History of Cornerstone United Methodist Church

The Orange County Mission Church idea and planning was started in 1976 by the Chinese United Methodist Church of Los Angeles under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Ma.

June 1977
We began the mission church in Orange County in a small chapel at the Orange United Methodist Church in the city of Orange. Rev. Leo Hsu, Associate Pastor to the Chinese UMC was assigned to the mission church. Thirty people together with several friends, which included the five core families, Tom and May Lou, Ed and Mabel Joe, Eddie and Ruth Wong, Charlie and Minnie Lou, and Sen and Clarice Lew began Sunday evening worship services. The first choir consisted of two members, Celeste and Arleen Lew. Arleen Lew was the pianist, Bing Wong was the Administrative Board Chairperson and Craig Miller from CUMC of LA led our young people.

June 1978
Rev. Leo Hsu was officially appointed as the Pastor.

September 17, 1978
The church was chartered as "Chinese United Methodist Church of Orange County." Rev. Leo Hsu was transferred back to Chinese UMC of Los Angeles.

October 1978
We were without a pastor for four months.

February 1979
Rev. Ken Zeller was assigned as our Interim Pastor.

July 1979
Rev. Timothy Ting from Chicago, Illinois was appointed the new pastor. Craig Miller, the Youth and music director became an Ordained Pastor and was appointed to another church. Under the direction of the new music director, Arleen Lew, the choir continued their many concerts throughout Orange County, Los Angeles and traveled to Northern California performing at several churches. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship awarded the Wings of Faith Choir a certificate as one of the most Outstanding Youth Groups in the United Methodist Churches.

July 1981
CUMC of Orange County became a self-supporting church. A separate Chinese language mission under the leadership of Rev. Violet Wong was organized.

June 1985
After serving 6 years, Rev. Timothy Ting was appointed to the Alhambra United Methodist Church.

July 1985
Rev. David Tsang became the new pastor.

September 1988
We relocated to the Lark Ellen Christian Church in Brea and the Chinese Language mission church moved into a commercial complex in Walnut. Rev. Tsang was now serving both congregations.

August 1989
Rev. Marilynn Huntington, District Superintendent of Santa Ana together with the pastors of Orangethorpe UMC and Cornerstone UMC had a vision of establishing a shared facility covenant relationship. After 1 1/2 years of cooperative and careful work, the shared facility covenant was established.

December 1989
The Administrative Board approved changing the name to "Cornerstone United Methodist Church." Ministering to the Asian American community was the goal and the reason for the name change.

August 1990
After serving 5 years, Rev. David Tsang accepted a position to serve a church on the East coast. Rev. Steven Tsang became the pastor for the mission outreach which is presently located at the Rowland Heights United Methodist Church. They are now a chartered church.

August 1990 to January 1991
We were without a senior pastor.

January 1991
The church moved into the Orangethorpe UMC facilities in Fullerton.

February 1991
Rev. Daesun Chung was appointed as our pastor.

April 4, 1991
A one year trial period of the covenant relationship between Orangethorpe UMC and Cornerstone UMC Covenant Agreement began.

April 5, 1992
The covenant relationship was formally adopted by the two churches.

June 1996
Rev. Daesun Chung was appointed to Grace UMC in Riverside after serving Cornerstone UMC for 4 1/2 years.

July 1996
Rev. Jimmy S. Nih was appointed as our pastor.

July 6, 2003
The church moved into the Placentia UMC facilities. A new covenant relationship with both congregations was created.

November 24, 2003
Signing of the CUMC-PUMC Covenant at church during our CUMC Charge Conference with Rev. Cheol Kwak.

January 2004
Rev. Jimmy S. Nih leaves after serving us for nearly 7 1/2 years. In March 2004, he was appointed as pastor to San Gabriel UMC.

February 1, 2004
Rev. Jerry Owyang was appointed as our pastor and serves us at the present time.