Source: The Baltimore Sun

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/howard/bal-ho.bahai20jun20,0,1539681.story?coll=bal-local-howard

On June 20, 2003 The Baltimore Sun reported that "after decades of meeting in borrowed spaces, the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Howard County is seeking to build what would be the only center for its faith in Maryland... More than 200 followers of the religion - founded in 19th-century Persia and professing the oneness of God, religions and humanity - have settled in the county over the past 30 years. About 80 to 100 people now come to services, often held in Columbia's interfaith centers... But some residents along Columbia's northern border fear the expansion of businesses along Route 108 and have vehemently opposed several petitions to change to commercial rezoning along the busy, two-lane road to Clarksville - including that of the Baha'is."