First Baptist Church (Lynchburg, Virginia) Explained

First Baptist Church
Nrhp Type:cp
Nocat:yes
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:April 21, 1981[1]
Designated Other1 Number:118-0025
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:1100 Court St., Lynchburg, Virginia
Coordinates:37.4119°N -79.1425°W
Architect:John R. Thomas
Architecture:Gothic
Added:September 9, 1982
Refnum:82004570

First Baptist Church is a historic Baptist church located at 1100 Court Street, Lynchburg, Virginia. It is built of hard-pressed red brick on a rough granite foundation. The main facade of the church, facing Eleventh Street, and the two sides are centered with large rose windows framed within Gothic arches covered with hood moldings. Construction began in 1884 and the church was dedicated in 1886. In the 1920s, Lynchburg architect Stanhope S. Johnson designed the complementary Sunday School annex. In 1941, the interior of the sanctuary was modified by Stanhope S. Johnson, with the creation of a divided chancel. It is home to the oldest Baptist congregation of Lynchburg, established in July 1815. Current as of 2020, First Baptist Church is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF).[2]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is located in the Court House Hill-Downtown Historic District.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 19 March 2013.
  2. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: First Baptist Church . S. Allen Chambers . April 1981. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo