FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH

Located at College and Broad St. in Richmond, First African Baptist is the oldest African American Church in the United States. The New Church location required a total renovation of the outdated three-story Education Building, as well as a way to connect the Educational building to the existing Sanctuary. The greatest design challenge was connecting the different floor levels while maintaining handicapped access. We successfully met the challenge by designing a three-story glass enclosured connector between the two structures, which also created a new prominent front entry for the Church. The members were now able to enter the Church from the front of the building as was previously done and preferable. A new front plaza was also created, further enhancing the existing Architecture and the overall aesthetic of the Church.