History

A group of people, led by God and desiring to “do church” differently, began meeting together in the spring of 1999. It was in November of that same year that those individuals established Cornerstone Community Church. The following year, we called our first pastor. After meeting in a number of rented facilities, we were able to purchase fifteen acres on Old Bainbridge Trail that had formerly been the home of Samples’ Plumbing Supply. Though the property consisted of an office building and three pole barns, the church began a building project that connected the pole barns and created a place where worship and ministry could be effectively offered.

Over the next few years, Cornerstone experienced significant growth and the birth of a new passion for starting new campuses in other communities. Though the vision of the church had always been to become a regional church, we were beginning to realize that this vision would not be accomplished in a single facility. In the summer of 2005, about forty members left the Marion Campus and began meeting in a rented building on Main Street in West Frankfort. In less than three years, this campus grew from the 40 original people to about 110. The Main Street facility was full, and we began looking for another facility. Then the miracle happened! The pastor of Heartland Harvest Church approached Pastor Rob about selling their facility to Cornerstone. We purchased their facility, and this pastor encouraged the Heartland members to join Cornerstone. On March 16, 2008, this campus moved to that facility just north of Johnston City and became known as the North Campus.

Though the Marion Campus “lost” those original forty missionaries who began what is now the Johnston City Campus, God has continued to bless and grow the ministry of the Marion Campus. Because of tremendous growth, a second Sunday morning worship service was added in March of 2008 and plans for constructing a new facility began in March of 2009. It is amazing to see what God continues to do in three old pole barns!

Now, with a growing understanding of how to do ministry at multiple locations, Cornerstone is passionately committed to utilizing shared resources throughout our campuses. No matter which campus you attend, you will discover that Cornerstone Church continues to passionately pursue becoming a church that is making a regional impact in Southern Illinois. We invite you to join us for the next chapter in the life of Cornerstone Church!