Friday, September 12, 2025

CedarCreek launched its very first public service on October 8, 1995, at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg, Ohio, with 185 people in attendance. Today, as we approach our 30-year celebration, CedarCreek has 7 campuses serving more than 6,500 people every week!

So how did campus growth unfold?

Perrysburg Campus
In 2000, CedarCreek purchased 19 acres on Lime City Road. By 2001, services had outgrown the space, moving temporarily to the old Perrysburg High School while construction began. The new building phase 1 opened in 2002 and became the foundation for CedarCreek’s future growth. (Check out the Phase II video!)

Whitehouse Campus
In 2006, CedarCreek launched its first multisite in Anthony Wayne High School. Volunteers went back to their roots and set up “portable church” every weekend—rolling in trailers, setting up classrooms, and playing back Saturday’s message via DVD on Sunday mornings.

In October 2009, a permanent Whitehouse Campus opened, providing the right environment to thrive.

West Toledo Campus
Easter 2008 marked the opening of the West Toledo Campus and CedarCreek’s first live-streamed service. Despite a few technical hiccups, the experience was groundbreaking and set the model for future multisite growth. West Toledo quickly became a vital community hub and shaped CedarCreek’s approach to replicating campuses.

South Toledo Campus
The fourth campus opened in December 2011. Earlier attempts to repurpose a YMCA building were met with resistance, but ultimately CedarCreek found its home in South Toledo. At the time of opening, Ben Snyder was selected as the Campus Pastor and captured the heart of the moment in an interview for the Toledo Blade: “We are really excited to be part of the community here and doing what we love to do with CedarCreek.”

Internet Campus
The “iCampus” went live publicly in February 2011, though an early test stream had been running since August 2010 (nicknamed the “Pirolli Couch Campus” after Brent Pirolli, Senior Director of IT). At its launch, more than 1,200 people from 27 states and 8 countries joined online—including U.S. soldiers overseas. As former Lead Pastor Lee Powell explained to the Sentinel Tribune, “The goal wasn’t necessarily to go worldwide,” but Facebook helped the launch go viral. The Internet Campus became a lifeline for many and extended CedarCreek’s reach globally.

Findlay Campus
In September 2014, CedarCreek opened its Findlay Campus in the Findlay Village Mall, transforming a former movie theater into a worship space for up to 1,500 people.

A decade later, in September 2024, Findlay celebrated a brand-new home through a merger with Stonebridge Church. At the ribbon cutting, the Findlay Mayor, Sheriff, and Chamber of Commerce, as well as a representative from Congressman Bob Latta’s office were guests to welcome the new Findlay Campus home.

Oregon Campus
Last, but certainly not least, in September 2018, CedarCreek launched its sixth physical campus in Oregon, Ohio. This location was previously Grace Evangelical Church, and is the same church where Lee Powell was the Associate Pastor, prior to leaving to start Cedar Creek Community Church in 1995. The church had been through some challenges in the prior years and through some God-led conversations, a plan was put in place to launch a CedarCreek campus.

From hotels and high schools, to DVD led services and global reach, CedarCreek’s story is one of God’s faithfulness and people stepping out in faith.

These campuses are more than just buildings. They are places where lives are changed, communities are served, and the love of Jesus continues to spread.

Make sure to join us theweekend of October 4/5 and be a part of remembering more moments that made these last 30 years so special and to look forward to what’s next.  

History and timelines provided in part by Brent Pirolli. Brent is a founding member of CedarCreek Church and has been on staff for nearly 25 years. He currently serves as the Senior Director of I.T.

Sources: 
CedarCreek readies to open fourth church – Toledo Blade, Nov 2011: Link ↩

CedarCreek Church opens its online virtual campus – Sentinel-Tribune, Mar 2011: Link ↩

CedarCreek Church expanding to Findlay – WTOL, Sept 2014: Link ↩

Religion Offerings: CedarCreek adds campus in Oregon – Toledo Blade, Aug 2017: Link ↩