Unity Northwest History

Unity Northwest had its beginnings as a Unity study group. It began with the help of Dorothea Fowler, a member of Unity on the North Shore in Evanston, who had graduated as Licensed Unity Teacher (L.U.T.) from Unity School of Practical Christianity in 1958.

There were several members of the Evanston congregation living in Arlington Heights area who were interested in having classes.  On February 25, 1959, Dorothea taught her first class at the Pioneer Field House in Arlington Heights and there were six people in attendance. (In February 2009 we celebrated our 50 year anniversary for our founding date.)

In June, 1961, the now church moved to Masonic Temple in Arlington Heights with Dorothea Fowler as the Spiritual Leader. The church became incorporated August 30, 1963 under the name of Unity Northwest with fifty-nine charter members. Meanwhile Dorothea became Rev Dorothea when she was ordained June 16, 1964. 

In October of the same year, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Goede gave 1 ¾ acres of vacant property to Unity Northwest. The church bought 1 ½ additional acres including the Goede’s home to be converted into a church for $12,000. This was at 1801 Palatine Road in Arlington Heights. 

On June 17, 1985, Unity Northwest sold their property to a builder and purchased the present church at 259 East Central Road, Des Plaines, IL.

We honor and celebrate all of those who have served God and Unity Northwest.

• Rev. Dorothea Fowler     February 1959 to 1970

• Rev. Joe Jones    August 1970 to February 1987

• Benita Masterson L.U.T.   (Temporary)  March 1987 to October 1987

• Rev Violet Davis   October 1987 to December 1996

• Rev Richard Billings   (Interim)  January 1996 to June 1998

• Rev John Considine   July 1998 to March 2001

• Rev Adrianne Dorfman   (Interim)  September 2001 to January 2002

• Rev Jonathan Hutul   (Temporary)  January  2002 to May 2002

• Rev Patricia Pipia   May 2002 to June  2008

• Jo Ann Ballard L.U.T.  (Temporary)  June 2008 to August 2009

• Rev. Gregory Barrette   August 2009

What is Unity?

"A religious philosophy based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, stating that humanity is inseparable from the Spirit of God within and that through prayerful realization of the Spirit, we may obtain healing of all life's in harmonies in mind and body." - Webster's Dictionary

Unity is a positive, practical approach to spiritual growth. Unity is an open-ended faith, and Unity’s teachings are signposts which point the way to Truth that must ultimately be found within yourself and for yourself. We have no fixed creed and look to Jesus Christ as our Way-Shower. We use the Bible as our basic text, applying its teaching stories to everyday life rather than taking it literally.  Unity welcomes all people and honors all spiritual paths.

We believe that there is one Presence and Power in the universe, a spiritual energy that we call God. We believe that just as God is Spirit, so we too are spiritual beings sharing the adventure of human experience. In truth, we are one---one with each other and with all of life, because all of life is an integral part of the energy that is God.

We believe that God is present within us, seeking to express through us, as what we call the Christ within, and we recognize Jesus Christ as a perfect demonstration of our own potential. Jesus shows us what we can achieve in terms of healing, abundance, love and peace. He calls us to follow his example, to apply the same spiritual power within ourselves that he expresses. That spiritual growth is the purpose of life.