The Unity Story: A Journey of Healing and Hope

In 1886, a frail young woman in Kansas City named Myrtle Page Fillmore lay bedridden with tuberculosis and a host of other ailments. Doctors had given her little time. One evening, she attended a lecture by a New Thought teacher, E. B. Weeks, who declared a simple truth: “You are a child of God, and therefore you do not inherit sickness.”

Myrtle took those words to heart. For two years, she repeated them in prayer, hour after hour: “I am a child of God, and therefore I do not inherit sickness.” Slowly, steadily, her body responded. She regained strength, walked again, and lived another 45 vibrant years.

Her husband, Charles Fillmore, a former real estate man with a childhood hip injury that left him limping and in pain, watched in wonder. He began applying the same principles—affirmative prayer, denial of error, and alignment with divine truth. His leg strengthened. His mind sharpened. Together, they realized: This works. And it’s for everyone.

The Birth of Unity (1889)

- April 1889: Charles and Myrtle launched Modern Thought magazine (later Unity) to share practical spiritual ideas.

- 1890: They started Silent Unity, a prayer ministry that answered its first call in a tiny apartment. It has prayed with people 24/7 ever since—over 2 million requests a year today.

- 1891: The name Unity was chosen, reflecting their belief in the oneness of God, humanity, and all life.

- They never intended to start a church. But people came—first a handful, then hundreds—seeking healing, hope, and a positive, practical faith.

Growth Through the Years

- 1903: Unity Society of Practical Christianity formed in Kansas City.

- 1914: Charles and Myrtle moved operations to Unity Farm (now Unity Village), a 1,400-acre campus in Missouri with gardens, a silent prayer tower, and printing presses.

- 1920s–30s: Daily Word began (still mailed to hundreds of thousands monthly). Charles published his masterwork, the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary.

- 1948: Charles passed at age 94, still active in ministry. Myrtle had preceded him in 1931.

Unity Today

- Global reach: Over 1,000 Unity churches and study groups in dozens of countries.

- Silent Unity remains the heartbeat—prayer partners answer calls in multiple languages.

- Education: Unity Institute trains ministers; online courses reach thousands.

- Publications: Unity Magazine, Daily Word, books, and apps continue the mission.

The Timeless Message

The Fillmore’s never claimed to invent truth—they simply lived it. From a sickbed to a worldwide movement, the Unity story proves: 

One healed life can light the way for millions.

And the invitation stands: You, too, are a child of God—whole, worthy, and able to demonstrate peace, health, and abundance—today.