Continued from Sixth and Main Streets

While Second Church's building at Sixth and Main was patterned from the design of a Greek temple, the building at Franklin and Adams was based on a second century Roman temple, the Maison Carree, in Nimes France.

The first worship service in the new building was held on Sunday, October 22, 1905, in the basement, since the sanctuary had not been fully completed and equipped, with about 700 people in attendance. A night service the same day drew 500. Dedication services were held in the new sanctuary on Sunday, February 11, 1906.

With this new presence, the congregation was called on for many services to the community and state. New organizations were formed and changes were made to the makeup of committees. The Ideal began in 1909. Significant visitation programs were held.

Sunday school attendance increased greatly and caused space problems, so additional property was purchased adjoining the church on the east. Sunday school excursions to Buckroe Beach were started. Many new groups were formed within the church.

In 1918, women were allowed to attend business meetings of the church. Also, an influenza epidemic caused cancellation of all services for a month.

A large fundraising was conducted among Southern Baptist churches in 1919 and Second raised more than $200,000. This was a very large sum for the time. Second Church celebrated its centennial in 1920.

Dr. Solon B. Cousins, Jr. began his service in September 1921, commencing one of the greatest eras of the church in downtown Richmond. Additional property was purchased and an Educational Building was built with architecture that complimented the sanctuary. The new building was dedicated in September 1927. The following Mother's Day, the Sunday school recorded an attendance of about 1,000.

By 1930, it was clear that the population of the church was aging as the City populace began to move away from the center of town. Fewer children were attending. Also, the Depression created a significant financial impact on the church. Then Dr. Cousins left to take a full time position at the University of Richmond. The church then had its highest membership downtown, but attendance had decreased somewhat.

During World War II, the church had many activities, including the Soldier's Service Center. However, partly due to gasoline rationing, attendance declined further. Visitation drives were reinvigorated. The church still was paying for the Educational Building. An endowment fund was begun in 1951 to provide income for the improvement of the physical properties and support of mission activities .

Second Baptist became a member of the new Richmond Baptist Association after being a member of the Dover Association since its founding. In 1953, the pastor, Dr. Ivey died of a heart attack just before the morning worship service.

Membership began a significant decrease as more and more people moved away from the City. In 1960, the congregation began broadcasting weekly on WRNL radio.

In November 1962, Raymond L. Spence, Jr. began his ministry at Second Baptist at the age of 26. By the end of 1963, the membership was down to 608. Some redecorating of the sanctuary was done in 1963, but declining attendance brought on much discussion about the future of the church at that location. In 1964, the church voted to appoint a committee to study relocating the church to another location in the metropolitan area.

This resulted in the congregation agreeing to purchase 7 acres on the northeast corner of River and Gaskins roads in Henrico County, with an option for another 3 acres. In 1964, a group began meeting at Collegiate School not far away from the church site in order to begin a Sunday school. Ground breaking was held in July, 1966, and in August, 1967, the church held its last service at Franklin and Adams.

The land and buildings were sold to the University of Richmond, raising more than half of the money needed to move and begin new buildings.

The story continues at River and Gaskins roads

(This was taken from the recently published The History of Second Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia, 1820-1995 by John S. Moore. Copies are available through the church office.)