Tim brought in the best artists in the Kansas City area to perform. Tim Whitmer presented a monthly Jazz concert in an auditorium setting. Spirituality and All That Jazz, a revolutionary new program started in 1994. Today, Unity Temple has over 20 12-step group meetings weekly with an attendance of over 300 people. 12-step support groups became popular for those seeking recovery. By the nineties, society was changing, and people were becoming more aware of alcohol and drug abuse. In the mid-1980s, three retired men from the railroad began to meet once a week at Unity Temple to facilitate an AA support group. World renowned speakers were brought to Kansas City to speak at Unity Temple. In 1993, The Cornerstone Foundation was founded as the Temple’s Speakers’ Forum. Unity Temple soon grew from a church that offered Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services to a bustling center with spiritual classes, services, workshops, support groups and many other activities, seven days a week. New ways of providing spiritual support and healthy lifestyles began to emerge. In 1991 Unity Temple merges with the Myrtle Fillmore Center and Duke Tufty assumes leadership.Īround that same time, it became clear that church and religion needed to evolve and adapt to the changing times. ![]() The bonds issued and all debt on Unity Temple was completely retired in 1960. Added later was the phrase, “A place where diversity is praised, and peace and harmony are the rewards.” The building was dedicated as a haven of rest and inspiration for all people. June 20, 1948, after 15 years in the planning and five years of construction, Unity Temple opened its doors to the public. Money came in from all over the world, and from over 100,000 different people. Lowell presented his vision to the world and the world responded. When faced with the increased costs, he said, “We will go ahead.” Unity Temple Bonds were issued. After being turned down by every bank contacted, Lowell Fillmore, head of the Building Committee, knew the only way to fund the Temple was through issuing building bonds. Instead of the total cost being $600,000 it would now cost over $1,000,000. ![]() In July of 1945 sixty five thirty-foot pillars and approximately 199,000 bricks came together on the corner of 47th and Jefferson and Charles’ vision of the Temple began to manifest in the physical realm.Ībout a year later the construction company retained for the project declared that due to the shortage of materials there was to be a steep increase in the price of building the Temple. In 1939 World War II broke out causing a shortage of building material, fuel and construction workers, delaying further the building of the Temple. Within a year after the purchase of the land the Great Depression began. Unity Temple was fifteen years in the planning stage. This land would be the future home of the Myrtle Fillmore Temple on the Plaza, later to become known as Unity Temple on the Plaza. The Temple would be dedicated to his wife, Myrtle.Ĭharles bought a lot on the corner of 47th and Jefferson and committed to paying $5000 a year for eight years. He had a vision of a magnificent Temple on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. He believed all people had the capacity to realize their desires if they had emotionally charged faith. ![]() Charles Fillmore was a dreamer and a visionary.
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