Pastor Stanley B. Bennett

Pastor Stanley B. Bennett, founder of Cornerstone Baptist Church, passed away on Friday, January 21, 2022, at home surrounded by family. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Deborah Bennett; three children - Pamela (Howard McCoy), Matthew (Dale), and Jonathan (Chelsi); 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Gerrod (Alicia) and Bruce (Carrie) Bennett; sisters, Emma (George) McCorkle and Anita Bennett; and a host of other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Concy Bennett; mother, Emma Lou Bennett; brothers, George and Paul K. Bennett; sisters, Lois May and Gloria Faye Bennett.

Pastor Bennett was born in Fairfield, Alabama on August 12, 1950 to the late Concy and Emma Lou Bennett. He was the youngest boy of 21 children. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines, and served six years while stationed in Quantico, Virginia. On November 18, 1972, Pastor Bennett married Deborah Patterson.

On July 29, 1979, he asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be his Savior and followed in Believer's Baptism while living in Queens, NY. He faithfully served the Lord as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Bus Captain, and Usher at International Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York.

In April of 1985, Pastor Bennett enrolled in Trinity Baptist College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Ministries in 1989. He continued his studies at Louisiana Baptist University where he received a Master of Arts degree. He received two Honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees, one from Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL and the other from New Life Bible College in Concord, NC.

After graduation, Pastor Bennett was encouraged to come to the Richmond, Virginia area to start an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church.

On February 4, 1990, Cornerstone Baptist Church was birthed in his family living room in North Chesterfield, VA. The church quickly grew and moved to Richmond Christian School. In 1996, Cornerstone purchased 12 acres of land a few miles away, the location that would be the new campus for Cornerstone -- 6100 Cornerstone Blvd. Their first facility was a 300-seat auditorium with offices and classrooms. In 2002, the church built a second sanctuary with a seating capacity of 640.

Over the past 32 years, Pastor Bennett has been instrumental in the North Chesterfield and Richmond community, including the church's Christian school, Cornerstone Christian Academy, the CBC Food Pantry, the CBC Bus ministry, a Spanish ministry, a deaf ministry, the CBC Homeless ministry, and many other acts of service. During his ministry service, he was a Regional Vice President for Trinity Baptist College, a member of the Richmond Police Chaplain Academy, and the Steering Committee of the Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists.

He served his family, church, and community faithfully. May his legacy continue through his family and all those whose lives he impacted with the message of Christ.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 1 PM at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 6100 Cornerstone Blvd., North Chesterfield, VA 23234. Interment Church Cemetery.