Who We Are

Cornerstone United Methodist Church was born on Pentecost Day, May 31, 1998, when two existing congregations merged in an effort to be better stewards of God's gifts and better serve Christ by working together.

Since then, Cornerstone has sought to create a community which truly lives up to the United Methodist motto: "Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors." As a result, we worship with a diverse group of people—diverse in experience, background, thought, and politics. Yet in the midst of our diversity, we celebrate the great uniting power of the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Our Foundation

Faith United Methodist Church began as a German-speaking congregation (Erste Evangelische Kirche) in 1855, meeting in the homes of the original founders in Hoosier Grove. By 1893 they had built the brick and stone building in downtown Elgin that became Faith Church and remained the congregation’s home until 1998.

A few miles to the west, English-speaking farmers incorporated as Plato Center United Methodist Church in 1859. For 105 years they met adjacent to the township cemetery. In 1964, they moved the white wooden building to its current location across Muirhead Road, and added a basement and small office and classroom spaces.

Cornerstone United Methodist Church continued to use “the little white church” for small events, office space, classes, and youth gatherings until it was sold in 2015. (The building is now a private residence.) Worship services were held in the Plato Center Grade School from 1998-2002.

Cornerstone had 331 founding members. On May 31, 1998, Cornerstone’s first worship service was held under a tent on the current 13.8-acre building site, purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Nelson. The groundbreaking service for the original building was held on October 1, 2000 and the building was commissioned on March 3, 2002. In August of 2007, a groundbreaking was held for a new addition to the building. This addition is currently the education wing of our building. In 2008, the original education rooms were converted into office space.

What We Believe

The United Methodist Church: Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds

Cornerstone Church is part of the United Methodist Church, whose mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Our Values: Loving God, Loving Others, Proclaiming Christ

John Wesley and the early Methodists placed emphasis on Christian living, putting faith and love into action. In that spirit, Cornerstone’s core values come from the Great Commandments (to love God and neighbor) and the Great Commission (to go and make disciples).

• Loving God: "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." - Matthew 22:37-38
  Cornerstone has ministries for people of all ages designed to build fellowship and strengthen faith.

• Loving Others: "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:39-40
  Our service and outreach efforts enable our faith to go forth into the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

• Proclaiming Christ: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 28:19
  Our worship services are designed to help us give praise to God; to listen for God's Word for our lives today, and to be challenged to live according to that Word.

Our Mission: Gathering, Growing, Going

At Cornerstone, our mission is to foster a teaching congregation that is Gathering, Growing, and Going.

• Gathering: Introducing people to Jesus Christ

• Growing: Moving people from believer to follower

• Going: Making a Gospel impact beyond the church