His maternal grandfather, Charles Mason, was the first Chief Justice of Iowa and candidate for governor in 1867. Remey's parents raised him in the Episcopal Church.
Before his death, Remey's followers split into several rival factions, with current membership at less than one hundred each in two of the surviving groups. ==Background== Born in Burlington, Iowa, on 15 May 1874, Remey was the eldest of six children from Rear Admiral George Collier Remey and Mary Josephine Mason Remey.
From 1904 to 1908, he became an instructor of architecture at George Washington University. While studying in Paris Remey learned of the Baháʼí Faith from May (Bolles) Maxwell, the first Baháʼí in Paris, and he accepted it on 31 December 1899, becoming the third Baháʼí in the city.
From Paris, Remey went on pilgrimage and met ʻAbdu'l-Bahá first in February 1901, then in spring/summer that year Mírzá Abu'l-Faḍl visited Paris and taught the Baháʼís there. ===Baháʼí service, 1903-1950=== After embracing the Baháʼí Faith in Paris, Remey returned to Washington, D.C., and became a prominent author, public speaker, and organizer.
From Paris, Remey went on pilgrimage and met ʻAbdu'l-Bahá first in February 1901, then in spring/summer that year Mírzá Abu'l-Faḍl visited Paris and taught the Baháʼís there. ===Baháʼí service, 1903-1950=== After embracing the Baháʼí Faith in Paris, Remey returned to Washington, D.C., and became a prominent author, public speaker, and organizer.
From 1904 to 1908, he became an instructor of architecture at George Washington University. While studying in Paris Remey learned of the Baháʼí Faith from May (Bolles) Maxwell, the first Baháʼí in Paris, and he accepted it on 31 December 1899, becoming the third Baháʼí in the city.
His first pamphlet was published in 1905 and was among the first material on the religion available to American Baháʼís.
They were concentrated in New Mexico. ==Works== Remey wrote several pamphlets that were among the first available to Americans: Unity: The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (February 1905). The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (June 1906). The Bahai Movement-A Teaching of Peace (May 1911). The Covenant (November 1912). Some Vital Bahai Principles'' (1917?). He also published two books about his travels: Remey was a prolific writer.
They were concentrated in New Mexico. ==Works== Remey wrote several pamphlets that were among the first available to Americans: Unity: The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (February 1905). The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (June 1906). The Bahai Movement-A Teaching of Peace (May 1911). The Covenant (November 1912). Some Vital Bahai Principles'' (1917?). He also published two books about his travels: Remey was a prolific writer.
Remey proposed the idea to the Baha'is in Washington to organize the first local Spiritual Assembly in the city, which he was elected to on 14 March 1907.
He made a second pilgrimage to see ʻAbdu'l-Bahá in 1907, and returned in 1908, 1909, 1914, and 1921.
From 1904 to 1908, he became an instructor of architecture at George Washington University. While studying in Paris Remey learned of the Baháʼí Faith from May (Bolles) Maxwell, the first Baháʼí in Paris, and he accepted it on 31 December 1899, becoming the third Baháʼí in the city.
He made a second pilgrimage to see ʻAbdu'l-Bahá in 1907, and returned in 1908, 1909, 1914, and 1921.
He traveled extensively to lecture in the interests of the faith, visiting Iran, Russia, and Central asia in 1908, and in 1910 became the first Baháʼí to circle the globe on teaching trips, along with his companion Howard Struven.
He made a second pilgrimage to see ʻAbdu'l-Bahá in 1907, and returned in 1908, 1909, 1914, and 1921.
became the third most influential group of American Baháʼís in the first decade of the 20th century (after Chicago and New York), because of "its talented membership, which included leaders such as Laura Barney, Mason Remey, and Pauline Hannen." At the first national convention of American Baháʼís in March 1909, Remey was the delegate representing Washington, and was elected to the executive committee of the "Bahai Temple Unity", a precursor to the National Spiritual Assembly.
In part due to his fear of global cataclysm, Remey compiled much of his records and in 1940 he provided copies to several public libraries, requesting them not to be opened until 1995. ===Marriage=== According to Juliet Thompson's diary, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá suggested that she marry Remey, and in 1909 asked her how she felt about it.
He traveled extensively to lecture in the interests of the faith, visiting Iran, Russia, and Central asia in 1908, and in 1910 became the first Baháʼí to circle the globe on teaching trips, along with his companion Howard Struven.
They were concentrated in New Mexico. ==Works== Remey wrote several pamphlets that were among the first available to Americans: Unity: The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (February 1905). The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (June 1906). The Bahai Movement-A Teaching of Peace (May 1911). The Covenant (November 1912). Some Vital Bahai Principles'' (1917?). He also published two books about his travels: Remey was a prolific writer.
