Religion Scholars Find Diversity in Central Ohio

August 3, 2001

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On August 3, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch reported on the religious diversity of Columbus, Ohio. "Columbus Chinese Christian Church gives its 550 members a choice of three services -- one in mandarin Chinese, one in Cantonese and one in English...The Rev. John Kirby, senior pastor at Maize Road Baptist Church for 19 years, said he has seen the neighborhood transform as new residents have moved in, bringing their religions with them. His congregation of 600 now includes several Vietnamese members...Kirby thinks the religious pluralism seen in the Cooke-Maize Road area is a microcosm of a nation that Harvard professor...Diana Eck has called the most religiously diverse in the world."