Cornerstone United Methodist Church sees as its primary mission the
spreading of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this
community. Inherent in this is obedience to the Great Commission that we,
as Christians, “go into the world” and “make disciples” of all. Therefore, we
seek to reach out to men and women, boys and girls, and receive them as
they are; invite them into a relationship with God; strengthen them in faith;
and send them out to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Consequently, this
church seeks to provide a place of communal worship, study and fellowship
for all those who come within its doors, while, at the same time, seeking as
Christ taught, to reach beyond its physical confines to serve the lost, the
lonely, the searching, and the suffering within this community and the world.
All programs and ministries of this church shall reflect, ultimately, attention to
this total mission.
Although Cornerstone United Methodist Church sees itself as a place of
worship following primarily the traditional forms and rituals as outlined by
John Wesley and church mothers and fathers down through the years, it will
remain open and receptive to new forms of worship and expression that will
serve the needs of its membership, with special attention to those forms of
music, worship and expression that have appeal and meaning to young
people.
The Congregation of Cornerstone United Methodist Church is made up of
children, youth, and adults from throughout the City of Jonesboro and
surrounding area. The ability to draw from throughout the community is a
critical facet of the life of this church, and it shall be a goal of this church to
cultivate this ability to attract members from throughout the city without regard
to particular neighborhood of residence or economic, racial or ethnic
background. Worship and ministries shall be planned and executed with
this in mind.
spreading of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this
community. Inherent in this is obedience to the Great Commission that we,
as Christians, “go into the world” and “make disciples” of all. Therefore, we
seek to reach out to men and women, boys and girls, and receive them as
they are; invite them into a relationship with God; strengthen them in faith;
and send them out to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Consequently, this
church seeks to provide a place of communal worship, study and fellowship
for all those who come within its doors, while, at the same time, seeking as
Christ taught, to reach beyond its physical confines to serve the lost, the
lonely, the searching, and the suffering within this community and the world.
All programs and ministries of this church shall reflect, ultimately, attention to
this total mission.
Although Cornerstone United Methodist Church sees itself as a place of
worship following primarily the traditional forms and rituals as outlined by
John Wesley and church mothers and fathers down through the years, it will
remain open and receptive to new forms of worship and expression that will
serve the needs of its membership, with special attention to those forms of
music, worship and expression that have appeal and meaning to young
people.
The Congregation of Cornerstone United Methodist Church is made up of
children, youth, and adults from throughout the City of Jonesboro and
surrounding area. The ability to draw from throughout the community is a
critical facet of the life of this church, and it shall be a goal of this church to
cultivate this ability to attract members from throughout the city without regard
to particular neighborhood of residence or economic, racial or ethnic
background. Worship and ministries shall be planned and executed with
this in mind.
About Us
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| Cornerstone United Methodist Church 1910 Disciple Drive Jonesboro, AR 72401 870.932.2718 (O) email: Church Office |
| Mission Statement |
Fergus Snoddy gave 15 acres for the location of Jonesboro in 1859. This is of special interest to
Methodists because the same Fergus Snoddy was the owner of the livery stable in which the first
Methodist sermon was preached in Jonesboro. This building was on the northwest corner of Court
Square. The service was held in 1861. From this revival meeting came 24 new church members and
the beginning of the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro.
The village of Jonesboro continued to grow slowly until the coming of the railroad in 1882. From a
population of about 250 in 1880, Jonesboro had grown to 4,508 people by the year 1900. By 1910 the
population had reached 7,123. This growth and the lack of paved streets led to the founding of
Huntington Avenue Church at 900 West Monroe. Especially during the winter, it was difficult for
residents of west Jonesboro and the farm families to attend First United Methodist Church located at
801 S. Main. This led to the creation of the Walnut Street Mission of First Baptist Church and the
Huntington Avenue Mission of First United Methodist Church.
Cornerstone UMC History
Huntington Avenue Mission met in a tent which faced Vine Street. On July 23, 1914, Reverend
W. J. LeRoy was the evangelist for another revival. From this meeting came Huntington
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church South. According to an article in the Jonesboro Sun, this
was the night that the Huntington Avenue Church was formed. A simple frame building was
completed in 1915. This new building faced Huntington Avenue, but was later moved back
from the street and faced Vine for many years.
The church continued to grow and the program expanded during the next several years. In
1926, J. M. Harrision came as pastor. Shortly after his arrival, the first parsonage was built.
This house was just west of the old sanctuary on Huntington Avenue.
The frame church on Vine Street served the congregation well, but the need arose for a larger
building. Plans for a new church began to be formulated in 1937. The building fund
campaign was again successful and on August 25, 1940, the cornerstone was laid for a
large, new, brick, church. In the mid 1940s, a church building with white columns, a steeple,
and a full basement was erected on the corner of Huntington and Vine. This new sanctuary
was a well-planned building and served the congregation for 25 years.
