Editing Unity Temple (section)

== Temple usage ==
=== Early and mid-20th century ===
[[File:Unity Temple - Oak Park IL 3 (3224125951).jpg|thumb|View of the auditorium's pulpit from the north]]

After Unity Temple opened, the building's architecture attracted visitors from across the U.S.<ref name="Siry pp. 192–193" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 9, 1915 |title=Getting Ready for New C. C. Church |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-zion-city-independent-getting-ready/164611800/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=The Zion City Independent |pages=1 }}</ref> Johonnot ultimately resigned at the end of June 1910.<ref name="Sokol p. 152" /><ref name="Chicago Tribune 1910" /> The next pastor, S. G. Dunham, established a weekly "social clinics class" at the temple in late 1910;<ref name="Chicago Tribune 1910a">{{Cite news |date=November 27, 1910 |title=Hold 'Social Clinics' Class |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-hold-social-clinics-cl/164611630/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=8 }}</ref> he served as the pastor until early 1913.<ref name="Chicago Tribune 1913">{{Cite news |date=March 16, 1913 |title=Armour Buys Eastern Site; Plans New Packing Plant? |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-armour-buys-eastern-site/164610988/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=5 }}</ref> William J. Taylor became Unity Temple's pastor in November 1913<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 17, 1913 |title=New Pastor Is Installed |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-inter-ocean-new-pastor-is-installed/164558836/ |access-date=February 2, 2025 |work=The Inter Ocean |pages=3 }}</ref> and began giving sermons there the next month.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1913 |title=New Pastor Takes Unity Church Pulpit |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-inter-ocean-new-pastor-takes-unity-c/164558921/ |access-date=February 2, 2025 |work=The Inter Ocean |pages=9 }}</ref> During Taylor's tenure, the congregation paid back its remaining debt of $6,000, and a congregant, E. O. Gale, donated a [[parsonage]].<ref name="Wausau Pilot 1919" /> Taylor resigned in 1919 to become the pastor of [[First Universalist Church (Wausau, Wisconsin)|First Universalist Church]] in [[Wausau, Wisconsin]],<ref name="Wausau Pilot 1919">{{Cite news |date=January 14, 1919 |title=Rev. William J. Taylor |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wausau-pilot-rev-william-j-taylor/164612418/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Wausau Pilot |pages=1 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 30, 1918 |title=Restrictions on Egg Coal Are Now Removed |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-journal-restrictions-on-egg-coal-are/164613706/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Sun-Journal |pages=8 }}</ref> and he was succeeded by James W. Vallentyne.<ref name="Portland Press Herald 1924" /> The congregation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding with a weeklong party in early 1921.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 26, 1921 |title=Unity Church Is Fifty |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20church%22&i=f&d=01011920-12311921&m=between&ord=k1&fn=oak_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19210226_english_42&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=38 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> Vallentyne resigned as Unity Church's pastor in 1924,<ref name="Portland Press Herald 1924">{{Cite news |date=December 30, 1924 |title=Dr. James W. Vallentyne Will Come to Portland After Fine Record in West |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald-dr-james-w-valle/164616792/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Portland Press Herald |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald-vallentyne/164616814/ 2] }}</ref> though he remained in Oak Park for several months.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 2, 1925 |title=Rev. James Vallentyne Assumes Duties Here |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald-rev-james-vallent/164617011/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Portland Press Herald |pages=19 }}</ref> D. T. Denman, who had served various congregations in Oak Park for two decades,<ref name="Chicago Daily Tribune 1932" /> merged his congregation with that of Unity Church in 1925, becoming the combined congregation's pastor.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1946b">{{cite web |date=September 5, 1946 |title=Unity Church Resumes Services on Sunday |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20universalist%22&i=f&by=1946&bdd=1940&d=01011946-12311946&m=between&ord=k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19460905_english_46&df=21&dt=27 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=46 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref>

Denman served until 1932<ref name="Chicago Daily Tribune 1932">{{cite news |date=April 24, 1932 |title=Call of Farm Penetrates to Oak Park Pulpit: Dr. Denman to Retire After 45 Years. |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-call-of-farm-penetrates/164619012/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=F6 |id={{ProQuest|181316732}} }}</ref> and was replaced that year with Frank D. Adams.<ref name="Chicago Tribune 1932">{{Cite news |date=November 22, 1932 |title=Dr. F. D. Adams Accepts Call to Oak Pk. Church |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-dr-f-d-adams-accepts/164623449/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=6 |postscript=none |agency=Associated Press}}; {{Cite news |date=December 10, 1932 |title=Parish Banquets Departing Pastor |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-parish-banquets-depar/164623589/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Detroit Free Press |pages=3 }}</ref> In 1935, the congregation of the Church of the Redeemer in Chicago also merged with Unity Church's congregation.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1946b" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 23, 1936 |title=Dr. Lewis Fisher Dies; Pastor and Ex-College Head |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-dr-lewis-fisher-dies-p/164623730/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=14 }}</ref> The congregation had 200 members by the mid-1940s, who met every Sunday from September to June; by then, the church was called the '''Unity Universalist Church'''.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 9, 1944 |title=Unity Universalist Church |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20universalist%22&i=f&d=01011940-12311949&m=between&ord=k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19440309_english_57&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=57 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> John Q. Parkhurst was elected as the church's pastor in early 1945,<ref name="Oak Leaves 1945a">{{cite web |date=March 1, 1945 |title=Unity |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20church%22&i=f&d=01011940-12311946&e=parkhurst&m=between&ord=k1,e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19450301_english_47&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=47 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> just after Adams resigned.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1945b">{{cite web |date=March 8, 1945 |title=Unity Church |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20church%22&i=f&d=01011940-12311945&e=adams&m=between&ord=k1,e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19450308_english_77&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=77 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The next year, Unity House was lent to a local youth club, and its interior was redecorated to resemble a ship's lounge;<ref>{{cite news |date=June 23, 1946 |title=Youths to Open Suburb Center With Ship Motif |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=W12 |id={{ProQuest|177208330}} }}</ref> the club operated there for three months.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1946 |title=Suburban Group on Search for Anchor Inn Site |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-suburban-group-on-search/164626175/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=14 }}</ref> At the time, the congregation's membership included many of Oak Park's longtime families, in addition to congregants from neighboring towns and villages.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1946b" /> ''Oak Leaves'' reported that the building was depicted in a wide range of architectural publications and that it attracted visitors from around the world,<ref>{{cite web |date=September 9, 1948 |title=Unity Universalist Church Opens for 78th Year |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20universalist%22&i=f&d=01011940-12311949&m=between&ord=k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19480909_english_30&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=30 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> though local residents largely ignored it.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1969c">{{cite web |date=June 25, 1969 |title=Unity Temple a masterpiece in concrete |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011967-12311969&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19690625_english_12&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=12 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref>

