 History of Montclair Unity
Montclair Unity Center, a non-denominational group affiliated with the Unity School of Christianity in Lees Summit, Missouri, first met in a house on Gates Avenue in 1939. This group gathered together to study Unity teachings.
In 1941, this group moved to a meeting room on Midland Avenue, Montclair. At this time this group was known as a "Unity Society", as were most Unity study groups. Here, and at this time, the group became a Center with Miss Gladys Stevenson as its leader, and was incorporated in 1952.
Gladys Stevenson was a graduate of Bedford Institute, in Brooklyn. She also studied in Europe and trained for the Ministry at Unity's training School, as it was then named. After her ordination she did her practice training at the Unity Center in Brooklyn. Besides organizing the Montclair Center she helped organize and establish Centers at Paterson and Westfield. She later became Montclair Unity Center's first minister.
In 1943 Unity moved from Midland Avenue to South Fullerton Avenue, on the second floor of a private dwelling. this group met there for nineteen years
A plot of land on which there was a useless building was given to this study group and in March 1962, ground was broken for a Church at Orange Road and Myrtle Avenue. in the same year the process of constructing the first wing of the new Church was begun. The wing was expected to be finished and opened for services the first of September. Alfonso Alvarez of 204 Bellevue Avenue, Upper Montclair, was the Architect.
On November 4th, service was held at 11:00 am. The building was dedicated in February 1966. The name was changed from Unity Society to Montclair Unity Church. In the same year, Mrs. Marlowe Kline came to serve as Minister and was ordained in June 1969. In December of the same year, Reverend Kline put Dial-A-Prayer into operation.
Devotional services were each Sunday at 11 o'clock and on Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock. Classes were conducted Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons at 2 o'clock. The Center was open at 10:30 am weekdays.
This newly constructed building had a meeting room for services, consulting and reading rooms, and fellowship facilities. With its completion, this room would have been divided to provide a Silent Prayer room. the second wing, that they planned for later, would have had a seating capacity for 250 persons.
Unity is known all over the world for its progressive teachings of the practical applications of Jesus Christ and other master teachers. We acknowledge Jesus Christ as an enlightened teacher and way shower as we focus on his powerful teachings. There are 900+ Unity centers and over 2 million Unity students in more than 15 countries. Millions more know Unity through literature, the most widely read publication is the Daily Word. At this time, also, there are publications printed in multiple languages as well as Braille which is distributed free to the blind.
Unity Centers believe the principles of prosperity thus operating through free will offerings and tithes. They solely by the offerings of the congregation. Prayer groups within the centers respond to requests for help, and consulting and other services given by the minister.
Unity is totally non-denominational. Some call it trans-denominational. Combining new thought and ancient wisdom, it stresses likeness, not differences. The understanding is that all religions are can serves as paths of enlightenment. The belief in spiritual healing is paramount, yet balanced with faith in the process of individual discernment to seek medical and alternative assistance in healing. Membership in center does not conflict with any other church affiliation.
Unity is not a once-a-week religion. It is a way of life, a spiritual school of conscious awakening that unfolds our divine potential. It is more than a doctrine, it is an attitude of life. Unity embodies over a hundred years of prayer - prayer for anyone and everyone, prayer about anything, prayer without a price. Silent Unity prays with people of all faiths-Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and beyond. This year the prayer line will pray with over 700,000 callers and respond to over 2 million with letters of affirmation and prayer.
|
