In the late 1950’s, the Higgins Family moved to Richmond from Flint, Michigan and established a permanent Bahá’í presence in Richmond and later in Henrico County. The matriarch of the family, Emily Higgins, was taught the faith in the 1930’s by Hand of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker, and survives today living in Henrico at the tender age of 100 years.  Her daughter and son are active members in the local Henrico and Richmond Bahá'í communities respectively.

In the late 1960’s, others moved into Richmond to teach the Faith and, with a number of new declarants, helped form the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Richmond in 1970.  Soon after in 1974, another Assembly was formed in Henrico County, and in the 1980’s a third Local Assembly formed in Chesterfield County.  Around the late 1990’s a fourth Assembly came into existence for Hanover County.

Today, these four Spiritual Assemblies constitute the major Bahá’í communities in Central Virginia. Along with our fledging sister communities in Petersburg and West Point, and scattered believers in Amelia and Goochland Counties, there are now almost 200 Bahá’ís residing in the greater metropolitan area.

Bahá'í college students and faculty were also instrumental in forming a Bahá'í Association on the Virginia Commonwealth University Campus in the early 1970's to offer the Bahá'í message to students and faculty.  The VCU Bahá'í Association remains functional to this day.

BAHÁ'Í COMMUNITY LIFE

Our communities are organized by geopolitical boundaries (cities, towns, and counties).  Bahá’ís who reside in a particular city or county are members of that community and worship together along with other planned activities, classes, observances of Bahá’í Holy Days, and attendance at Feast. 

The central function of Bahá'í community life is the observance of the Nineteen Day Feast, observed 19 times a year (19 x 19 = 361). The Nineteen Day Feast is a gathering for Bahá'ís only due to the consultation within the community over business, finances, schools, and other activities. Other aspects of "Feast" include devotional and social elements. The remaining  4 or 5 days in the solar calendar are observed in late February and early March as Ayyám-i-Há (a.k.a. Intercalary Days) or Days of Hospitality, gift giving, charity, and service. 

Bahá'ís gather on April 20 every year to elect a new local governing body - Local Spiritual Assembly - for their respective community, made up of nine adults (provided at least 9 adults reside in that community who are eligible for election).  There is no campaigning or electioneering.  Ballots are cast in secret, with the nine holding the highest plurality declared the new Assembly.  In like manner, at the first meeting of the new LSA, officers are elected to fill administrative posts.  There is no clergy or priesthood in the Bahá'í Faith 

April 20 is also special as it marks the beginning of the Festival of Ridván (Paradise) marking the declaration of Bahá'u'lláh in 1863 to His family and close followers, while still a prisoner in Baghdad, that he was the One foretold as the Promised One of all religions. The 1st, 9th, and 12th days of Ridván are observed, corresponding with April 21, 29, and May 2.

Bahá'u'lláh's birth (November 12) and His ascension (May 29) are observed, as are the dates for the Declaration of The Báb (May 23), His birth (October 20), and His martyrdom (July 9).