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 Church1910 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.
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 guiding
the growth of the congregation and the construction of the new buildings.
The first service in our own new multi-purpose building located at 1910 Disciple Drive was held on August 5, 2001. 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.
In June, 2009 we welcomed Pastor Chris Cooper and his wife Kathy. Today, the church enjoys an active membership and
continues to grow and prosper. Average weekly attendance in Sunday School is between 300 and 400 every Sunday. Worship
services are offered at three times on Sunday morning; 8:30 a.m (Blended Service), 9:45 a.m. (Contemporary Service) and at 11:
00 am (Traditional Service). Three are two children's services; Wee Worship and Kid's ConneXion. The children's services
attendence is between 425 and 490 each week. (Please find more information about these services on this web site in the
"Worship" link on the left, above.)
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 guiding
the growth of the congregation and the construction of the new buildings.
The first service in our own new multi-purpose building located at 1910 Disciple Drive was held on August 5, 2001. 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.
In June, 2009 we welcomed Pastor Chris Cooper and his wife Kathy. Today, the church enjoys an active membership and
continues to grow and prosper. Average weekly attendance in Sunday School is between 300 and 400 every Sunday. Worship
services are offered at three times on Sunday morning; 8:30 a.m (Blended Service), 9:45 a.m. (Contemporary Service) and at 11:
00 am (Traditional Service). Three are two children's services; Wee Worship and Kid's ConneXion. The children's services
attendence is between 425 and 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.) |