They were concentrated in New Mexico. ==Works== Remey wrote several pamphlets that were among the first available to Americans: Unity: The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (February 1905). The Revelation of Baha 'Ullah (June 1906). The Bahai Movement-A Teaching of Peace (May 1911). The Covenant (November 1912). Some Vital Bahai Principles'' (1917?). He also published two books about his travels: Remey was a prolific writer.
He made a second pilgrimage to see ʻAbdu'l-Bahá in 1907, and returned in 1908, 1909, 1914, and 1921.
In 1917-1918 Remey chaired a committee investigating the Chicago Reading Room, a study group that combined the teachings of Baháʼu'lláh with those of an Bostonian occultist, ultimately expelling its members as "violators".
He made a second pilgrimage to see ʻAbdu'l-Bahá in 1907, and returned in 1908, 1909, 1914, and 1921.
Thompson anguished over her decision, which she felt would cause ʻAbdu'l-Baha disappointment. During the 1930s, Remey lived in Washington, D.C.
He was briefly married to heiress Gertrude Heim Klemm from 17 July 1931 until her suicide on 5 August 1932 (Klemm's gravestone gives the Paris wedding as 11 July).
He was briefly married to heiress Gertrude Heim Klemm from 17 July 1931 until her suicide on 5 August 1932 (Klemm's gravestone gives the Paris wedding as 11 July).
He spent much of it on two projects: his mansion in Washington, and the "Remeum". Remey contracted with Pohick Church in 1937 to build a huge family mausoleum on its grounds in Virginia, to be located on five acres of land about one half-mile south of the church building.
Construction began in 1939.
In part due to his fear of global cataclysm, Remey compiled much of his records and in 1940 he provided copies to several public libraries, requesting them not to be opened until 1995. ===Marriage=== According to Juliet Thompson's diary, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá suggested that she marry Remey, and in 1909 asked her how she felt about it.
Besides dissolving the institutions that he had organized, Remey began focusing on impending global catastrophe and critizing Shoghi Effendi. In the late 1940s, he expressed his belief that nuclear war would destroy much of the world, and by the 1960s he stated publicly that the earth's axis would tilt and produce global floods.
These beliefs were the foundation of why he deposited copies of his memoirs in several prominent libraries in 1940, to ensure that a set would survive. In 1966 he became very critical of Shoghi Effendi.
Under the guidance of Shoghi Effendi, his designs were used in the temples in Kampala and Sydney (pictured), both dedicated in 1961. Before 1944 a site was selected and purchased for a House of Worship in Tehran, Iran.
The Remeum was never finished. Problems soon developed in the 1950s, and the mausoleum site became the target of vandals.
Little remains on the site to mark the former presence of the complex save an obelisk dedicated to Remey's parents and a pair of structures which served as chimneys or vents. Robert Stockman wrote: ==Service in Haifa, 1950-1959== In November 1950, Shoghi Effendi announced to a small group, including Remey, his intention of appointing them to an International Baháʼí Council.
As an architect, he designed the Houses of Worship in Kampala and Sydney, both dedicated in 1961, as well as the International Archives building in Haifa. In 1951 he was appointed by Shoghi Effendi as the president of the International Baháʼí Council, and later as a Hand of the Cause.
Remey moved his residence from Washington to Haifa, and the public announcement of the Council was made on 9 January 1951.
The Council was the first international Baháʼí body, intended to be a forerunner to the Universal House of Justice while forging links with authorities in the newly emerged Israel, assisting with the completion of the Shrine of the Báb, and negotiating for status as a religious court in Israel. Remey was appointed president of the council in March 1951, with Amelia Collins as vice-president.
A further announcement in March 1952 appointed several more officers to the Council and Rúhíyyih Khánum as the liaison between the Council and the Guardian. Remey was included in Shoghi Effendi's first contingent of 12 appointments to the rank of Hand of the Cause on 24 December 1951.
A further announcement in March 1952 appointed several more officers to the Council and Rúhíyyih Khánum as the liaison between the Council and the Guardian. Remey was included in Shoghi Effendi's first contingent of 12 appointments to the rank of Hand of the Cause on 24 December 1951.
Remey attended all four international teaching conferences in 1953, in Kampala, Chicago, Stockholm, and New Delhi. During this time he continued several Baháʼí architectural projects. ===Death of Shoghi Effendi=== The Baháʼí world entered a leadership crisis upon the death of Shoghi Effendi, who died without children or an appointed successor.
