Ohio Christian Conservative Group Pays $1.25 Million for Building Across from State Capitol
A conservative Christian lobbying group has purchased a 15,000-square-foot, six-story building across from the Ohio statehouse in Columbus to serve as its headquarters.
The Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) purchased the building for $1.25 million and is fundraising to procure another $3.75 million for renovations, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
The CCV said the building, which is also located next to the state’s largest government office complex, will house its policy, communications, and support teams as well as affiliated organizations, including the Church Ambassador Network, Ohio Christian Education Network, and Christian Business Partnership.
The group weighs in with a conservative viewpoint on issues including religious freedom, education vouchers, transgender legislation, LGBTQ+ policies, drug legalization, and abortion laws.
Aaron Baer, who has been president of CCV since 2016, said the purchase signifies his group’s ongoing commitment to affecting policy changes in the state of Ohio.
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“Our country will not be brought back from the brink by Washington D.C.,” Baer said in a video message announcing the purchase. “This movement has to come out of the states. And CCV is going to lead the charge.”
The Center for Christian Virtue, previously known as Citizens for Community Values, was founded in 1983 by Phil Burress, who is described by the Dispatch as a recovering porn addict. The organization focused heavily on moral issues including pornography and LGBTQ legislation before Baer took over and broadened its scope.
Since taking the helm, Baer has tripled the group’s annual budget and quadrupled its staff.
“While CCV continues to raise the necessary resources to renovate this historic and strategically-located facility, we give glory to God for the support of people like you that have allowed CCV to triple in size, and purchase this building,” the group said.
