PHOTO OF THE DAY: FROM 1977 TO TODAY
This photo was posted to the Heritage Hall Museum & Archives Facebook page on Monday, along with the following explanation.
Today we know the building on the east side of Highway 81 south of Ralph’s Feed and southeast of the Freeman Shopping Center as the Fellowship Harvest Community Church.
But in a previous life – for more than three decades – it was home to the Cornerstone Steakhouse, a restaurant with a unique focus.
At the groundbreaking for the new structure in 1977, Quentin Groves, president of the Freeman-based corporation that undertook the project, said the purpose of the cornerstone would be “to glorify the Lord” – thus the name – “and provide a wholesome and pleasant dining atmosphere.”
The restaurant opened in September 1978, featuring an extensive menu and live gospel music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It could accommodate 300 people and included two large party rooms. The dining area included a stage, fireplace and fountain. It was open Tuesdays through Sundays with noon and evening meals.
But two years later, the Cornerstone closed its doors after mounting financial challenges led to filing for bankruptcy.
The restaurant remained shuttered for a year.
In October of 1981, the building, land and contents were sold in a foreclosure sale at the Hutchinson County Courthouse; Jonathan Mendel of Freeman was the successful bidder. Because he purchased it in a complete state – and because it was in operational condition – Mendel was able to open the restaurant the next month. He retained the name and theme. Mendel and his wife, Angeline, operated the Cornerstone for the next 27 years. The Cornerstone was known for its Saturday evening gospel music and Sunday noon buffet.
In addition, the Cornerstone was a popular venue for meetings and programs ranging from family reunions to parties to Freeman Chamber of Commerce meetings to fashion shows to organizational and business meetings to fundraising gatherings to dinner theater.
In May 2008, Mendel announced he was retiring and closing the restaurant, which had scaled back to being open just Saturday evenings and Sunday noons.
A month later, the former restaurant had been sold and become a church; Fellowship Harvest Community Church opened its doors on June 1, 2008, with Randy Tschetter as pastor. It continues as a church with Joe Mason serving as pastor.
