Voting in Richmond: Where history lives on

For those registered to vote at First Baptist Church, you get to vote in a place of history, while making history yourself.

Relics of Richmond’s colonial past appear in the cobblestone streets downtown—and its historic places. During election season, we’re reminded of our country’s past as we attempt to move forward, and for many Richmond residents, their voting precincts are pieces of history themselves. 

However, if you cast a ballot at one particular RVA precinct, you’ve officially gained ties to one of the most historic locations in Richmond. That’s all thanks to a congregation that traces its roots back to before America became a nation.

Richmond’s First Baptist Church, founded in 1780, holds a special place in the city’s history. As the first Baptist church in Richmond—and the first denominational church in Virginia—First Baptist has played an integral role in shaping the city’s religious and cultural landscape.

The original historical building is located on 12th and East Broad Street in Downtown Richmond. This building is almost the size of a city block, and its size and doric columns emphasize the building’s importance and history.

First Baptist Church’s original building was used as an emergency hospital during the Civil War, and was later bought by the Medical College of Virginia in 1938.

Now, First Baptist’s original building is the Hunton Student Center for Virginia Commonwealth University. The Hunton Student Center is the perfect place for students to congregate, much like the building’s original purpose. 

First Baptist Church is still a practicing congregation, despite its location change. The congregation now worships in a structure located down the street on Monument Ave—and the Monument location doubles as precinct 204 for the City of Richmond. 

While the polling place is not located in the original location built in the 18th century, voters still get to cast their ballot in an institution older than the country itself. For those registered to vote at First Baptist Church, you get to vote in a place of history, while making history yourself.