Our History

Believing God had called him to be a Missionary Church Planter in Canada, Pastor Rice, his wife, and his infant daughter flew to Alberta after graduating from Bible College for a survey trip seeking God’s will regarding where the Lord would lead them to plant an Independent Baptist Church. They spent a week with a Baptist Church in Calgary; then they travelled to Edmonton for a visit where God would confirm in Pastor Rice’s heart that the people of Edmonton were those that God would have him minister to.

After that trip in July of 2001, the Rice family would travel to churches across the US, presenting the need for prayers and provisions toward a church plant in Edmonton.

A family portrait of four people with a city skyline in the background, featuring text that reads 'The Rice Family' and 'Missionaries to Edmonton, Alberta Canada'.

On July 6th, 2005, the Rice family, consisting of Brian, Carrie, Rebekah, and Elisabeth, would cross the border into Alberta with all their earthly belongings heading for the City of Edmonton. July 7th would find the Rice family moving into their first rental home in the city. On July 10th, just three days after arriving in Edmonton, the first services of Cornerstone Baptist Church of Edmonton would be held at the Spruce Avenue Community Hall at 10240 115th Avenue. Counting the Rice family, nine people attended that first service. October 5th, 2005, the Church would adopt and constitute all the governing documents regarding the organization and operation of Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Family group photo with adults and children, some girls in dresses, some boys in casual clothes, standing in front of a plain white wall.

The church would continue meeting at the Spruce Avenue Community Hall until March 2020, when the congregation would purchase the Odd Fellows Temple Building at 11201 95th Street, where it continues to meet today.

Residential building with multiple levels, small windows, beige exterior, and a sloped roof, next to a sidewalk and parked cars.

In September 2022, the Church would bring Coleton Visser on full-time staff as an intern pastoral assistant.

Large indoor gathering of people in a church or community hall, seated in rows facing a stage, with some standing and smiling. The stage has potted plants and a podium, with a speaker in a floral shirt walking toward the audience. A digital screen on the wall displays information about Cornerstone Baptist Church's 17th anniversary on July 10th. There are monitors, speakers, and lighting equipment hanging from the ceiling.

A man in a white shirt and red tie is standing at a podium in front of a classroom, pointing towards the students. The classroom has a white wooden wall, a window, and a large screen displaying the title "Stories of Grace" with colorful illustrations of biblical characters.

We are currently in a growing phase, and as we notice our facilities seeming smaller and smaller every week, we are excited to see what God has in store for our local church in the future.