Editing Unity Temple (section)

==== 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>