The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO) grew out of an interfaith service, when representatives from five religions: Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish, called their constituents to a prayer service in Columbus, Ohio. 

The call for prayer was to focus attention on the summit meeting between President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. This service expressed the common longing that Peace, Freedom and Human Dignity might be advanced at the summit. After the success of this interfaith gathering, attendees wanted to establish an organisation that would, on a regular basis, provide opportunities to come together, to hold forums for ongoing dialogue and cooperation among people from different backgrounds. Over the next seven months, the constitution and bylaws of IACO were drafted.  Between 1992 and 2014, the Sikh, Baha'l, Jain faiths and the Unitarian Universalists were added to complete the 9 faith representation of today. 

The IACO Council consists of three representatives from each faith traditions who work to educate its members and the broader public about customs and practices of faith traditions, provides opportunities for interfaith public worship and ceremonies and sponsor educational programs to discuss local and concerns across faiths.