<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001434890-12-000023.txt : 20120705
<SEC-HEADER>0001434890-12-000023.hdr.sgml : 20120704
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120705091853
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001434890-12-000023
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120625
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120705
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120705

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Coxwell John H Sr
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001553541

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30497
		FILM NUMBER:		12947099

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6401 LEE HIGHWAY SUITE 119
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37421

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001038773
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				621175427
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4154 RINGGOLD RD
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37412-416
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4236982454

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4154 RINGGOLD RD
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37412-0416

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EAST RIDGE BANCSHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970507
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-06-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001038773</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSBQ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001553541</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Coxwell John H Sr</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6401 LEE HIGHWAY SUITE 119</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHATTANOOGA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37421</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nathaniel F. Hughes, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-07-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
