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Christ Is Our Cornerstone

Christ is our cornerstone

Christ Is Our Cornerstone is a hymn text by Latin hymn, attributed to various medieval sources (1200) in C.M. meter. Translated by John Chandler. Found in CW21 914, CW93 528, h82 519, lsb 912. Sung to ST. FLAVIAN.

The hymn presents Christ as the essential foundation and binding element of the Church, emphasizing the church's organic unity in Him. It reflects Lutheran understanding of the Church as the communion of saints built upon Christ rather than human institutions.

History & Background

Medieval Latin hymn translated into English by John Chandler in 1837. The hymn celebrates the Church as God's building with Christ as the cornerstone, drawing on Ephesians 2:19-21.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 914
  • Christian Worship — 528
  • The Hymnal 1982 — 519
  • Lutheran Service Book — 912
  • Lutheran Worship — 290
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 465

Translation

John Chandler

Bulletin Note

A Latin hymn from the medieval period, 'Christ Is Our Cornerstone' shaped Lutheran and Reformed hymnody alike. It draws on the metaphor of Ephesians 2:20, making Christological foundation doctrine singable and memorable for congregations.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Gospel promise of Christ's person into ecclesiology: the Church's unity and permanence rest not on earthly scaffolding but on the crucified and risen Christ, who alone can calm our anxiety about institutional fragility.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's Lenten self-denial models our repentance; His victory over Satan empowers our spiritual triumph; His presence sustains us through suffering toward Easter joy and eternal paradise.

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Anniversary of a Congregation

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Trinity 8 (2×)
  • Trinity 20 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Proper 22 (2×)
  • Confession of St. Peter (1×)
  • Easter 5 (1×)
  • Lent 5 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

The second half of the ancient Latin hymn 'Urbs beata Jerusalem' (Blessed City, Heavenly Salem), sung for the dedication of a church; translated by John Chandler. It confesses Christ as the cornerstone on whom alone we build (st. 1); fills the church with Trinitarian praise (st. 2); asks God to draw near to hear vows and prayers and pour out blessing (st. 3); and prays that grace received here remain until we are called to endless rest (st. 4). It is a classic church dedication and anniversary hymn.

Central theme: Christ the cornerstone of the Church, where God draws near in worship to give grace that lasts to eternity

Structure

Four eight-line stanzas (6.6.6.6.4.4.4.4). Foundation (1) — praise (2) — God's presence and blessing (3) — lasting grace (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout; grace given and kept.

Confessional Connections

Christ the only foundation (1 Cor 3:11; solus Christus). God present where his Word is preached and Sacraments given (AC VII; Matt 18:20). Grace kept to the end (FC XI).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Church dedication; anniversaries; cornerstone laying; general worship.

Historical Notes

'Urbs beata Jerusalem' dates from the 7th or 8th century; its second half was often sung separately. Chandler (1806-1876) translated many Latin hymns (1837).

About the Tune

DARWALL'S 148TH (John Darwall, 1770). CCEL misspelled the tune 'Darwrall's'; corrected.

Scripture References

Eph 2:19-22 1 Pet 2:4-6 Isa 28:16 Ps 118:22 1 Cor 3:11 Heb 12:22-23 Ps 100:4 Matt 18:20 1 Kgs 8:28-30 1 Kgs 9:3 Ezek 34:26 2 Cor 9:8 Phil 1:6 Heb 4:9

Stanza by Stanza

1 Christ is our Corner-stone,…

Christ is our cornerstone; on him alone we build; heaven's courts are filled only with his true saints. On his great love we place our hopes of present grace and joys above.

Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6; Isa 28:16. 'On Him alone we build' — solus Christus (1 Cor 3:11). 'His true saints' — the Church as communion of believers (AC VII). Hope rests 'on His great love' — present grace and future joy.

Scripture
Eph 2:19-22, 1 Pet 2:4-6, Isa 28:16, 1 Cor 3:11
Imagery & language
Cornerstone; courts of heaven.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — Christ the foundation.
Connection to previous
Foundation.
solus Christus the Church hope
2 Oh, then, with hymns of praise…

So these holy courts will ring with hymns of praise; we will raise our voices to sing the Three in One and so proclaim that glorious name in joyful song, loud and long.

Worship in God's house (Ps 100:4). The Trinity is praised. 'Hallowed courts' — the church building set apart for Word and Sacrament.

Scripture
Ps 100:4, Ps 150, Matt 28:19
Imagery & language
Ringing courts.
Law / Gospel
Praise.
Connection to previous
Praise.
worship Trinity
3 Here, gracious God, do Thou…

Here, gracious God, draw near forever; accept every faithful vow and notice every sigh of those who pray. Pour your blessing in abundant showers on all who pray each holy day.

Solomon's dedication prayer: 'that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house' (1 Kgs 8:29; 9:3). God draws near where his name is placed — in the New Testament, where Word and Sacraments are (Matt 18:20). 'Copious shower' — Ezek 34:26.

Scripture
1 Kgs 8:28-30, 1 Kgs 9:3, Matt 18:20, Ezek 34:26
Imagery & language
Drawing near; vows; showers.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — God's presence and blessing.
Connection to previous
God's presence.
presence of God prayer means of grace
4 Here may we gain from heaven…

Here may we receive from heaven the grace we pray for, and may that grace, once given, stay with us forever until the day when all the blessed are called away to endless rest!

Grace received in worship (the means of grace). 'May that grace, once given, be with us evermore' — perseverance (Phil 1:6). 'Endless rest' (Heb 4:9; Rev 14:13).

Scripture
2 Cor 9:8, Phil 1:6, Heb 4:9, Rev 14:13
Imagery & language
Grace given and kept; rest.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — lasting grace.
Connection to previous
Lasting grace.
perseverance means of grace eternal rest

Themes

Church as living body Christ's foundational role Christian community God's eternal purpose

Look Further