Mission
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.
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cornerstone and Huntington Avenue History
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.
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.
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. By the 1960s the congregation had outgrown the Huntington Avenue
sanctuary. A new sanctuary was completed in 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
its location to the east side of town and change the name to Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Land was
purchased on the east sideof Highway 49 for the construction. During the time the new structure was being
built, we held 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 August 5, 2001.
The Education Building was added in 2005. The building houses Sunday school and Bible study classes
and also has a kitchen and a small fellowship room area.
In 2009 we welcomed Pastor Chris Cooper and his wife Kathy. Today, the church enjoys an active membership
and continues to grow and prosper. The church offers three worship services (blended, contemporary and
traditional) and two services for children. (Click the worship menu button on the left for more information.)
Use this link (United Methodist Church History) for information on the origins of the United Methodist Church.
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.
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.
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. By the 1960s the congregation had outgrown the Huntington Avenue
sanctuary. A new sanctuary was completed in 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
its location to the east side of town and change the name to Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Land was
purchased on the east sideof Highway 49 for the construction. During the time the new structure was being
built, we held 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 August 5, 2001.
The Education Building was added in 2005. The building houses Sunday school and Bible study classes
and also has a kitchen and a small fellowship room area.
In 2009 we welcomed Pastor Chris Cooper and his wife Kathy. Today, the church enjoys an active membership
and continues to grow and prosper. The church offers three worship services (blended, contemporary and
traditional) and two services for children. (Click the worship menu button on the left for more information.)
Use this link (United Methodist Church History) for information on the origins of the United Methodist Church.
Cornerstone United Methodist Church
Church Home:
1910 Disciple Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870.932.2718
1910 Disciple Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870.932.2718
Cornerstone Mission and Church History
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|