Thou hast asked about places of worship and the underlying
reason therefor. The wisdom in raising up such buildings is that at a given
hour, the people should know it is time to meet, and all should gather
together, and, harmoniously attuned one to another, engage in prayer; with the
result that out of this coming together, unity and affection shall grow and
flourish in the human heart.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’
The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation
and the Devotional Attitude)
