Our History
In 1964 a young man named Bob Swanger went door to door for six months inviting people to be a part of a new church that officially began as Christ the King Lutheran Church on East Dublin-Granville Road in North Columbus. In 1986 the growing congregation sold their existing property to buy land on Worthington Road in southern Delaware County in order to build a new auditorium and school.
The new church building on Worthington Road was completed in October of 1987 and the name of the church was changed to Christ the King Church. In 1988 a new building was added for Christ the King Christian School. NP Limited Corporation approached CTK about purchasing the property and relocating the church to new land to make room for an interchange off Interstate 71, now known as Polaris Parkway. Ground breaking for the new building on Polaris Parkway began in September 1990. At this time, Bob Swanger shifted his focus to World Missions and Church planting and Rey Dempsey became the Senior Pastor in March of 1991.
On December 8, 1991, the first service was held in our present auditorium. In 2002, Pastor Rey Dempsey retired after 14 years of service in the ministry and Bennett Smith who had been the Youth/Children’s Pastor for 9 ½ years became the new Senior Pastor. At this time we became The Church at Polaris and Polaris Christian Academy. Names that we believe reflect our calling to make a difference in the Polaris Community.
In 2005 the new main entrance, café’ and children’s auditorium were added. In 2006 The Gathering Place Polaris, our Early Education/Childcare Center was completed providing much needed children’s ministry space for our weekend services. The common theme throughout our journey is to be a healthy, effective local church that accurately reflects our loving Heavenly Father.
