Our History

Cornerstone College of Virginia started its history as Fredericksburg Bible Institute. The college was chartered by the Virginia State Corporation Commission on September 2, 1969. Dr. G. Albert Brown, Jr. was the Founder and President of Fredericksburg Bible Institute and Seminary. He was a man of God who had the blessings of the Almighty upon his ministry. Scores of pastors who have received part or all of their Bible college and seminary training were blessed by Dr. Brown. He was a man of prayer. Dr. Brown believed in prayer because the Bible teaches us to pray, and he believed in the Bible. He was a man of vision based on Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” His ministry was successful because people knew that Dr. Brown loved them, and he helped them learn more about God. 

Dr. Brown continued to establish the institute through milestones of achievement. The institute was granted tax exemption by the Federal Government in 1970 and tax deduction of contributions by the Internal Revenue Service. The State Government gave the institute tax exemption on textbook sales in 1975. According to the Code of Virginia, Section 23-266 A-2, this institution was permitted by the Council of Higher Education on February 3, 1982, to confer degrees. The Veterans Administration approved the institute to provide educational benefits beginning August 23, 1983. The International Accreditation Commission accredited the institute on September 15, 1983. 

Dr. Brown went to heaven to be with the Lord on January 31, 2008, and his presidential leadership was passed to Dr. Gary Foss. Dr. Foss served as president from January 2008 until June 2016.  Gary is fondly remembered with his wife Andy as the founder of Fredericksburg Christian School, where he served as their Head of School for more than forty years.

The Fredericksburg Bible Institute and Seminary Board of Directors voted Dr. Richard (Dick) Barnett as president in 2016. Dr. Barnett oversaw the partnership with Lancaster Bible College in 2017 and led the transition from FBIS to CCV in 2018. In 2020 he developed a new scholarship program, the Gary Foss Memorial Scholarship, which affords merit-based full associate’s degree scholarships to students. 

Cornerstone College of Virginia continues its mission to be Christ-centered and career-focused! Our students find their purpose through educational programs that are defined pathways to Bible and professional college degrees. Our students deepen their faith and enhance their career skills by enrolling in an eight-week, flexible, online course at CCV or traditional face-to-face sixteen-week courses on campus. Students find their purpose as they choose from many degree options, such as Biblical Studies and Theology degrees. With our partnership with Lancaster Bible College, students can choose to pursue an accredited degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Criminal Justice, Accounting, Ministry Leadership, or Biblical Studies. 

Cornerstone College of Virginia is where students are a part of a college community to serve and grow in God’s calling.