County of church: Callaway County
Location of church: W. side CR 133 at jct. of CR 132 & SRs UU & JJ, Toledo (ghost town)
Church organized: 1842
Building built: 1878
Phone: 573.642.5375
"Unity Church was established on February 27, 1842 near the small village of Toledo.
"The founders were James Suggett, Noah Flood and William Jesse. Eleven Baptists of the neighborhood were the charter members,
which included Mathen Davis and wife, William Cooper and wife, Churchill Gibbs and wife, Lewis Stark and wife, Samuel Thornhill and James Suggett.
"James Suggett served as the pastor for two years with services being held in a log schoolhouse.
"William Jesse followed Suggett as pastor and served for ten years. It was during his tenure that the first frame church building was constructed in 1848 at a cost of $1,500.00. The two founders were followed in rapid succession by J.F. Smith, J.D. Gregory, Martin Bibb, W.J. Patrick and W.B. Walthall. The present building was constructed in 1878 at the cost of $2,500.00. The congregation has kept the building in good repair, adding a basement in 1952 and seven Sunday School rooms in 1968. Other improvements include vinyl siding, handicapped ramps, a covered walkway to the basement and a steeple. Today Unity Baptist Church has a full congregation of about 60 members and they continuously provide exciting activities to keep the community involved as well as various charity events. Even though Unity Baptist has undergone many changes, one thing still remains: the welcoming family atmosphere that encourages unified Christ-like fellowship while still teaching the importance of God's Word." ~ Unity Baptist Church History, Unity Baptist Church
"The church is located at the crossroads of several state and county roads. The building faces east onto CR 133, and sits on a large lot
that includes a cemetery. The cemetery markers face east and are laid in long north-south rows, though many plots appear to be
unused or unmarked.
"The church was organized in February 1842 by Rev. James Suggest and eleven original members, originally meeting in a local school
building. The congregation constructed their first building in 1848 at a cost of $1500, followed by the construction of their second (and
current) building in 1878, at a cost of $2500. The adjacent cemetery was organized in July 1880 with plots available for sale not just to
church members, but to anyone wishing to be buried there. In early 1950s, the church was raised and a basement added for social and
classroom space, and in 1968 the church began construction on the shed roof classroom addition.
"Though in many respects a typical gable-end building, the church retains much of its Late Victorian applied ornamentation, notably in
the peak of the gable end, around the entrance doors ,and elaborate hoods over the windows. The façade of the original block is three
bays wide with a centered entrance. The entrance contains paired doors (non-original, topped by a stained glass Gothic arch transom.
The transom is divided into three panels containing, respectively, a dove, cross and lamb. Around the transom is an elaborate hood
with a truncated peak. The hood is lined by an alternated square/diamond pattern. In the gable peak is a scroll-work vergeboard with
large pendant. A steeple (modern?), caps the roof peak. Flanking the entrance are tall narrow 1/1 wood windows topped by window
hoods with truncated peaks and curving scroll cut designs. Similar hoods are seen over the windows on the north elevation, though the
windows are 2/2 wood sash. On the south elevation is a shed roof addition added in 1968. The eastern wall of the addition is flush with
the original façade and contains 2 1/1 windows." ~ Rural Churches of Callaway County, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, PDF page 198