Our Story

After receiving a BA from Lee University, Pastor Tony & ShirleyAnn Scott came to Toledo, Ohio in 1974 as their first pastorate with a simple goal: help people connect with God so that they might reach their full potential. Their vision was to impact the city of Toledo. The church grew from a small group of 45 in a small to a large congregation in just a short time.

In 1983, the Church added to the current property with a new auditorium with the name of Cathedral of Praise. For 25 years, Cathedral of Praise reached out to the community with a message of wholeness in spirit, soul, and body.

In 2000, the church began to look for additional property to expand. God had spoken – “I’ve already raised up a place for you”, - waiting was the issue. After trying to purchase several other properties with no success, a couple in the church showed us the property on Strayer and after one year of negotiations, the property was finally ours.

In 2004, the church moved to Strayer Road with a new name and identity. theChurch on Strayer provided an opportunity to create inspiring new ways to reach Toledo. theChurch is made up of people of all generations and cultures reaching out to the city. Our choice of “theChurch” best fits who we are and what we do. Church is a verb. We “do” church. As His people we are called out of the world into a community of Christ followers doing His works. We are theChurch because we DO church.

theChurch now has three campuses: Our main campus, theChurch on Strayer in Maumee; theChurch on 53 in Fremont, and theChurch online. Presently theChurch on Strayer is constructing a new auditorium with hopes to have it completed by Easter 2011.

We invite you to see for yourself how exciting church can be when the focus is simple and people are free to go after God with passion.