This year Unity Magazine® is celebrating its 120th anniversary. Originally published by Unity founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore as Unity: A Magazine Devoted to Christian Healing, the first issue appeared in June of 1891.
 
Since that time the magazine has remained true to the Fillmore's vision to provide people from all denominations and faiths around the world with thought-provoking columns, insightful articles and features designed to stimulate thinking and refresh interest in spirituality.
 
A Vehicle for Unity's Philosophy
Over the years, the Fillmores published several publications for Unity including Modern Thought (1889–1890), Christian Science Thought (1890–1891) and Thought (1891–1895). But it was Unity Magazine—for which the Fillmores served as the original editors—that became the most important publication as a vehicle to share Unity's philosophy.
 
The numerous columns and departments in the magazine—such as “Questions on the Quest,” “Bible Lessons,” and “Healing Testimonials,” among others, explored a wide variety of subjects. “Unity has been described as a lay movement, started and grown by ‘religious curious folks,' not by ordained ministers breaking off from another group,” says Unity archivist Eric Page. “As a result, the magazine has always reflected that popular interest in spiritual teachings and included writing and poetry from people of diverse backgrounds.”
 
“Bible Lessons,” one of the most popular departments, appeared for more than 70 years. Charles Fillmore and his staff wrote the early lessons, accompanied by questions and answers fashioned after subjects from the International Sunday School Bible Lessons, a nondenominational weekly Scripture series. “Healing Testimonials” came from those who had prayed with the Society of Silent Unity (originally named the Society of Silent Help), which Myrtle Fillmore started in 1890 to provide prayer support in the community. Now, more than 120 years later, it is called Silent Unity, a 24/7 telephone prayer ministry that serves thousands of people each day.
 
Despite the popularity of the magazine, the Fillmores remained in the background for more than 30 years. In the first issues, Charles, who often wrote the lead article, used the pen name “Leo Virgo” for fear of rejection from business associates. Myrtle, who wrote and edited a column for families, sometimes wrote anonymously as well. In the 1920s their bylines began appearing regularly, and in 1922 they added their names to the masthead as the magazine's editors.
 
Evolving With the Unity Movement
According to Toni Lapp, current editor of Unity Magazine, although Unity's principles are still “front and center,” the content has changed to reflect contemporary society. “There is nothing that we will not discuss,” Lapp says. “We have published articles on Bible interpretation, spiritual social action, relationships, Jesus' teachings, recovery from addiction, global issues, homosexuality in the Bible, prayer and more. I think people love the diversity of topics because they love Unity and are hungry for content that ties into our teachings and principles.”
 
An article that generated a great deal of reader feedback was "My Date With God," by author Maggy Whitehouse. “In it she described a trip to London for a meeting that was subsequently canceled. So she spent the afternoon on a date with God doing fun little things she had never made time for in her busy schedule,” Lapp explains. “About a dozen people wrote to tell me how touched they were, including a few who described their own ‘dates with God.'"  
 
Unity Magazine Today
Today's feature writers and regular contributors come from a variety of Unity, New Thought and other spiritual backgrounds. They include Deepak Chopra, Bishop Shelby Spong, Rev. Robert Brumet, Rev. E.J. Niles, Mary Manin Morrissey, Michael Beckwith, Rev. Joan Gattuso and Paul Alan Laughlin, among numerous others. Some of the most popular columns and departments include: “That's a Good Question,” “Faith Matters,” “East Meets West,” “Unity Voices' and “Ask Anything.”
 
“One of the things I love about Unity is that it gives us the tools we need to rise to our highest potential,” Lapp says. “Likewise, Unity Magazine is a vehicle to help people advance along their spiritual journeys.”
 
Learn more about Unity Magazine.
 
Unity Magazine Exhibit
Now through July 28, 2011, the public is invited to the Unity Village Library and Archives to enjoy an exhibit entitled “12 Decades of Unity Magazine.” Featuring more than thirteen Unity Magazine covers and artwork from 1891 to 2011, the exhibit explores the history and anecdotes behind the publication.