Editing Unity Temple (section)

=== 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>