OUR HISTORY

It all started when...

The Unity Movement began over 100 years ago.  The founders were Myrtle and Charles Fillmore.  The theological foundation of Unity lies in the Truth Principles as taught through the Ministry of Jesus the Christ and interpreted by Unity Worldwide Ministries and the Association of Unity Churches International.  Both of these entities are located at Unity Village, Missouri, which is the international headquarters of the Unity Movement.

In 1969 a small study group began to gather interested in the spiritual and philosophical teaching and tenets as taught by Unity.  During the start-up phase the study group held services and classes at the Ivanhoe Temple located at 1600 E. Linwood Blvd. The study group grew.  One year later the group moved to a theater located at 5921 Prospect. In 1971 the church became an official affiliate church of Unity Worldwide Ministries and officially adopted the name Unity Southeast Church.

The overarching purpose of Unity Southeast Church continues to be to provide a forum and an opportunity for spiritual growth.  Our focused goal is empowerment and transformation of its members through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the demonstration of Truth Principles as taught by Unity Worldwide Ministries.

The church remained at the 59th and Prospect location until a flood devastated the property in 1977. The church began the process of looking for a permanent home after the flood.  In 1978 the church purchased the Christian Science building located at 3421 E. Myer Blvd, where it still remains to this day.

Since its beginning Unity Southeast has had 8 Senior Ministers.  The first was Rev Wentworth Jenkins; his tenure was from January 1970 to May 1987.  The second Minister was Rev. Maurice Williams; his tenure was from June 1988 to June 1995.  The third Minister was Rev. Ken Williams; his tenure was from May 1996 to June 1997. The fourth Minister was Rev. Linda Poole Kennedy.  Rev. Kennedy held the position from July 1997 to August 2004.  The fifth Minister was Rev. Kevin Ross and his tenure was from May 2007 to June 2009.  The sixth Co-Ministers were Rev. Tom and Therese Lee.  They were Senior Ministers from July 2009 to February 2012.  Rev. Tom Lee died in February 2012 and his wife resigned from the church in May 2012.  Rev. Gloria Holt was Associate Minister at the time of Rev. Tom’s death.  She became the seventh Senior Minister in June 2012. In November of 2016, Rev. Gloria Holt requested Rev. Randy Fikki be brought on and to be mentored by her to prepare for her retirement. In July 2017, Rev. Randy Fikki moved into his role as the Senior Minister/Spiritual Director. In July 2022, Rev. Eliasa Sabogal was brought on to assist Rev. Randy as an Associate Minister.

Rev. Randy Fikki continually pushes our community to be more like Christ In Action and has encouraged us to focus first on being spiritual-centered, and has also encouraged us to be more Socially Responsive, Radically Inclusive And Spiritually Progressive.

Over the past few years, the church has added many alternative services/classes in-person and online on Wednesday Evenings, Thursday Evenings, and Saturday Mornings to create a space for those who desire to be more spiritual and less religious. These services/classes include Conversations in The Lighthouse, A Course In Miracles, Ebb And Flow, Authentic Relating, Metaphysical Bible Study, And Healing In The Living Room.