Eric Butterworth, ca. 1955Eric Butterworth authored 14 best-selling books on spirituality, including Discover the Power Within You and Spiritual Economics. Eric Butterworth SingingFrom Winnipeg, Canada, where Butterworth was born on September 12, 1916, his family moved to southern California. He attended Fresno State University and then Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he studied music. He contemplated becoming a professional singer. Eric Butterworth, ca. 1954In the midst of his ministerial training World War broke out and he joined the U.S. army. As a lieutenant in the Medical Corps he trained medical personnel and also served as chaplain and counselor. After World War II, he returned to his ministerial studies. He was ordained as Unity minister in 1948. His mother May Butterworth and sister Margaret were also Unity ministers. Detroit Unity Temple congregation, ca. 1960Butterworth established three Unity ministries. The first was in Pittsburgh. He then moved to Detroit, where his teaching resulted in the building of the Detroit Unity Temple, the largest Unity church at that time. He then moved to New York City. Tom, Eric, Charles, Catherine and Alan Butterworth, ca. 1957 Eric and Olga Butterworth, September 1972This vacation photograph also includes a family pet. Eric Butterworth with Marcus Bach, September 1972Butterworth’s friend Marcus Bach, author and religious scholar, taught at the University of Iowa and founded the Fellowship for Spiritual Understanding. Bach is best known for his question and answer column for Unity Magazine. Olga and Eric Butterworth, ca. 1975Olga and Eric are enjoying themselves in butterfly inspired clothing. Olga supported the ministry in many ways and delivered hundreds of meditations for Sunday services. Eric Butterworth, 1978Eric Butterworth led the week-long retreat “The Good Life.” Butterworth’s retreats were especially popular and he originated spiritual therapy workshops, which he conducted for over 35 years. Eric and Olga Butterworth, ca. 1980The couple is greeting congregants at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City. Butterworth began his New York City ministry in 1961. He lectured every Sunday at Carnegie Hall, then Town Hall, then Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, where the weekly attendance grew to several thousand. Olga and Eric Butterworth, October 1985Olga and Eric are greeting congregants at Avery Fisher Hall. People from various religious backgrounds were attracted to Butterworth’s positive message. Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey praise his writing. Eric and Olga Butterworth, February 27, 1987Eric and Olga Butterworth at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Silent Unity building at Unity Village, Missouri. Butterworth gave a keynote address titled “Light” in the Activities Center at Unity Village, Missouri. Eric Butterworth, 1990Eric Butterworth facilitated the week-long retreat “Magical Moments of Personal Growth” in 1990. Geraldine Fitzgerald, Eric and Olga Butterworth, ca. 1990Geraldine Fitzgerald met Eric and Olga Butterworth at a New York City event. Fitzgerald had a long career on Broadway and in a variety of American films. Eric Butterworth speaking at a New York City event, ca. 1990As a theologian, philosopher, and lecturer, Eric Butterworth earned high respect for his depth and delivery of New Thought ideas. He served as Senior Minister of the Unity Center of New York City until 2003. Eric Butterworth, November 1996The fall retreat “Unleash Your Star Power” was led by Eric Butterworth, Olga Butterworth and Paul Tenaglia in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Butterworth’s gentle voice articulated a powerful message that inspired hundreds of thousands of people. Eric Butterworth, 1999Eric Butterworth visited Unity Village, Missouri for the Ministerial Education Program Intensive, on August 13, 1999. Even in his 80s he was fond of saying: "My age is none of my business," and "I am as old as God and as young as the morning." He died on April 17, 2003.
