Cornerstone was established 30 years ago as a joint venture by four local churches (St John’s, Grove Methodist, Grove Free Evangelical and Vale Elim). Cornerstone’s mission is to be a place where all are welcomed and valued for who they are, not for what they can do and where God is glorified in their dealings with one another.
Cornerstone is a registered charity led by a Board of Trustees from the four churches. Sarah manages the shop and Gilda oversees the kitchen team. Volunteers handle all other tasks such as serving, cleaning, and running the till. Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, including those gaining work experience or supported placements. If you can spare a few hours during the week or Saturday, please consider volunteering.
Cornerstone is more than a café – it’s an award winning Christian bookshop offering Bibles, reading notes, children’s books, and non-fiction titles on topics like marriage, parenting, depression, and spiritual growth.
Cornerstone regularly promote new books and can order items for you. Other products include greetings cards, fairtrade goods, and gifts. Cornerstone hosts craft sessions, games, fellowship events, and ‘Make and Bake’ for under 5’s every Tuesday morning during term time.
Catering services are available for parties, meetings, funerals, and whole cakes can be ordered.
Cornerstone is a not-for-profit organisation committed to serving the community by keeping prices affordable so everyone can enjoy its food, cards, books and gifts. The café aims to pay staff fairly, provide a warm welcome, and support volunteers, including those with additional needs. Wherever possible, Cornerstone also sources high-quality local and fair-trade products.
To continue this work, Cornerstone relies on donations as well as café profits. Regular monthly donations are especially valuable, helping provide financial stability, support future planning, and demonstrate strong community backing when applying for funding from churches and other organisations.
A marble donation jar also helps fund free meal vouchers for people referred by local schools, the day centre and the advice centre. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, Cornerstone provided meals for at least 60 individuals and families.
Looking ahead, Cornerstone plans to hold an Auction of Promises this summer. Anyone with a skill, service or passion to offer is encouraged to get involved. Offers will be advertised for sealed bids, with winners announced at a special event in September. Cornerstone is open, serving breakfast and lunch, from 9.30 until 2 Monday to Friday and 10-2 on Saturdays. Drinks and cakes are served until 4 on weekdays and 3 on Saturdays. To find out more see the website www.cornerstonegrove.org.uk, follow on Facebook or speak to one of the St John’s Trustees Miranda Hawkins, Matthew Morgan or Celia Terrill.
This article originally appeared in the St John’s Messenger. If you would like to discuss contributing a future article please contact news@valebenefice.org.uk.
