GURU NANAK MISSION SIKH CENTER HISTORY, MISSION & VISION
In the summer of 1989, the Sikh settlers in Kern County opened their first Gurdwara (Sikh House of Worship) under the name of the “Sikh Temple of Bakersfield” located at 1925 Planz Road, Bakersfield, California. Subsequently, the Sikh Temple of Bakersfield’s name was changed to “Sikh Center of Southern San Joaquin Valley.”
In 1997, a group of Sikh leaders came across an opportunity to purchase 17 acres of land between South “H” street and Freeway 99, sharing its south boundary with an existing church, a highly desirable location to build a Gurdwara and other community facilities. In 2003 the group formed the Guru Nanak Mission of Bakersfield a California religious corporation. The Guru Nanak Mission held its inaugural religious services at this location in January 2007.
In March 2007, the Guru Nanak Mission of Bakersfield and the Sikh Center of Southern San Joaquin Valley formed a joint task force to study the feasibility of merging the two religious corporations. In June 2007 the joint task force completed its report. It unanimously recommended that merging the two corporations would be in the best interest of the young and growing Bakersfield Sikh community. The task force concluded that the merger of the two religious corporations would enable the Sikh community to pool its financial and human resources to establish an institution capable of providing spiritual, educational, and social services to the Bakersfield community.
In July 2007 both corporations were officially merged and the surviving corporation adopted the name of “Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center”. The Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center continued to hold religious services at both locations until April 29, 2012, when both congregations were merged at its present location of 8601 South “H” Street, Bakersfield, California 93307.
On Sunday, April 12, 2015, Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center held a groundbreaking ceremony to construct Darbar Hall (congregation hall). The representatives of the world’s major religions (Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian) participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, and each religious leader offered a prayer according to his / her faith for world peace and the well-being of humanity. The Darbar Hall Construction has been completed, and in August 2024, the city of Bakersfield issued the occupancy permit.
During the past few years, the Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center Sangat (congregation) has been consistently growing. The growth in the Sangat posed new challenges and opportunities. In September 2023, with the support of Sangat, volunteer teachers, and Gurdwara Sahib staff, Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center management started Guru Nanak Mission Khalsa School (a Sunday Punjabi school). During the 2023-24 academic year, 85 students completed their first class, and for the 2024-25 academic year, 86 students have been enrolled in the Punjabi class.
Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center playgrounds are utilized by the Sports Association of Bakersfield as their home field to practice and host cricket tournaments. On September 28, 2024, Guru Nanak Mission in collaboration with “Shabad Guru Kabaddi Academy International” hosted its first Kabaddi tournament. This is the beginning of a new chapter in the Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center’s history and a giant step to start moving forward to fulfill the community’s vision and aspirations.
The entire project will be completed in four phases. The Darbar Hall, Langar Hall, and parking facilities are part of the first phase. Upon completion of all phases, this institution will have a Sunday School, Senior Citizen Center, Community Service Center, Library buildings, soccer field, and other playgrounds for the youth and it is envisioned to be a focal point for the Bakersfield and surrounding area Sikh Communities.
The Management of Guru Nanak Mission Sikh Center is looking forward to utilizing its New Darbar Hall to spread Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s message of human equality, social justice, love, peace, and harmony. Sikhs always conclude their daily prayer by seeking the well-being and prosperity of the entire humanity:
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ !
Nanak, The True Name Forever Ascends, May the Entire Humanity Prosper Under Your Grace
