OUR HISTORY

Cornerstone Anglican Church is a member parish of The Anglican Diocese of Canada under the authority and care of our Diocesan Bishop.  Shortly after Cornerstone Church was established in Sarnia, Ontario on July 18, 2012, an encouraging letter of welcome was received from the then Diocesan Bishop which included these words:

“...what a delight to welcome you into the [Diocesan] family."

"...With God’s gracious help and loving care, you have been gathered together into this Biblically-faithful community.  May God richly bless all of you in Cornerstone Anglican Church!  And may He bless your vision of reaching those in your community who need to hear the Good News of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

"...Now, as you embrace the rewarding work of firmly planting your new parish, may your 'roots' go deep into the rich soil of God’s Word; may your 'trunk' soar high to God in worship and praise; and may your 'branches' reach far into your community as you winsomely offer the Good News to those who desperately need our Saviour.  May the joy we now share help sustain and give us the zeal to continue in this good work that God has begun in us.  Our Lord tells us in Luke 12:32-34,  'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'  Whatever challenges the future may hold, we have the opportunity to be a clear witness to our world of where both our heart and our treasure really are.  May God bless you and make you a powerful witness and a blessing to many."

Cornerstone Church's opening worship service was on Sunday, July 22, 2012 (10:30am) at the Sardo Hall on Maxwell Street.  On Sunday, September 9, 2012 the Sunday worship location moved to the gym at Sarnia Christian School (Exmouth Street and Pontiac Drive).  The congregation has continued to meet at Sarnia Christian School to the present day except for one year when worship services and ministry moved 'next door' to Living Hope Christian Reformed Church while the school building was renovated and expanded.  In September [YEAR], upon return to the school site, worship services moved into what is known as the Multi-purpose Room.  Access to this worship space is through the main entrance off of Pontiac Drive.

Why was 'Cornerstone' chosen as the name for this congregation?  Because one of the names attributed to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, happens to be 'Cornerstone.  As found in the Bible:

¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone, ²¹ in Whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 

(Ephesians 2:19-21 ESVUK)  (From a letter written by the apostle Paul.)

¹¹ "This Jesus is the Stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the Cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 

(Acts 4:11-12 ESVUK) (Words of the apostle Peter spoken to the rulers of the people and elders.)

And how did Cornerstone London get started?  At different times during the first half of 2019, some people who lived in the City of London and who were searching for an Anglican Church within our Diocese, 'found' us via internet searches and began attending worship services at Cornerstone Sarnia.  Quite the commitment for them to travel just over one hour to attend worship services with other Christians who happen to call Cornerstone Sarnia their church home!!  In August 2019, the Rector travelled to London to meet with this group to discuss the possibility of them holding bible studies and worship services in various homes in London under the spiritual covering of Cornerstone Sarnia.  Well, as the saying goes, 'the rest is history'.  From September 2019 until the end of January 2026, 'home-based' worship services and bible studies did take place.  Then on February 1, 2026, Sunday worship services in London moved to a new location: Elmwood Long Term Care Home (3400 Morgan Street).

For church members who are unable to attend in-person worship services, the Cornerstone Sarnia worship service that begins on Sundays at 10:00am is broadcast via ZOOM.  In addition, services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, as well as Christmas Day (when on a Sunday) are also live-streamed via ZOOM.

We give thanks to the Lord Jesus for His provision, for leading us, and for how He has been building, and continues to build, this church family as we continually seek "to know JESUS, that He may be known".  Since its beginning in July 2012, Cornerstone Church has had or currently has parishioners from the following communities in Ontario:  Sarnia-Lambton, London, St. Thomas, South Huron, Strathroy, Welland, Toronto, Ottawa area as well as Calgary (Alberta), Prague (Czech Republic), and the state of Michigan.

^1a Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.  (Psalm 127:1a ESVUK)

⁴² And they [the fellowship of believers] devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  (Acts 2:42 ESVUK)

^47b And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.  (Acts 2:47b ESVUK)