For more than 50 years, the dazzling central courtyard fountains and reflecting pools at Unity Village were iconic symbols of Unity's world headquarters. In the fall of 2003, a portion of the central fountains collapsed and the beautiful flowing waters were silenced.

Fundraising to restore the fountains began in 2007, and to date nearly 4,000 donors worldwide have contributed more than $2.5 million to the renovation project. The extensive restoration effort began last April, and on World Day of Prayer, September 9, 2010, the fountains will flow again.

Dancing Waters
“To our knowledge, it is the largest fountain installation in the Kansas City metropolitan area, simply by size. But it is also unique because our fountain is long and linear,” says Rev. Tom Lee, manager of Unity's facilities administration department and co-minister of Unity Southeast in Kansas City, Missouri. He has overseen the entire fountain reconstruction project.

Lee is excited about the capabilities of the new fountains. “One of the most significant features is the state-of-the-art computer system that can be programmed to control not only the spray jets, but also the embedded night lighting. “I am hopeful that we will have the ability to create a really attractive centerpiece with dancing waters and other features as we move forward.”

The new courtyard fountain design, created by world-renowned aquatic design firm Counsilman-Hunsaker, encompasses approximately 14,100 square feet. The main pool is 330 feet by 33 feet and is flanked by two 48-foot by 33-foot mirror pools—one on each end.

Arching above the center of the main fountain pool is the historic Unity Village Bridge of Faith, where visitors can enjoy the pastel-hued fountain pool floor that changes with ambient light. Seventy-eight fountain and center jets shoot crystal clear water in all directions.

Underground is an impressive new pump room with nearly a mile and a half of pipe that extends out under the fountain pools and seven separate pump motors, ranging from one to 25 horsepower each. The circulation system takes water from the room to the spray heads, then back to the pump room and through three filters before repeating the process.

Keeping the Faith
Overcoming hurdles to meet the scheduled September 9 celebration required a great deal of faith, Lee says. “The theme of World Day of Prayer is “Living in the Flow.” Therefore, with any obstacle we faced in the construction or whenever anyone was feeling overwhelmed, we had the ability to draw upon our faith, to bring our awareness back to that place of living in the flow of Spirit and to know that there was a divine idea just waiting to provide the perfect answer to every challenge we faced during the construction.”

Beyond managing the physical construction process, Lee has another important duty. “As a Unity minister, I am holding the positive space for all of it to unfold,” he says. “One of the most precious legacies from Unity founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore is our campus and the sacred grounds here [at Unity Village]. Like the energy and individual expression symbolized by the fountains, our faith, good stewardship efforts and awareness of how Spirit moves in and through us are revitalizing this campus.”

Additional Features
In addition to the fountain restoration, the new courtyard is open and inviting for visitors. New sidewalks extend from the rose garden to the front entrance of Unity Village. Also, 60 Armstrong Red Maples have been planted in place of Ash trees surrounding the fountains that had become diseased.

Other new landscaping includes shrubbery along the borders of the fountain, benches with memorial plaques, and “green” lighting fixtures with motion sensors and auto dimmers. Donors continue to enhance the area with commemorative brick pavers in honor of a loved one, friend or special occasion.

Lee says there is one old feature among the new ones that most people remember. “When the angle of the sun was just right, we had brilliant rainbows [on the former fountains],” he explains. “One of our hopes and dreams is that those beautiful misted rainbows will again be part of the central courtyard on sunlit days.”

Celebrate With Us
The public is invited to take part in a variety of sacred events on World Day of Prayer, September 9. There will also be a large community gala celebration in the evening, during which the fountains will be activated. Spiritus, a vocal ensemble from New York, along with Broadway singer Rosena M. Hill, will perform. All are welcome to attend.
 

Join us for World Day of Prayer.

Learn more about Unity Village.

Read about the history of the Unity Village Fountains.