The Church of Christ the Cornerstone

The Building

Building Plan The Church of Christ the Cornerstone is Britain's first purpose-built ecumenical city church.

The first turf on the site of the new building was cut by Lord Campbell of Eskan, the first Chairman of Milton Keynes Development Corporation on 31 May 1990. Building work began on 4 June and the church was finally completed and handed over on 20 December 1991.

The church is nearly 31 metres high while the cross rises a further 5.5 metres making it the highest point in Milton Keynes. The Dome is 20 metres in diameter and nearly 12 metres high. It is half the size of the famous dome at St Pauls Cathedral in London.

The architect for the church was Iain Smith of Planning Design Development Ltd., a local Milton Keynes company. The architects of the flanking office blocks were Conran Roche. The contract for the overall development of Church Square was won by Beazer Developments Limited. The church itself was built by Marriotts of Rushden, Northants.

The cross on top of the dome is the work of artist/metalsmith Alan Evans of Stroud and was placed in position during a special service on Good Friday 1991 that was attended by over 1000 people. The stained glass decoration under the dome is the work of Alexander Beleschenko.

The building sits on a raised plinth, the dome is finished in lead, the floors are oak and it has marbled columns. It has the unusual feature of a cascade of water over a granite wall in the internal baptistry. Untraditionally the altar faces south instead of east.

The Cornerstone building is a place of worship and a centre for concerts, recitals, exhibitions, drama and conferences. It is also home to the food corner, which serves light refreshments, the Kiosk book and gift shop, the Centre for Integrated Living, the City Counselling Centre and the Milton Keynes Peace and Justice Centre.

Continue your visit to this web site by taking a tour of the building.