A Brief History of Unity South Church

 

In October of 1982, a group of people who were acquainted through Divine Science Church came together and decided to form their own church. After meeting regularly for awhile, under lay leadership at Lynnhurst Community Center in South Minneapolis, the group decided to affiliate with the Unity Church.

That winter, Bob Carlson, Rudy Arneson, and Leonard Anderson met with the Reverend Don Clark from Unity Christ Church in Golden Valley and requested his assistance in forming and sanctioning Unity South Church. In the spring of 1983, the new Unity South congregation began meeting at the old Lincoln High School in Bloomington. Don Clark and his wife, Vivian, were frequent speakers.

In September of 1983, the Reverend Pauline Beauregard agreed to serve as interim minister for six months until a permanent minister was hired. Pauline was responsible for organizing the church, hiring Donna Shand as part-time secretary, and for developing the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation which were filed in November of 1983. Soon after, the ministerial interview process of candidates from the Unity Ministerial School was conducted; Rev. Phil Laporte was hired and began his ministry on July 1, 1984.

In August of 1984, the church moved to the Community Credit building on Sixty-ninth and Xerxes in Edina and met there for three years. A search for a permanent facility resulted in the purchase of an old church building at 7950 First Avenue South in Bloomington. "Operation Sparkle" renewed the building. The first services were held on Memorial Day, 1987.

Attendance grew to about 150 with two services each Sunday. By 1988, with three services and an average attendance of more than 200 each Sunday, it became clear that the space was too small. A decision was made to build a new church adjacent to the older building.

In September of 1990, architect Ed Vogt was commissioned to design the new facility. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 23, 1991. The older structure was later sold and relocated.

On March 8, 1992, the first services were held in the new building which we now are proud to call home. Unity South continued to prosper in its new home under the spiritual leadership of Reverend Phil Laporte. The years 1992 - 1997 focused on building community and memorable occasions such as the congregation-wide visioning event, a weekend retreat at Villa Maria, the purchase of pew chars for the sanctuary and the establishment of the Community Council.

In April of 1997 Phil Laporte resigned as minister due to health challenges he had faced for nearly a year. He made his transition in May of 1997. Phis is remembered with much love and appreciation for his spiritual leadership and dedication to Unity South.

Rev. Kenneth Williamson joined us as our minister in September 1998. During his tenure through 2006 he led community outreach programs with african-american and native american youth, a cable television program entitled "Quest for Truth," memorable hosting of South African artists Si Ya Ya who were promoting AIDS awareness, and visits from Tibetan monks promoting peace. He also led a congregation committed to international and local aid efforts through fundraisers for the survivors of the tsunami and hurricane Katrina. In the fall of 2006 Ken Williamson transferred to a church in Florida.

Several ministers have served during the interim period after Ken's departure: jointly Reverends Harriet Valliere and Barbara Winter Martin, Rev. Eva Gabrielle, and currently Rev. Allen Liles.

Unity South Church continues to pursue its mission to "inspire individuals along their path to spiritual unfoldment, to encourage actions that affirm the divine nature in eachother and to recognize and bless the powerful potential in all people." We pray for and affirm that divine order will lead us to the right and perfect spiritual leader to complete our family.