Cornerstone Community Baptist Church, was organized on January 18, 

1998, by Dr Rev Willie James Lawson Sr. The church was organized for 

the purpose of uplifting Christ by witnessing and working to serve 

humanity and worshipping God in spirit and truth.

Being led of God, Pastor Lawson had already initiated steps toward 

organizing the church prior to his resignation from the Mount Vernon 

Baptist Church, 441 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive N.W. Atlanta Georgia on 

sundae, February 1, 1998. Reflecting on the word of God, the scripture 

1st Corinthians guided him 14:33 “For God is not the author of 

confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

He called a meeting on January 13, 1998, at his home to discuss and lay 

out the vision given to him by the Lord. The eleven people present had 

girded themselves with the whole armor of God and were ready to go 

into the vineyard. This group served as the Contact and Support Team.

The team went to work immediately, contacting other supporters for the

second meeting which was held on January 15, 1998, at Saint Paul 

Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Howard Creecy Jr. was Pastor. We 

remember the generosity of Pastor Creecy as he opened his fellowship 

hall to Pastor Lawson and his supporters for as long as was necessary. 

At the meeting fifty-seven supporters were present. They expressed 

concerns and feelings that they were leaving Egypt led by a man sent 

from God to be their Moses in the person of Dr Rev W.J. Lawson Sr.

On Sunday January 18, 19998, supporters called Rev Lawson concerning 

worship plans. He was holding worship service at his home with his 

family and invited them to attend. Eight supports joined him and his 

family. A powerful sermon, “Give it to Jesus” was preached by Rev 

Lawson. The text was taken from Matthews 14:13-21. Seventy-four 

supporters attended a third meeting, held at Saint Peter Missionary 

Baptist Church.

Sunday, January 25, 1998 @11:00 A.M., Deacons Walter Larry, Stanley 

Pierce, and Roger Lovett witnessed the signing of a lease agreement by 

Rev. W.J. Lawson Sr. with Mr. Elroy Jefferson for the use of Christian 

Brothers Funeral Home, 1860 Glenfair Road, Decatur, Georgia for 

worship services.

February 08, 1998, one hundred eighty worshippers were present. 

Pastor Lawson revealed the name of the new church that had been laid 

on his heart by the Lord, designated as “Cornerstone Community Baptist

Church.”  The third and fourth Sundays were designated as Charter 

Membership days. One hundred and sixty individuals joined 

Cornerstone. The membership has grown and continues to grow.

As the name suggests, Cornerstone has a heart for the community and involves herself in many programs designed to enhance and minister to the community.  Some of the activities are inclusive of but not limited to; Youth Explosion, Closing the Digital Divide Computer Training, Food and Clothing Bank, Health and Wellness Symposiums, Sex Trafficking Informative Sessions, Job and Career Fairs, and Youth Tutoring Sessions.

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