The earliest recorded Bahá’ís in Devon, according to one source, were Mrs Scaramucci, who ran a sweet shop in South Zeal, near Okehampton; and Connie Langdon Davies, who lived in Dartington, near Totnes, in 1930.
The first persons to “declare” themselves as Bahá’ís, according to another source, were Mrs Langdon Davies and Mrs Lilian Stevens in Torquay in 1937. They had been introduced to the Faith in about 1936 by the artist Mark Tobey of Dartington Hall and Mrs Helen Bishop. (Obviously, some more research is needed in order to clarify the situation concerning Mrs Langdon Davies.)
The first Bahá’í local spiritual assembly in Devon was formed in Torquay on 21 April 1939. One of its members was the potter Bernard Leach. The Bahá’í Centre for about 21 years was at 14 Market Street, Torquay. It was here in June 1941 that Hasan Balyuzi was married to Molly Brown by David Hofman. Hasan Balyuzi was, at the the time, the vice-chairman of the British National Spiritual Assembly and was later appointed as a Hand of the Cause of God by the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Shoghi Effendi. Molly Brown was a ballet dancer and the daughter of Kathleen Brown (later Lady Hornell), one of England’s most active and steadfast Bahá’ís.
Shoghi Effendi also visited Torquay and is said to have got the idea for the red sandstone paths at the Bahá’í World Centre from those he saw in Torquay.
The Present Day
At present there are Bahá’ís living in most parts of Devon. In addition, there are Bahá’í local spiritual assemblies in Exeter and Plymouth. For further information about Bahá’í activities in Devon please leave a comment below.
Dear Jeremy
What a lovely site you have set up in Tiverton/Devon.
I do hope you are encouraging the local Baha’is to advertise it.
Life here in the U.S. is good. I have just finished a course offered by the Wilmette Institute entitled ‘Springboard for the Five Year Plan’. I am also involved with a Ruhi Book 8 which we hope will be completed next Sunday in our home. And along with teaching at two weekly children’s classes, that just about keeps us out of trouble, well nearly…!
I remember so well the first time we met at the Tiverton Centre, where you were with the Athletic Club.
Please give my greetings to those who know me.
Loving Baha’i Greetings Carole Lulham (Huxtable)