Cornerstone, a nonprofit corporation, was started in 1976 by members of Grace and Peace Fellowship, PCA, to address a need for stable, low-income housing in St. Louis city. We have always focused on rehab rather than building new; our Bible verse is Isaiah 58:12:

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

More recently, board members have come from several churches.

Efforts began with the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, which was in decrepit condition at the time. Cornerstone bought a number of buildings there and worked on rehabbing them. As the neighborhood gentrified, most of these were eventually sold to provide operating revenue.

In about 1990, Cornerstone began buying properties on Etzel Street in the West End, roughly near Page at Skinker, and rehabbing there. Today that is where most of the Cornerstone buildings are. In the meantime, New City Fellowship chose to begin ministries in the same area.

The new project at 5936-38 Etzel is currently a duplex in unoccupiable condition. We will make it into two efficiencies on the first floor, plus a three-bedroom apartment on the second floor. We are hoping the two efficiencies will make great dwelling places for graduates of the Grace and Peace Winter Shelter. This housing is not transitional; it will be managed like other Cornerstone housing, with the tenants free to stay as long as they like and as long as they hold to terms of the lease.