Unity was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1889 by Charles Fillmore (1854–1948) and Myrtle Fillmore (1845–1931), following Myrtle Fillmore’s healing from tuberculosis, which she attributed to spiritual healing.
This experience led the Fillmores to study world religions, spiritual healing, and the relationship between science and religion. In 1891, they formally named the movement Unity and began publishing Unity magazine, followed by Wee Wisdom and Daily Word.
Ida Bailey discovered Unity in 1914 and was active as a teacher and preacher for over 36 years. In 1934, at the age of 73, she was ordained as the pastor of Unity Church of Christ in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In February of 1949, Rev. Bailey presided at the dedication of a new church home at Scribner Ave NW and Second St. NW. She noted that for 27 years, the growing congregation had met in various homes, business offices, and bare rooms.
Originally known as Unity Church of Peace, this center was founded in 1992 by Rev. Ann and Rev. Jim Ashby. Starting in a hotel room and then moving to Cascade Country Square, a permanent location was eventually purchased on Ada Drive in 1998, where the community served until the building was sold in 2021.
In the spring of 2021, a conversation between the Spiritual leader of Unity Center for Spiritual Growth (Michael Rocque) and the board president of Unity of Grand Rapids (Chuck Pearson) took place over lunch. This was the beginning of a conversation regarding the possibility of merging the two Unity churches.
After several discussions and assistance from Unity in Lee’s Summit, the decision was made for the two churches to merge. Over the course of almost two years, both original church buildings were sold and a new location was found and renovated in Cascade.
Unity Spiritual Community of Grand Rapids held its first service on October 2, 2022. In 2023, the community was officially approved and recognized by Unity Worldwide Ministries as a member ministry.