Editing Unity Temple (section)

=== 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>