History of Cornerstone:

Cornerstone Church began in 2001 as a church plant through the Central District (our regional ministry support team) of the Evangelical Free Church of America. In 2000, the Central District hired a new church planter named Kent McKinnon with the mission to plant churches in eastern Iowa. Kent and his wife, Jan, contacted Tony and Lisa Weber in the fall of 2000 after hearing of their desire to plant a church. The Webers were active members of Cedar Hills Evangelical Free Church in Cedar Rapids (now called Stonebridge) and had a longing to reach their neighbors in their hometown of Marion.

After several invitational meetings, a core group of 5 families committed to the work and were commissioned to begin the plant. “Core Group” meetings began in January 2001 on Sunday evenings in the Weber home with a worship and teaching time. The Core Group also worked through material supplied by the district to develop the basic structure of the new church. Along with much prayer, a name was voted on, core values were written and outreach events were planned.

Cornerstone Church began “unofficial” worship services in June 2001 at the Marion Community Center. Kent McKinnon preached on Sunday mornings and once a month a “Pot Blessing Meal” followed the service. Just days after the horrific events of 9/11, Cornerstone Church offered its first public worship service. Many visitors attended and the church met on Sunday mornings from then on. This initial year was filled with firsts for the church: first communion service, first neighborhood canvassing, first Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s gatherings. The Core Group continued to meet on Sunday evenings in order to fulfill the requirements the Central District had for a new church. In March 2002, a group of about 30 people stood up in Des Moines at the District Conference to be recognized as an official church. Several members sang, “Grace Alone” that evening as a testimony to God’s marvelous work.

Soon thereafter a pastor search committee was launched. After many interviews and much prayer, Chris Bozung was called to be the first Cornerstone Church pastor. Chris, his wife Johnna and their four young children began ministry at Cornerstone in September 2002 and served from that time until May 2009. About one year later, Cornerstone Church called their second and current pastor, Matt Proctor. Matt and his wife Carrie are native Iowans with four children.

In November 2013, Cornerstone Church purchased its first facility. They held their first public worship service at The Warehouse at 925 Blairs Ferry Road in December 2013.

Over the years our church has worshiped in various locations. One of Cornerstone’s values is that the church is a family not a building. Whether in a gym, a community center, a home school assistance office, a theater, or a warehouse the Cornerstone Church family remains committed to faith and family growth in order to advance the Gospel locally and globally.