As a preventative measure, the entrance was bricked up to prevent access, but the wall was breached in 1956 by high school boys with axes, as reported by the Morning Star: By 1958 the church vestry became concerned, and in 1962 refused to grant permission for any more work to be done on the site.
When Shoghi Effendi died in 1957, Remey and the other Hands signed a declaration that he died without leaving a designated successor as Guardian.
It now stands in the upper hall of the Mansion of Bahjí. Remey also designed the International Archives Building, completed in 1957.
All male descendants of Baha'u'llah were either dead or excommunicated, and the hereditary institution of the Guardian was defunct. When Shoghi Effendi died on 4 November 1957, Shoghi Effendi's personal room and safe were sealed and constantly guarded.
As a preventative measure, the entrance was bricked up to prevent access, but the wall was breached in 1956 by high school boys with axes, as reported by the Morning Star: By 1958 the church vestry became concerned, and in 1962 refused to grant permission for any more work to be done on the site.
In 1958 two American Hands, Paul Haney and Corinne True, and the NSA began circulating a document expressing their belief that the "door to the appointment of a second Guardian...
According to Remey, this idea developed gradually since the first conclave of the Hands, and at the second conclave (November 1958) he warned the others that they were violating Covenant by not allowing the continuation of the Guardianship.
is closed", but it was blocked by an urgent cablegram from the custodial Hands in Haifa, indicating that they were "greatly disturbed" and to delete all references to it. ==Claim to Guardianship, (1960-1974)== As early as January 1959, Remey believed that he was the second Guardian and successor to Shoghi Effendi.
At the third conclave (November 1959), Remey refused to sign the joint statement of the Hands, which was converting the International Council from an appointed to an elected body, an act that would end his position as president.
He is well-known for an attempted schism of 1960, in which he claimed leadership and was rejected by the overwhelming majority of Baháʼís, who regard him as a Covenant-breaker. Remey came from a distinguished naval family of Washington, D.C., and was among the first Baháʼís of the United States.
Remey was elected to serve as one of the nine custodial Hands, a body that became the interim leadership until the election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963. In 1960 Remey declared himself to be the second Guardian and expected the allegiance of the world's Baháʼís.
He then abandoned his position, moved to Washington, and began to circulate the claim that he should be recognized as the second Guardian. ===Proclamation=== In April 1960, Remey wrote an announcement that he was the successor to Shoghi Effendi, and requested that it be read at the upcoming national convention.
After a brief attempt at reconciliation and some hesitation among the Hands, he was declared a Covenant-breaker by all 26 remaining Hands of the Cause on 26 July 1960, along with anyone actively supporting his claims.
Besides dissolving the institutions that he had organized, Remey began focusing on impending global catastrophe and critizing Shoghi Effendi. In the late 1940s, he expressed his belief that nuclear war would destroy much of the world, and by the 1960s he stated publicly that the earth's axis would tilt and produce global floods.
As an architect, he designed the Houses of Worship in Kampala and Sydney, both dedicated in 1961, as well as the International Archives building in Haifa. In 1951 he was appointed by Shoghi Effendi as the president of the International Baháʼí Council, and later as a Hand of the Cause.
Under the guidance of Shoghi Effendi, his designs were used in the temples in Kampala and Sydney (pictured), both dedicated in 1961. Before 1944 a site was selected and purchased for a House of Worship in Tehran, Iran.
Accurate estimates on size are scarce and dated. ===Joel Marangella=== In 1961 Joel Marangella (b.
In 1969 Marangella made an announcement that the letter of 1961 was Remey's appointment of him as the third Guardian, and that he had been the Guardian since 1964, invalidating Remey's pronouncements from that point forward. Marangella gained the support of most of Remey's followers, who came to be known as Orthodox Baháʼís.
As a preventative measure, the entrance was bricked up to prevent access, but the wall was breached in 1956 by high school boys with axes, as reported by the Morning Star: By 1958 the church vestry became concerned, and in 1962 refused to grant permission for any more work to be done on the site.
The number of people who recognized his claim had greatly diminished by the time of his death. ===Burial=== From 1962, Remey resided in Florence, Italy, and died there on 4 February 1974, at the age of 99.
Remey was elected to serve as one of the nine custodial Hands, a body that became the interim leadership until the election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963. In 1960 Remey declared himself to be the second Guardian and expected the allegiance of the world's Baháʼís.
The drawing of it was published in The Bahá'í World XIV: 1963-1968, p. 495.
