Unity Church
Unity is a spiritual organization founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1889. It grew out of Transcendentalism and became part of the New Thought movement.[1] Unity may be best known for its Daily Word devotional publication begun in 1924. Originally based in Christianity with emphasis on the Bible, Unity more recently has said it offers "positive, practical Christianity" and describes itself as "for people who might call themselves spiritual but not religious."[2]
Not to be confused with Unitarianism, Unitarian Universalism, the United Church of Christ, or the Unification Church.Unity Spiritual Movement
History[edit]
Unity was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1889 by Charles Fillmore (1854–1948) and Myrtle Fillmore (1845–1931) after Mrs. Fillmore had been cured of her tuberculosis, she believed, by spiritual healing. To learn more about spiritual principles, the Fillmores studied the teachings of world religions and the links between science and religion. They were influenced by Dr. E. B. Weeks, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emma Curtis Hopkins and Mary Baker Eddy (the founder of Christian Science).
Although Unity School of Christianity was not incorporated until 1914, the Fillmores began publishing their first magazine, Modern Thought, in April 1889. Later magazines included Wee Wisdom (for children) and Daily Word. In 1891 the Fillmores named the movement Unity and began publishing in 1903 with Lessons in Truth by H. Emilie Cady. In 1906, Mr. and Mrs. Fillmore accepted ordination and ordained seven other ministers.[10][11]
After World War I, Unity Village, which became a 1,200-acre incorporated town, was developed 15 miles southeast of Kansas City beginning with the purchase of a farm. Originally a weekend getaway for the Fillmores' downtown employees, Unity Village is now headquarters for the prayer and publishing work of the Unity spiritual movement.
After Charles Fillmore's death, the movement was initially led by the Fillmores’ sons and grandchildren.[9] Great-granddaughter Connie Fillmore stepped down as president in 2001. Governance was then converted to a CEO and board comprising Unity ministers and outside business people.
The mission of Unity World Headquarters is to help and serve through prayer, publishing, and community. Unity World Headquarters offers resources to people of all faiths including magazines, booklets, videos, books, meditations, retreats, and events.
The Unity Prayer Ministry, also known as Silent Unity, has been praying with people of all faiths worldwide continuously for more than a century. Prayer associates respond to more than 1 million prayer requests each year by letter, phone, email, and social media.
Organization[edit]
Individual Unity churches are autonomous, each governed by its own board and minister. Minister training, ministerial placement, and educational resources are supported by Unity Worldwide Ministries, a separate nonprofit organization that leases office space at Unity Village from Unity World Headquarters. Unity Worldwide Ministries counts 650 churches and 1,700 licensed and ordained leaders worldwide.
Notable members[edit]
Well-known people affiliated with Unity include Della Reese,[19][20] Betty White,[21][20] Eleanor Powell,[22] Lucie Arnaz,[23] David Friedman,[24] Wally Amos,[20] actress Michael Learned,[25] Licensed Unity Teacher Ruth Warrick,[26] Barbara Billingsley, Theodore Schneider, Erykah Badu, Matt Hoverman, author Victoria Moran,[27] Patricia Neal,[28] Johnnie Colemon, and Maya Angelou.[20][29][30]