Our History

Unity Fort Worth (UFW) was founded by Rev. Ruth Gilpin Johnson in early 1949. Rev. Johnson came directly from Kansas City and was in the last class taught by Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore. Rev. Ruth originally held classes at the Blackstone Hotel and later at the Flatiron Building in downtown Fort Worth. In 1952, land was purchased on Page Avenue, and the first Unity Fort Worth center was built. During the 1960s, the church was the largest Unity church in the Metroplex. In fact, it helped other local Unity churches become established. Rev. Ruth remained as minister until 1979. After her retirement, Rev. Bob Sikking came on board. During the early 1980s several ministers served at UFW including Floyd Howard, Kent Kissinger, David Drew, and Analea Rawson.

In September 1988, Rev. Paul John Roach arrived. He and his wife, Davis Hoffman-Roach, grew the church from 50 to over 800 members. In 2000, UFW relocated to Trail Lake Drive with over 42,000 square feet, about eight times the size of the Page Avenue church. In 2003, Davis made her transition, leaving a lasting legacy in the community. Rev. Paul John retired in March of 2018 after serving at UFW for 30 years. You can learn more about Paul on his website PaulJohnRoach.com or listen to his weekly radio program on Unity FM called World Spirituality. Upon his leaving, interim minister Rev. Nat Carter, stepped in until a new senior minister was found.

In December 2019, Rev. Jean-Marie Schweizer became the senior minister of UFW. With his experience in business and technology, Rev. Jean-Marie was specifically hired to help the UFW regain a financially sound and sustainable position while embracing the technology of the 21st century. He and his wife, Elaine, a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT), supported the community in their spiritual development and pastoral needs through the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, finding new ways of doing ministry in person and online. On March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday, Rev. Jean-Marie resigned from his position as senior minister of UFW, having found clarity on his role at UFW at the given time. He and his wife are moving from pulpit and community ministry to one-on-one counseling and consultation. You can learn more about Rev. Jean-Marie and Elaine’s further endeavors at somatma.com.

Our Campus

Here at UFW there are certain iconic structures that are unique to our church and part of our heritage and identity. A beautiful peace garden, maintained by faithful volunteers, our peace pole which was originally installed in 1992 at the Page Ave. church and was brought with us when we moved to our current location, an outdoor walking labyrinth added in 2006, and in 2008, Max & Nona Meinen presented the church with a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted totem pole.

Our People

Through the years, it’s the Board members, staff, and congregation of UFW that have made this place so special. We are truly an embodiment of universal Truth, unconditional Love, and abundant Life!