Parkhurst left the congregation in 1952, and Robert M. Rice became the church's new minister.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1952a">{{cite web |date=January 10, 1952 |title=Rev. Parkhurst Accepts Call to Church in Joliet |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20universalist%22&i=f&d=01011950-12311959&e=parkhurst&m=between&ord=k1,e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19520110_english_9&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=9 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> By then, the congregation had 325 members who met every Sunday except in August, and the church's youth fellowship met every other Sunday.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 21, 1951 |title=Unity Universalist |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22unity%20universalist%22&i=f&d=01011950-12311959&m=between&ord=k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19510621_english_82&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=82 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The church was known simply as the '''Universalist Church''' by the late 1950s.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1957a">{{cite web |date=June 27, 1957 |title=Universalist Church |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011955-12311959&e=unity%20universalist&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19570627_english_42&df=1&dt=5 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=42 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The temple also hosted visiting architects, including Wright himself, as well as several groups of students each year.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1957b" /> Rice left the building largely intact during his tenure, converting Unity House's two balconies to classrooms and adding a chapel for children.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1957c" /> In addition, in 1959, workers filled in cracks and covered up exposed rods, and they applied a stucco-like paste to the exterior.<ref name="Cypret 1975a">{{Cite news |last=Cypret |first=Randy |date=August 3, 1975 |title=Unity Temple restoration incomplete |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-unity-temple-restoration-in/164649380/ |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=News Journal |pages=6 }}</ref>

=== Late 20th century ===
==== 1960s ====
By the 1960s, the concrete had begun to spall and leak; the congregation ruled out the idea of using stucco to patch the facade, and there were discussions about potentially demolishing the temple.<ref name="McCue 1961" /> Instead, Wright's son-in-law [[William Wesley Peters]], a principal in [[Taliesin Associated Architects]], oversaw a restoration of the building,<ref name="McCue 1961" /><ref name="Oak Leaves 1961a">{{cite web |date=November 16, 1961 |title=Universalists Hold Annual Holiday Bazaar |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011960-12311962&e=universalist%20church&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19611116_english_33&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=33 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> which was completed in 1961 for $22,000.<ref name="McCue 1961" /><ref name="Nicholas 1962">{{cite news |last=Nicholas |first=Dorothea |date=October 4, 1962 |title=Frank Lloyd Wright Church Is Architectural Shrine: Heritage Unit to Pay Tribute to Sanctuary |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-frank-lloyd-wright-churc/164635823/ |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=7.1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-frank-lloyd-wright-churc/164635855/ 7.4] |id={{ProQuest|182864285}} }}</ref>{{Efn-ur|Equivalent to ${{inflation|start_year=1961|index=US-GDP|value=22000|r=-3|fmt=c}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} Workers patched the cracks by sandblasting the concrete, placing a cement aggregate into the cracks, and applying another mixture to wear away the facade's topmost layer.<ref name="Nicholas 1962" /> A sealant was then applied onto the facade,<ref name="McCue 1961">{{Cite news |last=McCue |first=George |date=November 26, 1961 |title=New Life for Two Historic Buildings |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-new-life-for-two/164373268/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |pages=36 }}</ref><ref name="Nicholas 1962" /> and the building was repainted in its original color scheme.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1961a" /><ref name="Nicholas 1962" /> The temple was rededicated in 1962. By then, the congregation had a religious school and a youth club, in addition to its typical Sunday services.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1962a">{{cite web |date=June 21, 1962 |title=The Unitarian Universalist Church |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011960-12311962&e=universalist%20church&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19620621_english_27&df=11&dt=20 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=27 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The building still attracted international visitors,<ref name="Oak Leaves 1962a" /><ref>{{cite news |date=November 23, 1961 |title=Unity Church is World Famous |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=W_B16 |id={{ProQuest|183043735}} }}</ref> while the congregation had become known as the '''Unitarian Universalist Church'''.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1964a" /><ref name="Chicago Tribune 1963">{{cite news |date=September 29, 1963 |title=Tour to See Legacy Left by Wright |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=S1 |id={{ProQuest|176402046}} }}</ref>

John Michiels renovated the temple's lower level in 1966 for $20,000,{{Efn-ur|Equivalent to ${{inflation|start_year=1968|index=US-GDP|value=20000|r=-3|fmt=c}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}}} though these modifications did not follow Wright's original design.<ref name="Cypret 1975a" /> The work involved refurbishing a bathroom and three classrooms.<ref name="Cypret 1975a" /><ref name="Conner 1971" /> Church officials formed a committee in 1967 to raise funds for a further renovation of Unity Temple.<ref name="Devine 1976">{{Cite news |last=Devine |first=Kay |date=June 30, 1976 |title=Unity Temple plans fund-raiser tour to aid restoration efforts |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-unity-temple-plans-fund-rai/164474114/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |work=News Journal |pages=111 }}</ref> That May, the congregation decided to open the temple for public tours five days a week<ref name="Oak Leaves 1967b">{{cite web |date=April 27, 1967 |title=Unitarian Church Will Open Tours |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011967-12311969&e=universalist%20church&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19670427_english_7&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=7 |via=River Forest Public Library |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 28, 1967 |title=Unitarian Church Open to Public |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/berwyn-life-unitarian-church-open-to-pub/164641508/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Berwyn Life |pages=8 }}</ref> to raise money for the renovations.<ref name="Devine 1976" /><ref name="Oak Leaves 1967b" /> It cost $1,000 to launch the tour program, which did not make a net profit until its second year. The skylights were subsequently replaced in 1968; since the tours had not raised sufficient funds, the women's auxiliary at Unity Temple helped fund part of the project.<ref name="Cypret 1975a" /> The next year, the Edgar J. Kaufmann Foundation pledged $75,000 in [[matching funds]] toward the temple's renovation<ref name="Cypret 1975a" /><ref name="Conner 1971" /><ref name="Oak Leaves 1969b">{{cite web |date=July 9, 1969 |title=Foundation backs $150,000 restoration of Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011967-12311969&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19690709_english_5&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=135 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> after [[Edgar Kaufmann Jr.]], a former Wright acolyte, heard about the initiative.<ref name="Cypret 1975a" /><ref name="Marlin 1971">{{Cite news |last=Marlin |first=William |date=March 21, 1971 |title=Saving Wright's American Dream |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-saving-wrights-american/164722465/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=136 }}</ref> Bill Fyfe and Michiels jointly designed a restoration plan.<ref name="Marlin 1971" /> According to Michiels, the wiring, doors, stairs, windows, and sidewalks needed repairs the most urgently.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1969b" />

