First Baptist Church, Richmond

First Baptist Church holds a distinguished place in Richmond's religious and cultural history. Established in 1780, it is renowned for being a series of firsts in the local and wider Baptist community. This historic church initially set up downtown, now graces the corner of Monument Avenue and The Boulevard in Richmond.

Worship at First Baptist Church follows a conventional Baptist structure with two traditional Sunday services. The later service at 11:00 am gains a broader audience as it is broadcast live on a local ABC television station. Regular activities include Sunday school sessions before the main worship and evening bible studies during the week. The church’s musical offerings during services typically include hymns, an offertory song, and a choral anthem, occasionally enhanced by performances from children or youth choirs, English handbells, and various solo instrumentalists.

A significant part of the church's community life happens on Wednesdays when meals and activities are available for all ages. The church's Youth Group occupies the entire third floor, catering to 8th to 12th graders, with attendance usually exceeding fifty each Sunday.

First Baptist Church is not just a place of worship but also a pioneer in the Baptist community and beyond. It was the first church of any denomination in Richmond, the first Baptist church in a Virginia city, and the first church in Virginia to organize a missionary society for women. It also led the way in establishing a Sunday school for children, sending its members as foreign missionaries to Africa, and creating a church library under the Southern Baptist Convention. These milestones highlight its long-standing commitment to outreach and education, both locally and internationally.