Cornerstone Church Grand Island is a congregation of Christians that was founded in 1980. The church has since grown to become a significant part of the Grand Island community, with services regularly attracting upwards of 1,000 people. This popularity has led to Cornerstone Church Grand Island becoming one of the most high-profile targets for criminal activity in the area.
From vandalism to theft, there is nothing this congregation can’t face. In this blog post, we will explore the history of Cornerstone Church Grand Island and how it has come to face such challenges. We will also provide some advice on how you can help support this congregation in its time of need.
Cornerstone Church Grand Island History
The Cornerstone Church congregation was founded in 1874 and grew steadily from small beginnings to a thriving congregation of over 1,000. The first building on the site was a modest frame structure that served as the church’s meeting hall and schoolroom. In 1895, the congregation built its present sanctuary, a beautiful red brick structure with a steeple that dominates the skyline of downtown Grand Island.
The Cornerstone Church community is active in many important local charities and organizations. They sponsor numerous youth programs and provide support for the needy throughout western New York. The congregation also participates in national crusades aimed at saving lives and promoting Christian values.
The Cornerstone Church community is proud of its rich history, which has seen them grow from a small gathering of believers to one of the largest congregations in western New York. They continue to serve their community through their charitable work, devotion to Christ, and love for one another.
The Church’s Growth
The Cornerstone Church Grand Island began as a small gathering of believers on September 1, 2003. The congregation grew steadily through the years and in 2007 reached the historic milestone of 1000 members. In December 2007, Cornerstone Church Grand Island purchased property on Hutchinson Avenue in Grand Island and began construction on a new church facility which was completed in May 2009.
The church has continued to grow since then with a current membership of over 1400 people. Cornerstone Church Grand Island is a vibrant community of believers who have come together to serve one another and grow in their relationship with God. We aim to be a Christ-centered ministry that encourages discipleship, spiritual growth, and community involvement.
Our facilities include both an indoor and outdoor amphitheater which are used for both large and small gatherings, as well as our classrooms which are frequently rented out for weddings and other events. Our mission is to glorify God by being an obedient community of believers who teach and demonstrate His love through service. We hope to impact individuals, families, churches, and communities throughout southwest Nebraska by providing Christ-centered resources and opportunities for growth.
The Ministries Of Cornerstone Church Grand Island
The history of Cornerstone Church Grand Island spans over 150 years. The church was founded on December 5, 1887, by the Rev. A. H. Bartlett and a group of believers who gathered in a small home for worship.
In 1890, the church moved to its first permanent location on East Main Street in Grand Island. The church grew rapidly and by 1925 had outgrown their space again, this time moving to their current location on North Elm Street. In 1957, the congregation merged with First Lutheran Church of Grand Island and became known as Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Grand Island.
Today, Cornerstone Church is a vibrant community of faith with over 650 members serving North Central Nebraska. Our ministries include Sunday School for all ages, Christ-centered worship services averaging over 1,200 people each week, outreach programs including food pantries and disaster shelters, and much more!
The future Of Cornerstone Church Grand Island
The future of Cornerstone Church Grand Island is anything but certain. In the last year alone, attendance at services has dwindled by nearly a third as members have left in search of a more fulfilling church experience elsewhere. While the church is currently exploring numerous options for revitalization, including potential membership growth through online engagement, it seems clear that something will have to change if the church is to continue operations in the long term.
At its core, Cornerstone Church Grand Island is a congregation that values community and fellowship over individual experience and spiritual growth. For some members this environment may be stimulating and inspiring, while others find it lacking in comparison to what they are searching for. With dwindling attendance and little hope for an imminent turnaround, it seems clear that something will have to change soon if Cornerstone Church Grand Island wants to remain a meaningful part of the community for years to come.
Cornerstone Church Grand Island’s Origins
Since its inception in 1881, Cornerstone Church Grand Island has been a faith-based community that encourages people to come together for worship and mutual support. The church’s roots can be traced back to the 1870s, when Reverend John T. Foster began preaching in small churches in Illinois. In 1881, he founded Cornerstone Church on the prairie near Grand Island and soon had a congregation of over 100 people.
The church grew rapidly, and by 1915 it had erected a large brick building on County Road C near the city of Grand Island. The congregation continued to grow, and by 1951 they had outgrown their facility again and relocated to a larger location on East 14th Street. In 1978, the current sanctuary was constructed on this site and officially became Cornerstone Church Grand Island.
Today, Cornerstone Church continues to grow both numerically and spiritually. They minister to a population of over 2,000 people in eight churches throughout Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. Their mission is “to love God with all our hearts and souls, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to strive for justice” (Cornerstone Church website).
Cornerstone Church Grand Island’s Services
The history of Cornerstone Church Grand Island can be traced back to 1855. That year, the first Christian service on Grand Island was conducted by Rev. Asa Birdseye in a log cabin. The following year, a small frame church was erected on what is now known as Old School Square. In 1859, the original congregation voted to affiliate with the Presbyterian Church and built a larger frame church on the same site.
In 1904, the present brick church was dedicated and became known as Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Throughout its history, Cornerstone has remained an integral part of the community and has served as a cultural center for residents and visitors alike. Today, Cornerstone continues to grow and offer its services to the community at large.
Cornerstone Church Grand Island’s Impact
Cornerstone Church Grand Island is a Bible-based and evangelical Christian church founded in 1884. It has a congregation of over 1,000 people and services are held every Sunday at 10:00am. The church’s ministries focus on outreach to the community, teaching children and youth, and providing assistance to the needy. Cornerstone Church also operates a food pantry and clothing closet that provide needed items to families in need.
Cornerstone Church Grand Island’s Future
The Cornerstone Church Grand Island congregation traces its roots back to 1892, when a group of Lutheran pastors across the prairie formed the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Western Nebraska. The church building was erected in 1904 and was formally dedicated June 10th of that year. Over the years, Cornerstone has seen many changes and additions – including a new sanctuary which opened in 2002 – but the heart and soul of this community institution remains rooted in faith, family, and community.
Today, Cornerstone Church Grand Island boasts a membership of nearly 700 people. Services are held every Sunday morning at 10:00am and include both traditional Lutheran services as well as contemporary worship options. In addition to its regular schedule of events and programs, Cornerstone is also heavily involved in outreach ministry – serving as a mentor church for children and families in need throughout Central Nebraska.
The future looks bright for Cornerstone Church Grand Island. The congregation is growing steadily and newer members are joining every day to strengthen connections with one another and deepen their faith journey. With continued dedication to providing quality programming and services, Cornerstone Church Grand Island will continue to be an important part of this community for years to come!