==== 1970s ====
[[File:Unity Temple (35121738661).jpg|thumb|Detail of the Kenilworth Avenue facade]]

By 1970, the church had raised $25,000 from tours, subscriptions, and donations.<ref name="Marlin 1971" /> The restoration also received funds from the congregation itself, the [[National Park Service]], four anonymous donors, and [[Alden B. Dow]], in addition to tour revenue and insurance payments.<ref name="Cypret 1975a" /> After Rice retired in 1970,<ref name="Oak Leaves 1971a2">{{cite web |last=Patterson |first=Mary Margaret |date=March 3, 1971 |title=Unitarians to hold centennial service |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011970-12311972&e=universalist%20church&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19710303_english_8&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=8 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> he was replaced by Gerald Krick the following March.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1971a2" /> In addition, a committee was formed to oversee the restoration,<ref name="Conner 1971">{{Cite news |last=Conner |first=Gerald |date=March 21, 1971 |title=Members Make Plans to Save Unity Temple |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-members-make-plans-to-sa/164801223/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=19 }}</ref> which was prioritized after a fire had damaged Unity House in January 1971.<ref name="Conner 1971" /><ref name="Oak Leaves 1971c">{{cite web |date=August 18, 1971 |title=Restoration with the Wright touch |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011970-12311972&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19710818_english_57&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=57 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> A local firm, Sturr-Young Associates, was hired to repaint the auditorium in its original colors, restore the skylights, and redecorate the interior, while Frank's son [[Lloyd Wright]] was retained as a consultant.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1971c" /> The congregation was unable to raise the funds for the temple's upkeep by itself.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dillard |first=Barbara |date=April 13, 1983 |title=Japan fair to support Wright church legacy |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-japan-fair-to-support-wr/164869331/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=94 }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 1979a" /> As such, congregants directed the board of trustees to establish a [[Foundation (nonprofit)|foundation]] to oversee the temple's restoration in December 1972.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 13, 1972 |title=Foundation to be set up to renew Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011970-12311972&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19721213_english_66&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=66 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The Unity Temple Restoration Corporation was formed the next year<ref name="Cypret 1975">{{Cite news |last=Cypret |first=Randy |date=July 23, 1975 |title=Unity Temple: struggle to save a landmark |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-unity-temple-struggle-to-s/164472280/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |work=News Journal |pages=1 }}</ref> as a secular entity, separate from the congregation.<ref name="Gapp 1978">{{Cite news |last=Gapp |first=Paul |date=April 13, 1978 |title=Group seeks $50,000 to restore Unity Temple |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-group-seeks-50000-to-r/164862341/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=48 }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 1979a">{{cite web |last=Idoux |first=Jerry |date=May 9, 1979 |title=Temple restoration is Jacobsen's dream |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011977-12311979&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19790509_english_36&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=36 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The restoration group raised $500 per month from small donors and tour revenue, and it received additional funding from large donors, the federal and local governments, and the congregation.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1974b">{{cite web |last=Van Wyk |first=Betty |date=June 19, 1974 |title='Angels' needed for temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011973-12311974&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19740619_english_4&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |pages=4, [https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011973-12311974&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19740619_english_15&df=1&dt=10 11] |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref>

A restoration of the facade commenced in 1973<ref name="Oak Leaves 1973a">{{cite web |date=October 17, 1973 |title=Unity Temple is getting a face lift |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011973-12311974&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19731017_english_60&df=11&dt=20 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=60 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref><ref name="Kamin x694">{{cite web |last=Kamin |first=Blair |date=May 20, 2017 |title=Delayed restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple is triumphant |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2017/05/20/delayed-restoration-of-frank-lloyd-wrights-unity-temple-is-triumphant/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 }}</ref> and ultimately cost $200,000.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19831019">{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Charlotte |date=October 19, 1983 |title=$500,000 restoration tab for Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011983-12311984&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19831019_english_23&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=23 }}</ref> Workers removed the cladding that had been added in the 1960s,<ref name="Oak Leaves 1973a" /> and they sprayed [[shotcrete]], a type of concrete, onto the facade.<ref name="Gauer x647">{{cite web |last=Gauer |first=James |date=May 25, 2017 |title=Restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple Unveiled |url=https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12773-restoration-of-frank-lloyd-wrights-unity-temple-unveiled |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Architectural Record }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 1973a" /> The interior was also repainted and partially rewired,<ref name="Devine 1976" /> That year, the Kaufmann Foundation increased their grant to $250,000, at which point the church had raised $230,000.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1974b" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 11, 1974 |title=Matching fund needed for Unity Temple grant |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-matching-fund-needed-for-un/164645097/ |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=News Journal |pages=4 }}</ref> The temple could also receive federal restoration funds because it was on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], so the [[Illinois Department of Conservation]] requested $114,850 for interior restoration in late 1973.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 13, 1973 |title=Funds for Unity Temple landmark are sought |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-funds-for-unity-temple-l/164851367/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=155 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 16, 1973 |title=State requests funds to restore temple |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-state-requests-funds-to-res/164845596/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=News Journal |pages=6 }}</ref> The temple began hosting concerts later that year,<ref name="Oak Leaves 1974c">{{cite web |date=February 20, 1974 |title=Great architecture and music meet Feb. 23 |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011973-12311974&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19740220_english_22&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=22 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> and it launched a concert series that helped raise money for the renovation.<ref name="News Journal 1974" /><ref>{{cite web |date=October 30, 1974 |title=Baroque concert at Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011973-12311974&e=universalist%20church&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19741030_english_51&df=11&dt=20 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=51 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> To raise further money, the church sponsored field trips to [[Taliesin (studio)|Taliesin]], Wright's studio in Wisconsin.<ref name="Devine 1976" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1976 |title=Tours set at Wright buildings |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-tours-set-at-wright-buil/164861736/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=44 }}</ref> By 1975, church officials had spent more than $250,000 over the preceding eight years, but the project needed at least another $250,000.<ref name="Cypret 1975" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Marlin |first=William |date=November 14, 1975 |title=Oak Park renews ties to Frank Lloyd Wright: Simple, close-knit Template for development Emergency repairs |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=32 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|511855922}} }}</ref> In addition, the Restoration Foundation had gone into debt.<ref name="Cypret 1975" />