W. J. LeRoy was the evangelist for another revival. From this meeting came Huntington
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church South. According to an article in the Jonesboro Sun, this
was the night that the Huntington Avenue Church was formed. A simple frame building was
completed in 1915. This new building faced Huntington Avenue, but was later moved back
from the street and faced Vine for many years.
The church continued to grow and the program expanded during the next several years. In
1926, J. M. Harrision came as pastor. Shortly after his arrival, the first parsonage was built.
This house was just west of the old sanctuary on Huntington Avenue.
The frame church on Vine Street served the congregation well, but the need arose for a larger
building. Plans for a new church began to be formulated in 1937. The building fund
campaign was again successful and on August 25, 1940, the cornerstone was laid for a
large, new, brick, church. In the mid 1940s, a church building with white columns, a steeple,
and a full basement was erected on the corner of Huntington and Vine. This new sanctuary
was a well-planned building and served the congregation for 25 years.
A two-story education building was added in the early 1950s, a new sanctuary facing Monroe
Avenue was completed in the late 1960s, and a Family Life Center was built in the mid 1980s
In 1951 Reverend Elmus C. Brown came as pastor. It was during his ministry that the
Lutterloh Memorial Educational Building was constructed on the grounds of the Huntington
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Another parsonage was built in 1960. Huntington Avenue Church continued to grow and by
the 1960s the congregation had outgrown the Huntington Avenue sanctuary. In 1966-67,
construction on the new sanctuary was completed. The consecration and first worship
service was conducted on May 7, 1967. The Family Life Center was completed in 1985.
Avenue was completed in the late 1960s, and a Family Life Center was built in the mid 1980s
In 1951 Reverend Elmus C. Brown came as pastor. It was during his ministry that the
Lutterloh Memorial Educational Building was constructed on the grounds of the Huntington
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Another parsonage was built in 1960. Huntington Avenue Church continued to grow and by
the 1960s the congregation had outgrown the Huntington Avenue sanctuary. In 1966-67,
construction on the new sanctuary was completed. The consecration and first worship
service was conducted on May 7, 1967. The Family Life Center was completed in 1985.
After much soul searching and discussion the body of the church made the
decision in the late 1990s to move it’s location to the east side of town and
change the name to Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Land was
purchased on the east side of Jonesboro off of Highway 49. During the
time the new structure was being built, we were fortunate enough to be
able to hold worship services in the Performing Arts Center on the Nettleton
School campus. Pastor Tommy Toombs arrived in 1999.
The first service in our own new multi-purpose building located at 1910
Disciple Drive was held on August 5, 2001. Stephen Dickinson,
Youth/Young Adult Pastor arrived in 2003. We have since added a second
building in 2005, referred to as the Education Building where Sunday
school and Bible study classes meet. The Education Building also has a
kitchen and a small fellowship room area.
Today, the church enjoys an active membership and continues to grow and
prosper. Average weekly attendance in Sunday School is between 250 and
300 every Sunday. Worship services are offered in two contemporary
formats (at 8:30 am and at 10:52 am) as well as a traditional service (at 10:
50 am) every Sunday. Worship services are also available for the children
in the form of Wee Worship and Kid's ConneXion. Worship services enjoy
attendance of around 425 to 490 each week. (Please find more
information about these services on this web site in the "Worship" link on
the left, above.)
decision in the late 1990s to move it’s location to the east side of town and
change the name to Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Land was
purchased on the east side of Jonesboro off of Highway 49. During the
time the new structure was being built, we were fortunate enough to be
able to hold worship services in the Performing Arts Center on the Nettleton
School campus. Pastor Tommy Toombs arrived in 1999.
The first service in our own new multi-purpose building located at 1910
Disciple Drive was held on August 5, 2001. Stephen Dickinson,
Youth/Young Adult Pastor arrived in 2003. We have since added a second
building in 2005, referred to as the Education Building where Sunday
school and Bible study classes meet. The Education Building also has a
kitchen and a small fellowship room area.
Today, the church enjoys an active membership and continues to grow and
prosper. Average weekly attendance in Sunday School is between 250 and
300 every Sunday. Worship services are offered in two contemporary
formats (at 8:30 am and at 10:52 am) as well as a traditional service (at 10:
50 am) every Sunday. Worship services are also available for the children
in the form of Wee Worship and Kid's ConneXion. Worship services enjoy
attendance of around 425 to 490 each week. (Please find more
information about these services on this web site in the "Worship" link on
the left, above.)
| United Methodist Church History (Learn about the beginnings of the United Methodist Church.) |