1990 to Today

January 1990 through April 5, 1992 were productive and exciting years. Unity continued its meaningful worship and to serve community needs. On the evening of April 6 a fire swept through Unity's sanctuary destroying everything but the exterior stone walls. A financial appeal was mailed to parishioners and former parishioners, and they overwhelmingly responded. Eighteen months and many committees later the sanctuary was rededicated November 20, 1994. The seating was now changeable, allowing for large and small seating arrangements. With a variety of seating arrangements, the sanctuary is now also used by UMSL's Music Department for various musical concerts.

Pastor Herb, after faithfully serving Unity for thirty years, decided to retire January 31, 1994. After a Call Committee was organized (another committee with the rebuilding still in progress), Rev. Tony Kluender accepted Unity's call and was installed as Unity's fourth pastor on February 1, 1995.

A new women's Bible study group, Clara Circle, was introduced October 1995; the little blue hymnal, With One Voice, was first used in December 1995.

Since everything in the sanctuary was destroyed by the fire, a new pipe organ was purchased from the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company. An organ dedicatory recital was played by Dr. Paul Manz January 1996. Dr. Manz had also played the dedicatory recital in January 1971 when the (then) new Bosch pipe organ was purchased.

An historic agreement between Lutherans and Catholics was signed on October 31, 1999.

Pastor Tony resigned September 17, 2003 and Pastor Herb played a return engagement as Unity's interim pastor from October until January 2004. Between January and June 2004 Unity had two interim pastors (Rev. Joyce Gerwing and again Pastor Herb) until Rev. Robert Trautmann was named interim pastor. His unexpected death on December 27, 2005 was devastating for Unity.

In May 2004 Elder Kelvin Sykes requested, and Unity's council welcomed him, use of our worship space for his church, Death to Life Ministries, a startup Pentecostal Christian congregation.

Rev. Karen Scherer accepted Unity's call as our fifth pastor and was installed March 5, 2006.

Our present hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (the "Red Book"} was introduced the first Sunday in Advent 2006.

A 75th anniversary celebration committee was formed in January 2007. The committee mailed invitations to former parishioners; monthly events were planned; a design for front yard re-landscaping has been implemented; and a banquet celebration planned for November 11, 2007.

And the by-words from Unity's early beginnings return: Always food, fun and fellowship!