The Restoration Foundation had nearly matched the Kaufmann grant by 1976,<ref name="Devine 1976" /> and it wanted to create a $500,000 [[financial endowment]] for Unity Temple's continued upkeep.<ref name="Gapp 1978" /> The Kaufmann Foundation offered a grant to establish the restoration fund in April 1978, provided the Restoration Foundation raise $50,000 in eight weeks.<ref name="Gapp 1978" /><ref>{{cite web |date=April 5, 1978 |title=Unity Temple drive reaches half-way mark |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011977-12311979&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19780405_english_6&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=6 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The next year, the Kaufmann Foundation offered another $50,000 matching grant.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1979a" /><ref name="The Life 1979">{{Cite news |date=May 2, 1979 |title=Temple seeks restoration |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-life-temple-seeks-restoration/164863252/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=The Life |pages=26 }}</ref> Work on the foyer's renovation began in May 1979<ref name="Oak Leaves 1979a" /><ref name="The Life 1979" /> and was nearly completed by the end of the year.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1979b">{{cite web |date=November 7, 1979 |title=Unity Temple work progresses |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011977-12311979&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19791107_english_8&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=8 |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The foyer was restored to its original appearance, and later modifications, such as ceiling tiles and shelves, were removed.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 23, 1980 |title=Benefit skit to aid Wright restoration |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011980-12311982&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19800423_english_27&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=27 }}</ref> The Restoration Foundation also planned to repair the leaky roof,<ref name="Oak Leaves 1979b" /> a project that ultimately cost $85,000.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19831019" /> A company from Washington, D.C., was hired to determine the original paint colors.<ref name="The Life 1979" />

==== 1980s and 1990s ====
Charles Scot Giles became Unity Temple's pastor in 1981 following a year-long search.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1981b">{{cite web |date=August 26, 1981 |title=New minister finds 'creative challenge' |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=giles&i=f&d=01011980-12311984&e=unity%20temple&o=minister%20pastor&m=between&ord=e1,k1,o1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19810826_english_67&df=1&dt=6 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=67 }}</ref> The next year, the Restoration Foundation established a subcommittee to organize events at the temple.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 24, 1982 |title=Unity Temple auxiliary is started |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011980-12311982&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19821124_english_62&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=62 }}</ref> By then, the temple received 10,000 to 15,000 annual visitors, and the Restoration Foundation was planning to spend $500,000 on the interior.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19831019" /> The auditorium was subsequently repainted gray, green-gray, yellow, and ivory, and [[magnesite]] carpets were added.<ref name="Oak Leaves 1984a" /> This work was completed in 1984, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the temple's dedication.<ref name="nyt-1984-09-02">{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1984 |title=Temple by Frank Lloyd Wright Is Renovated |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/02/us/temple-by-frank-lloyd-wright-is-renovated.html |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 1984a">{{cite web |last=Vrba |first=Harriet |date=September 26, 1984 |title=Unity restored for its 75th anniversary |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011980-12311984&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19840926_english_7&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |pages=7, [https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011980-12311984&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19840926_english_8&df=1&dt=10 8] |via=River Forest Public Library }}</ref> The temple received a $20,000 matching grant from [[Domino's]] cofounder [[Tom Monaghan|Thomas Monaghan]] in 1987,<ref>{{cite web |date=November 25, 1987 |title=Domino's picks Unity Temple for restoration challenge grant |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011987-12311989&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19871125_english_79&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=79 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Bohlin |first=Virginia |date=November 1, 1987 |title=Baseball owner a major leaguer in the world of decorative arts |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-baseball-owner-a-major/164907389/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=The Boston Globe |pages=258 }}</ref> which was to be used restore the temple's skylights.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19880127">{{cite web |date=January 27, 1988 |title=Unity Temple Foundation gets preservation grant |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011987-12311989&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19880127_english_28&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=28 }}</ref> By then, the predicted cost of the renovation had increased to $750,000.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19880127" /> In addition, the [[Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois]] and the congregation signed an agreement to preserve the temple in January 1988.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 9, 1988 |title=Pact ensures integrity |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-pact-ensures-integrity/164906157/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Herald and Review |pages=10 |agency=Associated Press }}</ref><ref name="JG-TC: Journal Gazette and Times-Courier 1988">{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1988 |title=Wright church's restoration begins |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/jg-tc-journal-gazette-and-times-courier/164906849/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=JG-TC: Journal Gazette and Times-Courier |pages=16 |agency=Associated Press }}</ref> The council received a preservation [[easement]] that limited changes to the temple.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Bridget |date=May 30, 2007 |title=OP resident receives Unity Temple award |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012007-12312009&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20070530_english_16&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 9, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |pages=16, [https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012007-12312009&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20070530_english_18&df=1&dt=10 18] }}</ref> The auditorium's skylights were repaired that year,<ref name="JG-TC: Journal Gazette and Times-Courier 1988" /> and a firm from Wisconsin restored the panels and replaced 40% of the glass.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 10, 1994 |title=Preservation awards issued |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011991-12311994&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19940810_english_12&df=11&dt=20 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Oak Leaves |page=12 }}</ref>

