Church of Christ the Cornerstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Christ the Cornerstone |
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| 52°02′28″N 0°45′40″W / 52.041128°N 0.761099°W | |
| OS grid reference | SP850388 |
| Location | Milton Keynes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Ecumenical |
| Website | CornerstoneMK.co.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | by Queen Elizabeth II |
| Dedicated | 13 March 1992 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Ecumenical Church |
| Architect(s) | Iain Smith |
| Groundbreaking | 31 May 1990 |
| Completed | 20 December 1991 |
The Church of Christ the Cornerstone is a special church in Milton Keynes, England. It's called an ecumenical church because different Christian groups share the same building. These groups include the Church of England, the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the United Reformed Church.
This church was finished in 1991. It is located in Central Milton Keynes on Saxon Gate, near the Fred Roche Memorial Gardens. It was the first church of its kind in a city centre in the United Kingdom where so many different Christian groups work together.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
In September 1979, a special agreement was made for different churches to work together. This idea began with a service held in Middleton Hall in the Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre.
Later, on April 6, 1980, the church community started meeting at a place called Centrecom. By Easter 1981, they moved next door to the Milton Keynes Central Library.
Building the Church
The building of the church began on May 31, 1990. Baron Campbell of Eskan, who was the first leader of the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, helped start the construction.
The church was designed by Iain Smith, an architect from Milton Keynes. The area around the church, called Church Square, was built by Beazer Developments. The church building itself was constructed by Marriotts of Rushden.
The construction of the church was completed on December 20, 1991. The church community moved into their new building on January 12, 1992. A large cross was placed on top of the church on March 29, 1991. This cross was designed by Alan Evans, an artist from Stroud.
The church building is 101 feet tall up to the top of its main section. The cross adds another 18 feet, making it even taller.
A very important event happened on March 13, 1992. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened and dedicated the church. Music for this special service was created by a composer named Jonathan Dove.
The Church Organ
The church has a large organ made by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd. This organ was originally built in 1965 for the Royal College of Organists in London. When the college moved in 1991, the organ was brought to the Church of Christ the Cornerstone.
Visiting the Church
Opening Hours and Services
The church's chapel is open every day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There is also a café that is open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
On weekends, there are church services. On Saturday, there is a Catholic Mass at 5:30 PM. On Sunday, there is a morning service at 10:00 AM and an evening service at 6:00 PM. During the week, there is a Daily Prayer at 9:30 AM from Monday to Friday, and a Catholic Mass on Mondays at 12:30 PM.
See also
- Central Milton Keynes
