Cornerstone Baptist Church stands at 3955 Wales Avenue NW, on the northwest corner of Wales Avenue and Traphagen Street in Massillon, Ohio. The independent Baptist congregation is known for Christ-honoring traditional music, clear and practical verse-by-verse preaching, and a deliberate rhythm of worship, Bible study and fellowship. Its motto is ALL ABOUT JESUS, expressed through three words: WORSHIPPING, FOLLOWING and SHARING.
Traditional Music and Verse-by-Verse Preaching
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. Services include Christ-honoring traditional music alongside clear, practical, verse-by-verse preaching and teaching from the Bible. Services generally last one hour and fifteen minutes, allowing worship to be followed by fellowship around God's Word. Evening worship begins at 6 p.m.
The audio sermon collection reflects the congregation's emphasis on biblical instruction. Its messages range through God's grace, prayer, assurance, obedience, the model prayer, the armor of God, and the blessings and responsibilities of those who follow Christ. Other sermons address anxiety, evil, excuses, sin, forgiveness, and the choice to trust God. Several titles draw on the Beatitudes, including mercy, meekness, peacemaking and poverty in spirit.
A Sunday Rhythm of 9:30 Bible Class and 10:30 Worship
Before the 10:30 service, Sunday begins with Bible classes at 9:30 a.m. The Adult Bible Class meets in the auditorium, while IMPACT, the young adult class, meets in the Fellowship Hall. Break-away Sunday morning Bible classes serve ages 6 through 18. Adults and young people study at the same hour before the congregation gathers for worship, and the day continues with evening worship at 6 p.m. The pattern combines regular teaching with two worship gatherings centered on God's Word.
Children From Nursery Through the Teen Bible Class
Children have distinct care and study options at each stage. Nursery care for ages 0 to 2 and toddler care for ages 3 to 5 are provided during every church service in safe, clean, highly staffed rooms. During morning worship, Children's Church serves children from kindergarten through fourth grade. At the 9:30 Sunday Bible class hour, Break-away classes continue for ages 6 through 18.
Wednesday's 7 p.m. gathering includes Bible Clubs for children from kindergarten through sixth grade. Junior and senior high teens meet separately in the Youth Classroom as part of Cornerstone's Youth Group, with the Teen Bible Class scheduled at the same hour. Adult Bible study and prayer also take place at 7 p.m.
Bible Study and Fellowship for Adults
Adult study continues throughout the week. The Bible Training Institute meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Prayer and Bible Study and the Adult Bible Class meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. Titus 2 Woman's Bible Study gathers on the first Monday of every month, Young-at-Heart-Fellowship holds monthly meetings, and Ladies Bible Fellowship meets quarterly.
Those classes complement the 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Class in the auditorium and the IMPACT Young Adult Class in the Fellowship Hall. The class schedule puts biblical teaching and training into regular morning and evening gatherings, matching the church's commitment to train believers to live out God's purpose for their lives.
Pastor Jeremiah Sargent and Michael Santucci
Pastor Jeremiah Sargent leads Cornerstone Baptist Church. Michael Santucci serves as Youth and Music Director, placing a named leader over youth work and music.
Free Rides to Sunday and Wednesday Gatherings
Cornerstone provides free transportation to Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services for people living within the Massillon or Jackson township area. Children riding the bus must be at least five years old and have written permission from a parent or guardian. The rides cover the church's main Sunday gathering and its Wednesday evening ministries, including children's Bible Clubs, the teen class, and adult Bible study. Families in the eligible area who need a ride may call the church at 330-832-6199.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Cornerstone is independent Baptist and seeks to follow the teachings of God's Word in all matters of faith and practice. It takes God's instructions seriously and aims to live them out in a way that glorifies God and demonstrates Christ to others. The Gospel teaching begins with humanity's problem: all have sinned, and sin brings suffering and death. Its account of the original world describes God creating everything in perfection before Adam and Eve's disobedience brought painful consequences into human life.
The solution is Jesus. In Cornerstone's teaching, he is the second Adam who lived a perfect life, died for sin, rose from the dead, and defeated death so people can receive forgiveness and eternal life. Its invitation is to turn to God and trust Jesus alone for salvation from eternal judgment. Those who confess Jesus with their mouth and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead are promised forgiveness and eternal life. The teaching presents God's rescue of humanity's eternal future as an invitation to be safe with him forever.
Worshiping, Following, and Sharing
That focus fits the church's three-word motto. Worshiping points to the 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday gatherings with traditional music and biblical preaching. Following points to verse-by-verse teaching, Bible Training Institute, and classes for children, youth and adults. Sharing points to the church's stated dedication to sharing the Gospel both locally and around the world.
Cornerstone also makes spiritual resources available, including a free ebook of Cary Schmidt's Done.: What most religions don't tell you about the Bible. The short book addresses what happens after death and presents God's desire to make a person's eternal future safe with him. The resource reflects the same direct teaching emphasis found in the church's Gospel explanation.
A Welcome Without an Expected Offering
Newcomers are not expected to give an offering. The church's aim is for its services and ministries to help people, and it hopes visitors will find a warm family spirit, truth from God's Word, and a place to grow in God's grace. The same welcome is extended to people returning after a long time away from church, with Cornerstone describing itself as a place that can feel welcoming and like home.
At 3955 Wales Avenue NW, Cornerstone Baptist Church is an independent Baptist community centered on worship, obedience to Scripture, practical teaching, fellowship and sharing the Gospel. Its week brings traditional Sunday services, weekday Bible study, age-specific classes and free local transportation together around one stated aim: All About Jesus.