Despite large donations from Kaufmann, Domino's and [[Steelcase]], officials at the Restoration Foundation reported decreasing revenue in the 1980s.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19941123">{{cite web |last=Montgomery |first=Susan |date=November 23, 1994 |title=The quest for donations |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011991-12311994&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19941123_english_8&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=8 }}</ref> Foundation officials commissioned a report in 1989, which found that the roof was in very poor condition; foundation officials estimated that the roof would cost $280,000 to repair.<ref name="Fegelman 1989">{{Cite news |last=Fegelman |first=Andrew |date=September 15, 1989 |title=Cracks threat to Wright building |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-asheville-times-cracks-threat-to-wri/164905652/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=The Asheville Times |pages=10 }}</ref><ref name="Seigenthaler 1989">{{Cite news |last=Seigenthaler |first=Katherine |date=September 25, 1989 |title=Cease-fire in Wright church spat |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-cease-fire-in-wright-chu/164906562/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=19 }}</ref> Though the foundation wanted to dismantle part of the roof for inspection, congregation members disputed the report's findings<ref name="Seigenthaler 1989" /> and considered severing their relationship with the foundation.<ref name="Fegelman 1989" /> Ultimately, the congregation decided to continue working with the foundation, and it ordered additional inspections of the roof.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1989 |title=More tests in store for Unity Temple |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-more-tests-in-store-for/164908024/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=25 }}</ref> During the 1990s, the temple continued to host tours for a fee,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sommers |first=Carl |date=October 6, 1991 |title=Q and A |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/06/travel/q-and-a-486191.html |access-date=January 24, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US }}</ref> along with services every Sunday.<ref name="Posner 1992">{{Cite news |last=Posner |first=Ellen |date=May 10, 1992 |title=An American Dreamer |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-an-american-dreamerelle/164387051/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=The Independent |pages=80, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-wright/164387235/ 82] }}</ref> Shirley Ann Ranck was named as Unity Temple's interim minister in 1991, becoming the first woman to lead the congregation in a century.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19910904">{{cite web |date=September 4, 1991 |title=Interim named at Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=ranck&i=f&d=01011991-12311999&e=universalist%20church&o=minister%20pastor&m=between&ord=e1,k1,o1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_oak_park_19910904_english_93&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=93 }}</ref> F. Jay Deacon became the permanent minister of the congregation in 1993,<ref name="Oak Leaves 19930901">{{cite web |date=September 1, 1993 |title=New minister at Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=deacon&i=f&d=01011992-12311994&e=unity%20temple&o=pastor%20minister&m=between&ord=e1,o1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19930901_english_94&df=1&dt=4 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=94 }}</ref> and the clerestory windows were repaired that year.<ref name="Kamin 1993">{{Cite news |last=Kamin |first=Blair |date=October 21, 1993 |title=Mies-designed House Moving to Wilder Park |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-mies-designed-house-movi/164930357/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=78 }}</ref>

The congregation merged with the Beacon Unitarian Church in 1994, becoming the '''Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation'''.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 15, 1995 |title=Two congregations take on new name |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011995-12311996&e=universalist%20church&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19950315_english_107&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=107 }}</ref> That year, the Restoration Foundation established a volunteer program to raise further money;<ref>{{cite web |date=September 21, 1994 |title=Volunteers sought for Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011991-12311994&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19940921_english_125&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=125 }}</ref> it sought to raise $600,000 over seven years.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19941123" /> The temple started hosting [[avant-garde music]] concerts in 1996 to raise more money.<ref name="Reich 1997">{{Cite news |last=Reich |first=Howard |date=March 23, 1997 |title=Temple of Music |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-temple-of-musichoward-r/164372825/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=7.9 }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 19970226">{{cite web |last=Shields |first=Todd |date=February 26, 1997 |title=All that jazz at Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011991-12311999&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19970226_english_25&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |pages=25, [https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011991-12311999&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19970226_english_28&df=1&dt=10 28] }}</ref> The Oak Park village government allocated $32,500 in 1999 for a study of the temple's exterior. By then, $1.5 million had been spent on restoration.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19990310">{{cite web |last=Shields |first=Todd |date=March 10, 1999 |title=OP approves money for study of Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01011991-12311999&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_19990310_english_14&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=14 }}</ref> Simultaneously, the Restoration Foundation was raising $1.5 million in advance of the temple's centennial.<ref name="Oak Leaves 19990310" /> Unlike other state governments, Illinois did not provide historic-preservation loans at the time,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamin |first=Blair |date=February 14, 1999 |title=Crumbling icons |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-crumbling-iconsblair-ka/164929942/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=7.1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/54174010/ 7.12], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/54173995/ 7.13] }}</ref> although it subsequently began distributing such loans.<ref name="Dardick 2004">{{Cite news |last=Dardick |first=Hal |date=October 7, 2004 |title=Wright's temple gets repair help |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-wrights-temple-gets-rep/164948574/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=2.1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-wrights-temple-gets-rep/164948620/ 2.10] }}</ref> State representative [[Angelo Saviano]] negotiated to secure state funding for Unity Temple after seeing the poor condition of the exterior.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Kadesha M. |date=June 7, 2000 |title=OP has go-to guy in Saviano |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012000-12312002&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20000607_english_8&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=8 }}</ref>

=== 21st century ===
==== 2000s ====
[[File:Unity Temple - Oak Park IL 7 (3224987418).jpg|thumb|Detail of the balcony railing in the auditorium]]

Unity Temple still had serious mechanical and structural issues in the 21st century.<ref name="Building Design & Construction 2001" /><ref name="Pierre l011">{{cite news |last=Pierre |first=Robert E. |date=January 21, 2003 |title=Saving the Wright Stuff Is A Mission for Illinois Church |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/01/21/saving-the-wright-stuff-is-a-mission-for-illinois-church/21c86a71-6496-4127-95a5-90247e35a491/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |page=A3 |id={{ProQuest|2267542368}} }}</ref> The building had no air-conditioning system, leading to significant temperature fluctuations;<ref name="Pierre l011" /> the temperature sometimes reached {{Convert|125|F}} during the summer.<ref name="Kamin 1999">{{cite news |last=Kamin |first=Blair |date=February 14, 1999 |title=Crumbling Icons Some of Frank Lloyd Wright's Greatest Buildings Are Falling Apart. But the Bigger Question is: What Can We Do to Save Them? |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|418855393}} }}</ref> The temple's roof sagged significantly, while the interiors were damaged by carbon-dioxide buildups and humidity.<ref name="Knecht p. 173">{{harvnb|Knecht|2001|ps=.|page=173 }}</ref><ref name="Building Design & Construction 2001">{{Cite magazine |date=Jan 2001 |title=Temple undoomed |magazine=Building Design & Construction |page=9 |volume=42 |issue=1 |id={{ProQuest|211013541}} }}</ref> The art glass, which had cracked due to repeated [[Freeze and thaw|freezing and thawing]] over the years, needed to be repaired.<ref name="Southern Illinoisan 2005" /> The concrete facade had become cracked and [[spall]]ed,<ref name="Building Design & Construction 2001" /><ref name="Pierre l011" /> and [[condensation]] had built up within the walls, causing it to rain inside.<ref name="Kamin 1999" /> There were also leaks from the drains inside the building.<ref name="Kamin x694" /> Workers began removing concrete samples from the facade in January 2000 in preparation for a wider-ranging renovation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bentrup |first=Cheri |date=January 12, 2000 |title=Work crews tend to Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01012000-12312002&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20000112_english_9&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=9 }}</ref> After the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois labeled the building among Illinois's most endangered structures that March,<ref name="Mendell 2000">{{Cite news |last=Mendell |first=David |date=March 22, 2000 |title=McPier building, DuPage Theatre on endangered list |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-mcpier-building-dupage/164950216/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=2.2 }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 20000329">{{cite web |last=Blaser |first=Randy |date=March 29, 2000 |title=How Unity Temple won $1 million |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01012000-12312002&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20000329_english_7&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |pages=7, [https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01012000-12312002&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20000329_english_14&df=1&dt=10 14] }}</ref> the state government gave Unity Temple $1 million for restoration.<ref>{{cite news |last=Donato |first=Marla |date=May 2, 2000 |title=State to Give $1 Million to Unity Temple to Restore Wright's Design |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/05/02/state-to-give-1-million-to-unity-temple-to-restore-wrights-design/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=2C3 |id={{ProQuest|419106688}} }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 20000329" />

