First Baptist Church
Also known as: Student Center
Why it's listed
Built between 1839 and 1841 at the corner of 12th and East Broad Streets in Richmond, this church follows the form of a Greek Doric temple. Its stuccoed walls carry two fluted Doric columns set in antis, Doric pilasters along the sides, and an entablature with triglyphs and metopes. Steps give the impression of a stylobate, though the building sits on a high basement. Later wings were added, and the original cupola over the portico was removed. Inside, a large plaster ceiling medallion with Grecian motifs survives. The architect was Thomas U. Walter of Philadelphia, later known for the wings and dome of the U.S. Capitol. The congregation was the oldest Baptist group in Richmond and was formed by the white members of the earlier church at Broad and College Streets. During the Civil War the building served as an emergency hospital for Confederate soldiers. The Medical College of Virginia bought it in 1938 and used it as a student center. It was listed as a prominent Broad Street landmark and an outstanding Greek Revival work.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a major Richmond landmark and an able piece of architecture, ranking first in quality among Greek Revival buildings. It was designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas U. Walter, and it housed Richmond's oldest Baptist congregation. It also served as an emergency hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 69000349, listed April 16, 1969. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW corner of 12th and E. Broad Sts., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | April 16, 1969 |
| Reference number | 69000349 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1839-41 |
| Architect / builder | Thomas U. Walter |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (Greek Doric temple form) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by Virginia Commonwealth University (Medical College of Virginia) and used as a student center; condition marked deteriorated and altered at the time of nomination. Later letters in the file refer to a plan to demolish it. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.53967, -77.43121 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 69000349.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452429
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.