in York, Pennsylvania.

A majestic white building with a large dome and multiple arches, set against a clear blue sky, surrounded by greenery

Bahá'í Temple, USA. The architectural structure that is the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in the United States, makes extensive use of white Portland Cement manufactured at Lehigh White Cement Company’s production facility in York, Pennsylvania.