“What’s unique about Cornerstone?” a visitor once asked. It’s the loving family you join the moment you walk in. Cornerstone Community Church is a diverse non-denominational Christian church. It is located in Philadelphia’s Kensington section. Jesus Christ has changed lives here. Cornerstone believes that he is the source of life truth and hope.
Cornerstone’s history began in 1980. Bill Curry and students from Philadelphia College of Bible started a Thursday night ministry. Teen Club met at the Kensington Neighborhood House. Many local teens attended. They enjoyed games activities and learned God’s Word. Teen Club continues to serve young people on Thursday nights still. That’s over 40 years later.
In 1987 Kids Club started. Bill and PCB students ran it on Tuesdays for children ages 5-12. This program quickly grew and blessed many children. They loved the singing games Bible lessons and refreshments. Kids Club still meets on Tuesday nights. Over 35 years later thousands of children and teenagers have benefitted from Kids Club and Teen Club over the years.
Joe and Laurie Darrow moved into Kensington in 1988. They began to serve the community. Joe became the director of this inner city ministry. He worked to obtain a new building for the ministry. It was called the Hewitt Center. This enabled the youth ministry to expand considerably. The Darrows have served in Kensington for 35 years.
Andy and Shannon Schultz moved into Kensington in 1994. They also wanted to serve this community. They had served with the Kids Club as volunteers. Now they devoted their full-time energies to youth ministry. They have served full-time with inner-city youth for almost 30 years.
Also in 1994 Cornerstone was given a church building to meet in. It was Allegheny Avenue Baptist Church. It stood at the corner of Frankford and Allegheny Avenues. The pastor of Allegheny Avenue Baptist Church had helped Bill Curry start Teen Club in 1980. He was called to be a missionary in Nicaragua. Allegheny Avenue Baptist Church had its own rich history of ministry in the community since 1883.
Having obtained a church building Cornerstone Community Church was planted. Sunday services and Bible studies began. Pastor Joe Darrow directed ministry. Pastor David Grainge did the preaching. Youth ministries grew even more with this larger building.
Extensive renovations were done over the next 10 years. The building had deteriorated significantly. God provided funds and volunteers to do a dramatic rehab. Cornerstone was excited to have a beautiful baptismal pool and first baptisms. The first wedding was Pastor Bill and Patsy Curry in 1995.
Ministry grew rapidly. Family Night started in 1996. It’s on the first Tuesday of each month. Family Night serves many families in our community. It still continues to this day. In 1997 Cornerstone organized its first Block Party. It was a creative way to bless and reach the community. Today the annual Block Party continues. It has well over 1000 participants.
In 1998 Cornerstone purchased a large lot next to the church. They built an amazing playground and picnic grove. God gave them a wonderful place to play and fellowship.
In 2002 Cornerstone welcomed its first official members. In 2004 Bill Curry became the lead pastor. The church was rapidly growing and more people joined the staff. More new ministries were started.
In 2006 Cornerstone bought the house next to the church. The house is the center for adult Bible studies throughout the week. Eventually it also became the base for the food cupboard. About 100 families receive bags of food each week. This helps them get by.
The Lord provided Cornerstone with a new building in 2007. It’s next to the Light House. They call it the Miracle House. This house had been a drug and prostitution haven for many years. The city of Philadelphia sold the house for $1. It is now a base for the addictions recovery ministry.
Over the last 40+ years God has touched so many lives at Cornerstone. People of all ages have had their lives transformed. It happened through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hurting people have been restored. The enslaved have found freedom. Marriages and relationships have been restored. Broken families have been healed. Physical emotional and spiritual needs have been met. Cornerstone is amazed at all the Lord has done.