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Spokane Unity History

The Unity Church of Truth began in 1913 at 6th and Jefferson in Spokane. Rev. Albert C. Grier was a 23-year Universalist minister when he resigned from that organization to begin his own independent church, the Church of Truth. Dr. Grier stated, "No two persons can pursue the same methods, but the Spirit of Truth will lead into all Truth," determined by ones vision and individuality. He was also inspired to write The Truth Teachings: guidelines based on the truth of Christ's Teachings...spiritual guidelines that left room for ones individuality.   The Church of Truth has a rich history in Spokane and in the many churches he founded around the country. (Biography of Rev. Grier)

The Rev. Erma W. Wells was the assistant minister for Dr. Grier, and later became the senior minister. She became well known in the Spokane community in the early 1900's and onward to her retirement in 1947. She was the first woman minister in Spokane, had a lively radio ministry, wrote several books and plays, and ministered to her large congregation for over 35 years. She established the University of Metaphysics, a viable ministerial school for many years, licensed to ordain Church of Truth ministers under Washington State Laws. She founded the Church of Truth of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, which is still a practicing ministry. Under her tutelage, approximately 20 Churches of the Truth were began in the Pacific Northwest, California, and New York.

After retirement and the few years that followed, her beloved Church of Truth experienced vast changes, but then, so also did the times. The world was changing; changes that continue. There were no more Church of Truth ministers that were available to take over the founding Church when Mrs. Wells retired. Their Board of Directors had two choices that loomed before them: They could, in due time, disintegrate because of "no ministerial leadership", or they could affiliate with the Unity School of Christianity, which was the nearest parallel in teachings with Church of Truth. The voting membership chose to become the Unity Church of Truth in 1955.

A parade of wonderful Unity ministers followed in the next 42 years, and since 1973 at 29th and Bernard. To mention a few of the "Unity greats" who served at this church: Dr. Herbert Hunt, Phil Stovin, R. Scott Sherman, David McClure, Jim Rosemergy, David McArthur, Jane Waddington, Thora and Weaver Hess. These are the ones who come to mind right now, plus a colorful array of assistant ministers who served this Church.

 

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How Unity Got ITs' Wings

This passage is an excerpt from the Story of Unity by James Dillet Freeman

With the first issue of Unity Magazine, there appeared across the top of the first page, the winged globe that through the years was Unity’s emblem and often still appears on Unity letterheads and literature. Charles Fillmore wrote that the idea of having such an emblem came to him as a revelation:

It is an ancient Egyptian symbol; and I remember that when I first saw it, I felt that I had had something to so with it in a previous incarnation. I went to a local artist by the name of E.A. Fileau and described to him what I wanted, and he made it under my directions.

The winged globe or sun disk, as a religious symbol, had its earliest use in Egypt, but it is found in various forms in the religions of other races. It represents the relation existing between Spirit, soul, and body. Soul gives wings to the body. Spirit is the enveloping principle, like the atmosphere in which both soul and body exist, and from which they draw their original inspiration.

The winged globe is also a symbol of he earth and its soul. The earth has soul, as have its products of every description. All exist in the ether, the anima mundi, the divine mother. When the people of the earth lift up their thoughts to God, the Animus Dei or directive Spirit, then the planet takes wings into a higher radiation of universal life—the mortal puts on immortality.

As man develops spiritual consciousness, he attains the realization of the soul as the wings of the body. Back of the soul is Spirit, which quickens and energizes the soul; that is, gives the soul wings. Artists paint their angels with wings, representing in this way their freedom from physical fetters. But the soul does not have wings like a bird. The life activity of the soul is quickened by Spirit until it rises above the thoughts of matter and floats free in the ether or fourth dimension, which Jesus called the kingdom of the heavens.

 

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