From there he appointed three local spiritual assemblies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and Lucknow, India, then organized the election of two National Assemblies in 1963 - in the united states and Pakistan. In 1964 the Santa Fe assembly filed a lawsuit against the National Spiritual Assembly (NSA) of the Baháʼís of the United States to receive the legal title to the Baháʼí House of Worship in Illinois, and all other property owned by the NSA.
1918) received a letter from Remey, and a note that, "...in or after 1963.
From there he appointed three local spiritual assemblies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and Lucknow, India, then organized the election of two National Assemblies in 1963 - in the united states and Pakistan. In 1964 the Santa Fe assembly filed a lawsuit against the National Spiritual Assembly (NSA) of the Baháʼís of the United States to receive the legal title to the Baháʼí House of Worship in Illinois, and all other property owned by the NSA.
You will know when to break the seal." In 1964 Remey appointed members to a second International Baháʼí Council with Marangella as president, significant due to Remey's claim to Guardianship being based on the same appointment.
In 1969 Marangella made an announcement that the letter of 1961 was Remey's appointment of him as the third Guardian, and that he had been the Guardian since 1964, invalidating Remey's pronouncements from that point forward. Marangella gained the support of most of Remey's followers, who came to be known as Orthodox Baháʼís.
In 1965 Remey activated the council, and in 1966 wrote letters passing the "affairs of the Faith" to the council, then later dissolving it.
In 1966, Remey asked the Santa Fe assembly to dissolve, as well as the second International Baháʼí Council that he had appointed with Joel Marangella, residing in France, as president. ===Fracturing=== Beginning in 1966-67, Remey was abandoned by almost all of his followers, and his movement began to weaken and decline rapidly.
These beliefs were the foundation of why he deposited copies of his memoirs in several prominent libraries in 1940, to ensure that a set would survive. In 1966 he became very critical of Shoghi Effendi.
In 1965 Remey activated the council, and in 1966 wrote letters passing the "affairs of the Faith" to the council, then later dissolving it.
The group claimed a United States membership of about 40 in a 2007 court case. ===Donald Harvey=== Donald Harvey was appointed by Remey as "Third Guardian" in 1967, and the first of five "elders", but he later dissolved the body of elders.
Soon negotiations began to break the original contract; in 1968 the property reverted to the church, and Remey was given five years to remove anything of value from the site.
In 1969 Marangella made an announcement that the letter of 1961 was Remey's appointment of him as the third Guardian, and that he had been the Guardian since 1964, invalidating Remey's pronouncements from that point forward. Marangella gained the support of most of Remey's followers, who came to be known as Orthodox Baháʼís.
In 1969 he traveled to Italy with the hope of having Remey pass affairs over to him, but instead was labeled with the "station of satan".
He called the group the "Orthodox Baháʼí Faith under the Regency" and held at least three annual conferences in the 1970s.
Since 1971, an obelisk has marked the location where it will be constructed.
After the last of the bodies was removed, the Remeum was demolished beginning in 1973 on the orders of the Episcopal church, and the last of the aboveground ruins was finally bulldozed ten years later.
They were not organized until several of them began forming their own groups based on different understandings of succession, even before his death in 1974.
The number of people who recognized his claim had greatly diminished by the time of his death. ===Burial=== From 1962, Remey resided in Florence, Italy, and died there on 4 February 1974, at the age of 99.
King died in 1977 and left a will appointing his three sons and a daughter-in-law as a council of regents, who changed their name to "Tarbiyat Baha'i Community".
Jensen made headlines for predicting a nuclear holocaust in 1980, and his followers became the subject of academic studies in cognitive dissonance.
Membership peaked in 1980 with 150-200, but declined after the failed prophecy of 1980.
One source estimated them at no more than 100 members in 1988, with the largest concentration being 11 in Roswell, New Mexico.
By 1990 there were fewer than 100 adherents, and defection continued in the 1990s and beyond.
When Harvey died in 1991, leadership went to Jacques Soghomonian, and when he died in 2013 it passed to E.S.
In part due to his fear of global cataclysm, Remey compiled much of his records and in 1940 he provided copies to several public libraries, requesting them not to be opened until 1995. ===Marriage=== According to Juliet Thompson's diary, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá suggested that she marry Remey, and in 1909 asked her how she felt about it.
The group claimed a United States membership of about 40 in a 2007 court case. ===Donald Harvey=== Donald Harvey was appointed by Remey as "Third Guardian" in 1967, and the first of five "elders", but he later dissolved the body of elders.
When Harvey died in 1991, leadership went to Jacques Soghomonian, and when he died in 2013 it passed to E.S.
It was to be four times the size of Pohick Church, using over two million bricks, and costing over a million dollars ($18.9 million in 2021 dollars).
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