Today’s Unity of Central Florida originally began as Unity Center of Orlando, first meeting in 1932 at the Tremont Hotel in downtown Orlando. Carolyn Hightower was among the members of this original group. As a frail teenager, Carolyn was told she had little time to live, but overcame the odds and lived to be 101! She credited her healing to teachings like the ones practiced by Unity. She later received a message from God to go out in the world and help, and spreading the Unity message was the answer to this calling. Carolyn became ordained in 1938 and was the founder and first minister of the church which was officially incorporated in 1939.

Carolyn was led by God to build a church to house the growing ministry. She found a donor for the land and the original church building was completed in 1942 amid the shortage of materials caused by World War II. Somehow the money and materials always appeared at the right time and the church became a downtown Orlando institution located on South Orange Avenue across from City Hall. This church was one of the first standalone Unity churches built in the country. Carolyn went on to lead the church as senior minister for 40 years.

In 1953 Unity Center of Orlando changed its name to Christ Church Unity. Over the decades, this active Unity ministry outgrew the original downtown property. In 1999 the church moved to our present campus on Holden Avenue which includes the Sanctuary, peace chapel and Hightower Hall. In 2021 Christ Church Unity was officially renamed Unity of Central Florida.

Fun Facts: The pillars in the entryway of Hightower Hall are from the original church in downtown Orlando along with the beautiful chandeliers and stained-glass windows in the sanctuary and the peace chapel.

For over 85 years, our Unity church has shone its spiritual light across Central Florida. As our founder Reverend Carolyn Hightower said, “Our Work Is the Light of the World.”