History of the Stroede Center for the Arts
The Stroede Center for the Arts was originally the First Baptist Church.  This congregation was organized in 1846 and began construction of the Romanesque style building in 1894.  Then Governor William McKinley was present at its cornerstone laying. In 1980, the Baptist congregation vacated the building for a new location, and the building was then occupied by several other congregations.  In 2007, the building was donated to the newly formed Defiance Community Cultural Council organized by the late Dr. Richard Stroede.  The structure became a cultural center and the home for the local public access television channel.

After being nominated by Historic Homes of Defiance in 2010, Dr. Stroede was awarded the title of "Preservation Hero" by Heritage Ohio.  This award focused interest on the Arts & Media Center (former name of the building) since it had been saved from possible demolition through Stroede's efforts. In 2011, the building was renamed in his honor.

Defiance Community Cultural Council
Defiance Community Cultural Council (DCCC) provides opportunities for Defiance area citizens to come together, to see, to listen, to talk, to share the rich traditions of their cultures, and to welcome and embrace the diversity of all people.  As a result, Defiance will become a more vibrant community with a sense of historical identity, cultural awareness and receptivity, a respect for historic preservation, and a commitment to lifelong learning.  Defiance Community Cultural Council is proud to be supported by the Ohio Arts Council.

Defiance Community Television
Defiance Community Television (DCTV) is your local public access station, Channel 1021,  and is a DCCC partner in advocacy for the arts.  DCTV has a long history of supporting the community while creating a media archival history of Defiance and the surrounding area.  We encourage our viewers to join us in producing programs which reflect our culture and its people.

DCCC Board of Trustees
Kristin Wendell, President; Ned Clark, Vice President; Coit Black, Treasurer; Cindy Mack, Secretary
Allen Blake, Jan Craig, Christopher Cwynar, Jill Krutsch, Eric Spiller, John Vigorito, Sharon Washington, Joel Youkers