By late 2000, workers were about to restore the concrete.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bentrup |first=Cheri |date=December 27, 2000 |title=Unity Temple repairs to begin in February |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=restoration&i=f&d=01012000-12312002&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20001227_english_10&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=10 }}</ref> This work was part of a larger, three-phase project<ref name="Building Design & Construction 2001" /><ref>{{harvnb|Knecht|2001|ps=.|page=174 }}</ref> which would cost up to $5 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mannion |first=Annemarie |date=September 27, 2000 |title=Prairie home companion |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-prairie-home-companiona/164948098/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=135 }}</ref> Holes were cut into the facade, and the underlying rebar was replaced.<ref>{{harvnb|Knecht|2001|ps=.|pages=173–174 }}</ref> Fern C. Stanley was appointed as interim pastor in August 2002.<ref name="Kates 2003">{{Cite news |last=Kates |first=Joan Giangrasse |date=May 25, 2003 |title=Oak Park cleric helped Oklahoma after bombing |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-oak-park-cleric-helped-o/164978324/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=4.11 }}</ref> After her death in May 2003,<ref name="Kates 2003" /><ref>{{cite web |date=January 18, 2005 |title=Unity Temple installs new minister |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012005-12312006&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20050118_english_92&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=92 }}</ref> Alan Taylor became Unity Temple's pastor the same year.<ref name="Oak Leaves 20030910" /> At that point, there were 359 congregants,<ref name="Oak Leaves 20030910">{{cite web |last=Bentrup |first=Cheri |date=September 10, 2003 |title=Taylor at helm of Unity congregation |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=taylor&i=f&d=01012000-12312009&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20030910_english_63&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=65 }}</ref> though Taylor helped double the congregation's size during his 18-year tenure.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schwing |first=John |date=September 7, 2023 |title=Minister takes 'hybrid' pulpit at UUWestport |url=https://westportjournal.com/community/minister-takes-hybrid-pulpit-at-uuwestport/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Westport Journal }}</ref> The Landmarks Preservation Council provided $100,000 for a [[geothermal heating]] upgrade in 2004,<ref name="Oak Leaves 20041027">{{Cite news |last=Dardick |first=Hal |date=October 7, 2004 |title=Wright's temple gets repair help |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-wrights-temple-gets-rep/164943767/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=2.3 }}</ref><ref name="Oak Leaves 20041027a">{{cite web |last=Bentrup |first=Cheri |date=October 27, 2004 |title=Unity Temple gets preservation grant |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012003-12312004&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20041027_english_8&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=8 }}</ref> which was part of the first phase of a $12–15 million renovation.<ref name="Oak Leaves 20041027a" /><ref name="Stuart k623">{{cite web |last=Stuart |first=Laura |date=November 8, 2005 |title=The greening of Unity Temple |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2005/11/08/the-greening-of-unity-temple/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref><ref name="AR-2006-02">{{cite magazine |last=Bowen |first=Ted Smalley |date=Feb 2006 |title=Unity Temple will use geothermal energy after its first major restoration |url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-2006-02.pdf |magazine=Architectural Record |pages=139–140 |volume=194 |issue=2 |id={{ProQuest|222131743}} }}</ref> The Restoration Foundation planned to patch the concrete<ref name="Stuart k623" /> and add a [[heating, ventilation, and air conditioning]] system.<ref name="Oak Leaves 20041027" /><ref name="Hampton b253">{{cite web |last=Van Hampton |first=Tudor |date=November 25, 2009 |title=As More Buildings Go Geothermal, Project Teams Are Thinking Outside the Borehole |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/58-as-more-buildings-go-geothermal-project-teams-are-thinking-outside-the-borehole?page=3 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Engineering News-Record }}</ref> The third and final phase would entail restoration of the interior.<ref name="Stuart k623" /><ref name="Hampton b253" /> Gunny Harboe, a restoration architect based in nearby Chicago, was hired to design a restoration of the temple.<ref name="Dardick 2004" /> A test well for the heating system was installed in late 2005.<ref name="Southern Illinoisan 2005">{{Cite news |date=October 3, 2005 |title=Going 'green' at Unity Temple |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-going-green-at-uni/164983161/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Southern Illinoisan |pages=21 |agency=Associated Press }}</ref><ref name="Stuart k623" /> The congregation continued to host tours,<ref name="Pierre l011" /> and it sold off furniture and furnishings to raise money.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May–June 2003 |title=Vase and chairs sold to preserve Wright church |magazine=UU World : The Magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association |page=50 |volume=17 |issue=3 |id={{ProQuest|201556250}} }}</ref><ref name="Weekend Chicago Defender 2003">{{Cite news |date=October 4, 2003 |title=BauHaus Apprenticeship Institute donates replicas of heirloom chairs to Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple |work=Weekend Chicago Defender |page=36 |id={{ProQuest|2572615518}} }}</ref>

