Who We Are

Flash back to 1950. If you were asked to name the seventh largest city in the United States, the city with the tagline “Best Location in the Nation,” or asked what city was awarded “All-American City” by the National Civic League – your answer would be Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland rode the tsunami that was the Industrial Revolution but crashed hard during last half of the 20th century. Once nicknamed “The Forest City” for its beautiful shade trees planted by William Case, the city’s first Cleveland-born mayor, recently Cleveland was nicknamed by Forbes Magazine as “The Most Miserable City in America.”

So what will it take for Cleveland to be restored to a city of prominence? Above all, it needs something to believe in. Cleveland has put its faith in so many people and programs that have failed to deliver what was promised, leaving most to conclude there is no hope for the city. But there is a road less traveled in Cleveland: believing in Christ.

Therefore, the promise of the Gospel is appealing because it gives us hope from God Himself and not another man-made initiative. As people begin to make sacrifices in the name of Jesus for the lost and broken families of Cleveland, hope can return to the city like never before. Now imagine an entire generation of new churches that brought hope through the Gospel restoring cities all over the world. The effect on cities like Cleveland would be monumental. This is the vision of Forest City Church.

Believe in Christ, Hope in People, Imagine a World Restored

Our world is increasingly becoming a blend of races and cultures. At Forest City, we believe church on Sunday morning no longer needs to be the most segregated hour in America. We desire our church to reflect the diversity of Shaker Square and the "Heights" suburbs in general.

Our name comes from an old nickname for Cleveland, OH, "The Forest City":

FOREST CITY, Cleveland's long-time nickname, has murky origins. An obituary of TIMOTHY SMEAD claims that "while in an editorial capacity Mr. Smead gave to Cleveland the name of Forest City" (PLAIN DEALER, 4 Jan. 1890). Credit for inspiring the name, however, is generally given to WM. CASE†, secretary of the Cleveland Horticultural Society in the 1840s and mayor (1850-51), who encouraged the planting of shade and fruit trees. The Forest City Race Track, opened in 1850, is the earliest-known business use of the name. It was followed in 1851 by the Forest City Agricultural Warehouse, Bank, Bath House, Cricket Club, and Lyceum. A hotel using the name, the Forest City House, was incorporated in Mar. 1851. A city Dept. of Forestry & Nurseries was established in 1897, as the city launched a new effort to save trees. In the late 1930s, with Works Progress (later Work Projects) Admin. aid, the city's Bureau of Horticulture planted more than 13,000 trees in city parks. A count in 1940 found 221,198 trees in the city in addition to 100,000 others in the parks. "Forest City" was still the name of some 30 large and small firms in Greater Cleveland in 1994.

We believe new churches are the key to returning Cleveland to the great city it once was.

A society is only as strong as its families. At Forest City we want to be a blessing to you and your whole family. We strive to be a church for all generations.