Richmond’s First Baptist Church has endured continuously since 1780, bearing witness – as an institution – to the most historic, significant, tragic, and uplifting events of this city. In many ways, its own story is that of Richmond itself. In 1927 it relocated from Broad Street (being landlocked by the Medical College of VA) to an entire city block at Monument Avenue and the Boulevard (now Arthur Ashe Boulevard). In July 2019, we began working on a concept master-plan for the Church which would bring forth the most significant physical changes the Church has undertaken in decades. The Church’s vision for this project is to promote Gathering and Fellowship for the congregation outside of weekly services and to visually elevate the life and energy of First Baptist Church to the City of Richmond.

Our initial scheme focuses on the 1948 east-end and 1927 west-end of the church, and the connecting central axis through the building. This conceptual plan diagram envisions significant changes to the interior floor plan at these two ends of the building in order to create open spaces suitable for informal and impromptu gathering and welcoming of smaller and medium sized groups. The scale of these spaces serves a functional need that will complement the larger spaces already existing: Fellowship Hall, Chapel, and the Sanctuary.

In addition to important scale and spatial changes, these renovations will provide significant aesthetic and functional improvements to the public areas of the church through updated finishes, lighting, furnishings, sight lines, and improved circulation. Further, the design establishes a stronger visual connection with the public along the east parking lot , and sets up a direct link to the narthex of the existing Chapel in anticipation its renovation.

Being a mission-driven and highly visible urban church at the intersection of the two most significant streets in this city, such a project is in itself an act of profound optimism and a statement of faith that this congregation will long endure as it has continuously since 1780.

Design 2019-2020 | Unbuilt