Unity Church to Mark 50th Anniversary

Unity Church of the Valley will celebrate its 50th anniversary in its present location on Sunday, Dec. 4 at the 10:30 a.m. service led by Rev. Thomas E. Witherspoon in the sanctuary, 2817 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta. The church has been a presence in the area since 1937, but construction of its two-building complex was not completed until November 1955.

A luncheon for members and friends of the church is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. after the Sunday service in the Star Café in Montrose. Reservations are required.

Rev. Witherspoon became minister of the church in early 2000, and since that time, he, the board of trustees, and the members have worked together to restore and rebuild the facility in terms of new furniture, carpeting, stucco and repainting, sound and lighting equipment and a modern heating and cooling system.

“The church had fallen into disrepair, and attendance was declining in 2000,” Witherspoon said. “Thanks to God and hard work by a lot of people, including generous contributions toward renewal of the facility, we now have one of the most beautiful sanctuaries anyone might envision. We are praying that many of those who attended the church in years past might consider the Dec. 4 celebration to be a kind of homecoming event in their lives and come back and share this happy time with us.”

Rev. Norma Knight Jones is considered the founder of Unity in La Crescenta. She stared teaching Unity classes in 1937 in the Women’s Club. Rev. Dollee Phillips headed the church when it was incorporated and was the first official minister. Rev. Mary Gladys Adams led the church when its buildings were constructed.

Rev. Witherspoon, was ordained 30 years ago. Prior to his seminary experience, he was an editor and publisher for daily newspapers in the Midwest. He also served eight years as editor in chief of the publishing branch of Unity School.

“We like to think of ourselves as being very ecumenical,” said Rev. Witherspoon. “Three other churches have services at our location on weekends and Alcoholics Anonymous has a presence with us. Many hundreds of people through the years have used our church for weddings, funerals, memorial services and baptisms.”

Unity Church of the Valley is associated with Unity School of Christianity, publishers of Daily Word and home for the Silent Unity Prayer ministry and is a member of the Association of Unity churches.

Rev. Witherspoon describes Unity as a positive thinking movement, strongly based on ideas espoused by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Transcendentalist leader of the 1800s. The founders of the movement were Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. Both Fillmores strongly believed in the power of the individual and for each person to take responsibility for his or her life, working with God.

“People of all faiths can find something of value in the Unity experience,” Rev. Witherspoon said. “We are open and receptive to anyone who seeks a personal relationship with God and anyone who wants to find a new and positive way to live out their spirituality.”20051202iqqhcakn(LA)CELEBRATING-Unity Church of the Valley will mark its 50th anniversary on Dec. 4 at the 10:30 a.m. service followed by a luncheon at the Star Cafe in Montrose.