Our Legacy

Rochester Unity started as a study group led by Rev Dona Gilsdorf on October 2, 1972, sponsored by Royal Oak Unity. In the fall of 1974, Rev Dona began teaching Unity classes in a Rochester American Legion Hall, our first home for several years. Our Rochester study group became an official satellite group of Royal Oak Unity in January of 1977, and it was time to begin considering a more permanent location. Our last temporary home was in an office building we secured in the fall of 1980 at the corner of Rochester and Avon Roads. It was here, that in 1982 we were incorporated by the State of Michigan, accepted into the Association of Unity Churches, and we welcomed our first new members as a church. Guiding us through our development, Rev Dona then led us to our permanent and current home on Harding Avenue.

In the Great Lakes Unity Region, Rev Dona dedicated her “spare” time and talent to many committees and also served as President of the Region. Throughout her tenure of nearly five decades as our minister, she established a strong consciousness of faith in the power of prayer, of prosperity and of a warm, welcoming community. Rev Dona made her transition on January 11, 2019 and her legacy of love lives on in this spiritual community.