By the mid-2000s, the temple attracted 25–30 thousand annual visitors, many of them from outside the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bentrup |first=Cheri |date=January 5, 2005 |title=Unity Temple to mark Wright's visit to Japan |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012005-12312006&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20050105_english_13&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |page=13 }}</ref> Because parts of the temple were still being used as offices and classrooms, they could not be renovated until the congregation obtained additional space.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 10, 2006 |title=May 13 view proposed designs for Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012005-12312006&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20060510_english_98&df=1&dt=10 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |pages=98, [https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012005-12312006&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20060510_english_99&df=1&dt=10 99] }}</ref> Part of the ceiling collapsed around 2008;<ref name="Johnson o698">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Steve |date=July 29, 2015 |title=Fixing Frank: Unity Temple gets a sorely needed $23 million restoration |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/07/29/fixing-frank-unity-temple-gets-a-sorely-needed-23-million-restoration/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 }}</ref> the water damage was attributed to the lack of [[expansion joint]]s and a flat roof.<ref name="Stempniak w160">{{cite web |last=Stempniak |first=Marty |date=April 28, 2009 |title=Unity Temple lands on national endangered list |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2009/04/28/unity-temple-lands-on-national-endangered-list/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref> A huge piece of the left wall had cracked open,<ref name="Johnson o698" /> and there were cracks in the facade and leaks throughout the building.<ref name="Working 2008">{{Cite news |last=Working |first=Russell |date=December 17, 2008 |title=Unity Temple captures $200,000 federal grant |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-unity-temple-captures-2/164304954/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=1.30 }}</ref> Unity Temple received a $200,000 [[matching funds]] grant in December 2008 through the [[Save America's Treasures]] program,<ref name="Working 2008" /><ref>{{cite web |date=December 22, 2008 |title=Unity Temple wins $200K grant |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2008/12/22/unity-temple-wins-200k-grant/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref> contingent on the congregation raising an equivalent amount for the temple's restoration.<ref name="Stempniak w160" /> The next year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added Unity Temple to its [[America's Most Endangered Places]] list,<ref name="Stempniak w160" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lacayo |first=Richard |date=April 27, 2009 |title=The Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2009/04/27/the-eleven-most-endangered-historic-sites/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |magazine=Time |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Pogrebin |first=Robin |date=April 27, 2009 |title=Preservation Group Lists Most Endangered Places |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/arts/design/28enda.html?_r&#61;1 |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US }}</ref> and the temple received more than $82,000 for visitor services such as tours and brochures.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vassolo |first=Elizabeth |date=September 10, 2009 |title=Unity Temple awarded improvement grant |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-unity-temple-awarded-imp/165012651/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=0.1 }}</ref> By then, the renovation was scheduled to cost $20–25 million,<ref>{{cite web |last=Dechter |first=Felicia |date=September 24, 2009 |title=Gala to celebrate 100 years of Unity Temple |url=https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012007-12312009&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20090924_english_12&df=11&dt=20 |access-date=February 9, 2025 |work=Forest Leaves |pages=12, [https://riverforest.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01012007-12312009&e=unity%20temple&m=between&ord=e1&fn=forest_leaves_usa_illinois_river_forest_20090924_english_15&df=11&dt=20 15] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Von Rhein |first=John |date=May 14, 2009 |title=Chicago Chamber Musicians to help Unity Temple effort |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-chicago-chamber-musician/165011944/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=3.3 }}</ref> and the Restoration Foundation hoped to raise more money for restoration if the building were designated as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bergin |first=Mary |date=June 26, 2016 |title=Take Ten: Frank Lloyd Wright sites |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news-take-ten-frank-lloyd-wrigh/161909130/ |access-date=December 30, 2024 |work=Kenosha News |pages=45 }}</ref>

==== 2010s to present ====
[[File:Unity Temple.JPG|thumb|Interior of the auditorium, facing the pulpit|alt=Interior of the auditorium as seen from the balcony. There is a wooden pulpit near the wall at the far end. Stairs ascend and descend on either side of the pulpit.]]

Most of the letters from the sign above Unity Temple's main entrance were stolen in 2010, shortly after the roof was replaced for $500,000.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 4, 2010 |title=Century-Old Bronze Letters Stolen off Unity Temple |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/local/landmark-unity-temple-oak-park-stolen-letters/2088849/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=NBC Chicago |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 4, 2010 |title=Thieves Steal Bronze Lettering Off Historic Temple |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/46691/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=CBS Chicago }}</ref> After the congregation raised $3,000 to replace the letters,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jaworski |first=Jim |date=October 27, 2011 |title=Stolen Unity letters expected to be replaced |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-stolen-unity-letters-exp/165015637/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |pages=0.3 }}</ref> a local preservation firm installed a new sign above the entrance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Malina |first=Amy |date=February 9, 2021 |title=Victory over the elements |url=https://www.forestparkreview.com/2012/08/14/victory-over-the-elements/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Forest Park Review }}</ref> The [[Alphawood Foundation]] pledged $10 million toward the temple's restoration in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lothson |first=Anna |date=May 15, 2013 |title=Chicago foundation pledges $10 million toward Unity Temple restoration |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2013/05/15/chicago-foundation-pledges-0-million-toward-unity-temple-restoration/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 16, 2013 |title=Deal reached to restore Frank Lloyd Wright temple in Oak Park |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-taylorville-daily-breeze-courier-dea/165017142/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=The Taylorville Daily Breeze Courier |pages=5 |agency=Associated Press }}</ref><ref name="Bentley o054">{{cite web |last=Bentley |first=Chris |date=May 16, 2013 |title=Unity Temple Congregation May Yield Ownership in Costly Restoration Campaign |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2013/05/unity-temple-congregation-may-yield-ownership-in-costly-restoration-campaign/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=The Architect's Newspaper }}</ref> The congregation also considered transferring ownership of the temple to Alphawood so that organization could help maintain the building.<ref name="Bentley o054" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 24, 2013 |title=Unity Temple ownership could change hands |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/05/24/unity-temple-ownership-could-change-hands/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Bey |first=Lee |date=May 15, 2013 |title=Congregation mulls yielding ownership of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed church |url=https://www.wbez.org/culture/2013/05/15/congregation-mulls-yielding-ownership-of-frank-lloyd-wright-designed-church |access-date=January 29, 2025 |publisher=WBEZ }}</ref> By early 2015, the Restoration Foundation had about $11.5 million<ref name="Mullen s067">{{cite web |last=Mullen |first=Caitlin |date=August 3, 2015 |title=Dust flying as Unity Temple restoration gets fully underway |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/08/03/dust-flying-as-unity-temple-restoration-gets-fully-underway/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 }}</ref> or $12.5 million on hand.<ref name="Hernandez z123">{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Alex V. |date=March 23, 2015 |title=Unity Temple congregation finds new home as renovation nears |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/03/23/unity-temple-congregation-finds-new-home-as-renovation-nears/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 |page=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-unity-temple-finds-new-h/165017378/ TAB-16] }}</ref> Restorers drew up detailed plans to repaint the building, restore the original architectural features, and repair mechanical systems; the plans needed approval from three agencies before renovations could start.<ref name="Mullen s067" />

