Church School

Why We Need Sunday School ?

Sunday School is the nurturing, educational evangelistic arm of the Church. The Church is really no stronger than it's religious education program. The Heart of the religious education program is the Sunday School Ministry. To neglect the Sunday School program means to handicap the religious education of the Church.

History Of The Sunday School At Cornerstone Baptist Church

Sunday School Started in England 1780

First known Sunday School in NYC Started 1783, by Kate Ferguson - A Black Woman

1863 Brooklyn Sunday School Day Anniversary started

1838 Law was passed for Schools to close and release our children to attend Brooklyn anniversary day

1917 Cornerstone Church School began., Rev. T.W. Fentress, Pastor: First Superintendent - Mrs. Stella Daughtry.

1932 Deacon Cyril A. Davis became Superintendent. - Attendance: 88

1939 Superintendent Davis Organized individual Departments - Cradle Roll, Primary Dept., and Beginners was formed - Attendance: 200 Students.

1941 Rev. T.W. Fentress passed.

1942 Church School Choir was organized.

1944 Dr. Sandy F. Ray assumed the Pastorate of Cornerstone Baptist Church. His great interest in the Church School inspired the Teachers, and officers to a greater study of the word. He also suggested that delegates attend various conventions in order to acquaint the Church School staff with religious training organizations, and matters pertinent to Church School work.

1944 First Delegate went to Congress. - Junior Department was organized.

1945 Cornerstone moved to 562 Madison Street - Two new Departments was added, The Intermediate and the Adults.

1947-48 The Senior Department was added - Average Student attendance: 500 - Total of 55 Officers and Teachers.

1947 July 14 - Vacation Bible School opened with 100 children

1950 Concord and Cornerstone Adult Department started exchanging Fellowship on 4th Sunday in November.

1956 Enrollment: 1,250 - Average weekly attendance: 570 - Activity Classes: 73 Young People Department was added to the Church School.

1957 Cradle Roll Department and Parent Class was added.

1958 Divisional Superintendents were appointed. During this period, Cornerstone Church School was one of the largest and most organized school at that time. Many Superintendents requested information from Superintendent Davis concerning the Church School and how it functioned.

5/11/73 Superintendent Davis was called from Labor to God's Vineyard.

1974 William H. Shell was appointed Superintendent of Sunday School.

1979 Dr. Ray was called to a Better Home.

1982 God sent us a Moses - Rev Harry S Wright, to lead his People.

1983 Deaconess Thomasena Matthews was appointed General Superintendent, Mrs. Eartha Thompson-Washington, assistant.

1984 First Teacher training classes organized.

1986 Singles Classes and The Crusaders for Christ was organized.

1990 Mrs. Eartha Thompson-Washington, was appointed General Superintendent.

1999 Total Sunday School Statistics:

Teachers 60

Superintendents & Assistants 21

Classes 31

Total Enrollment 350

Contact Us

562-74 Madison Street
Brooklyn, New York 11221
Tel: (718) 574-5900
Fax: (718) 574-6914

Email: cbc1@cornerstonebaptistchurch.net