a positive path for spiritual living

CHURCH HISTORY by Dennis Ryan

1970s
Lynn Davis and Peg White found beginnings of prayer ministry that would become Unity Church in Albany

1981
Unity Study Group begins meeting.

1983
Unity Study Group meets at Peg White’s house.
Paul Borden, LUT hired as Licensed Unity Teacher

1984-87
Rev. Rebecca Clark hired as first full-time Minister.

December 4, 1984
Incorporation
of Unity Church in Albany by attorneys Sam Madison and Jo Cleary
with 39 Charter Members

1985
Rental of space at Women’s Club, Madison Avenue, Albany, begins on Sundays & Thursdays

1988-90
Rev. Roberta Yackel
held informative classes and initiated a monthly “Q and A” session.

1991-2001
Rev. Arthur Wells becomes Pastor.
Arthur holds more classes, begins mid-week meditation, initiates “Bring-a-Friend Sunday” and Church-in-the-Park. “Circles of Gratitude” meets in congregants’ homes.

‘circa 1990
“Home of Our Own” Committee
established;
monthly tithe to “home” and “decoration” funds;
four different chairpersons explore 30 possible sites

1995
Located property at 21 King Avenue in Albany
Bank requires $50,000 down payment.
Donations received from current/former members, friends, and surprise sources.
Pledges of 5-year Capital Fund donations.

1996
President Bill Bird signs mortgage on Valentine’s Day.

Feb-March 1996
70 congregants work for a month to rehab building.
Work completed in the wee hours of March 17 under new President Ginger Olthoff.
First Sunday service hours later on St. Patrick’s Day.

New piano purchased. Debt of $9,600 paid off by end of year.

2002
Rev. Paula Skyles
hired as interim minister after departure of Rev. Arthur

2003
Rev. Jim Fuller
hired as minister
Begins Coffee House, Reiki events, Thanksgiving and Christmas Pot Luck luncheons, Sunday evening kirtan-style service

2004
Caring Hands project raises $10,000.
Roger Mock hired as 9:00 am musician, later as overall Music Director

2005
Mortgage paid in full.

2013
Roger Mock becomes full-time Music Director as 6:00 pm Sunday “multi-faith music and meditation” service is added, later called “OneSong”.

2015
Roger Mock completes ministerial studies, becomes Interfaith Minister.
Later named as Assistant Minister for UCiA (2018 or so).

September, 2015
Rev. Jim Fuller departure

2016
Rev. Crystal Muldrow
becomes Senior Minister
Revitalizes Prayer Ministry.

2020
Rev. Steve Colladay
becomes Interim Minister
Initiates online meetings for prayer, learning and fellowship.
Begins Transition program of community gatherings and discernment.