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)