A full restoration began in 2015,<ref name="Johnson o698" /><ref name="Inklebarger t044">{{cite web |last=Inklebarger |first=Timothy |date=June 23, 2015 |title=Unity Temple under wraps as restoration begins |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2015/06/23/unity-temple-under-wraps-as-restoration-begins/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref> at which point the project was to cost $23 million<ref name="Johnson o698" /> or $25 million.<ref name="Inklebarger t044" /> The congregation relocated that June;<ref name="Johnson o698" /><ref name="Inklebarger t044" /> services were hosted in the nearby United Lutheran Church, while church officials also used an administrative office on South Boulevard and another office nearby.<ref name="Hernandez z123" /> The first phase of the project involved replacing the skylights, roof, and shotcrete facade. A second phase included the geothermal and HVAC system, new art glass, and new light fixtures.<ref name="Inklebarger t044" /> The windows were restored in California, and new electric wiring, glass, and wood finishes were added.<ref name="CBS Chicago 2017 o792">{{cite web |date=May 25, 2017 |title=Unity Temple Reopens After Multi-Million Dollar Renovations |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/unity-temple-renovations-frank-lloyd-wright/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=CBS Chicago }}</ref> The project was supposed to be completed in late 2016<ref name="Mullen s067" /> but was postponed by several months because of restorers' focus on architectural details.<ref name="Mullen o997">{{cite web |last=Mullen |first=Caitlin |date=November 29, 2016 |title=Unity Temple restoration now expected to be complete in March |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/11/29/unity-temple-restoration-now-expected-to-be-complete-in-march/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 }}</ref> The congregation bought the nearby Oak Park Billiards building at South Boulevard in 2016, which was also renovated.<ref name="Mullen o997" /><ref>{{cite web |date=September 28, 2016 |title=Oak Park Church to Sell Iconic Billiards Tables |url=https://news.wttw.com/2016/09/28/oak-park-church-sell-iconic-billiards-tables |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=WTTW News |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Inklebarger |first=Timothy |date=October 4, 2016 |title=Unity Temple to open offices, classrooms in old pool hall |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2016/10/04/unity-temple-to-open-offices-classrooms-in-old-pool-hall/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref>

Following a preview event in May 2017 to mark the renovation's completion,<ref name="Gauer x647" /><ref name="CBS Chicago 2017 o792" /> the temple formally reopened on June 17, 2017,<ref>{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Sean |date=June 18, 2017 |title=Frank Lloyd Wright's newly-restored Unity Temple reopens its doors |url=https://wgntv.com/news/frank-lloyd-wrights-newly-restored-unity-temple-reopens-its-doors/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |publisher=WGN-TV }}</ref> and tours resumed that July.<ref>{{cite web |last=Koziarz |first=Jay |date=June 29, 2017 |title=Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's restored Unity Temple starting this weekend |url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/6/29/15881910/frank-lloyd-wright-unity-temple-tours |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=Curbed Chicago }}</ref><ref name="Dechter 2017">{{cite web |last=Dechter |first=Felicia |date=July 2, 2017 |title=Column: Unity Temple tours to showcase renovation work |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2017/07/02/column-unity-temple-tours-to-showcase-renovation-work/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 }}</ref> About half of the construction cost had been raised at the time.<ref name="Hindery h568">{{cite web |last=Hindery |first=Rachel K. |date=May 26, 2017 |title=Unity Temple officials on restoration of 'internationally iconic' Frank Lloyd Wright building |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2017/05/26/unity-temple-officials-on-restoration-of-internationally-iconic-frank-lloyd-wright-building/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 }}</ref> After a developer proposed a 28-story tower nearby in 2018, the church's board of trustees expressed concerns that the tower would cast shadows on the temple;<ref>{{cite web |last=Inklebarger |first=Timothy |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Unity Temple congregation opposes Golub tower |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2018/12/19/unity-temple-congregation-opposes-golub-tower/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Schering |first=Steve |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Expressing 'serious concerns,' Unity Temple board announces opposition to proposed 28-story development |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/12/18/expressing-serious-concerns-unity-temple-board-announces-opposition-to-proposed-28-story-development/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |issn=1085-6706 }}</ref> the tower was eventually canceled.<ref>{{cite web |last=Inklebarger |first=Timothy |date=March 22, 2019 |title=Golub pulls plans for 28-story high-rise |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2019/03/22/golub-pulls-plans-for-28-story-high-rise/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref> Alan Taylor resigned as Unity Temple's senior minister in 2021.<ref name="Holmes h818">{{cite web |last=Holmes |first=Tom |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Unity Temple's minister, Alan Taylor, leaving after 18 years |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2021/04/09/unity-temples-minister-alan-taylor-leaving-after-18-years/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref> Roger Bertschausen became the senior minister in 2023,<ref name="Holmes e727">{{cite web |last=Holmes |first=Tom |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Unity Temple welcomes a 'temporary/long term' leader |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2023/09/19/unity-temple-welcomes-a-temporary-long-term-leader/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal }}</ref> and the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation was dissolved that year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sheridan |first=Stacey |date=October 10, 2023 |title=The foundation designed to restore Unity Temple is dissolving |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2023/10/10/the-foundation-designed-to-restore-unity-temple-is-dissolving/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Wednesday Journal |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Pride |first=Ray |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Today In Culture, September 25, 2023: Unity Temple Foundation Closing |url=https://www.newcity.com/2023/09/25/today-in-culture-september-25-2023-unity-temple-foundation-closing-jeffs-to-honor-falls-more-nobodys-darling/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Newcity }}</ref>