Historic Chesterfield church is torn down - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

More than 100 years after Union Branch Baptist Church was established, members have outgrown their old digs and say it's time to start anew.  

Union Branch Baptist was established in 1890. Members once worshiped in a one-room white building. Now, 122 years later and with a congregation of more than 400 members, a 12,000 square foot building is their new home.

With a new place to worship, folks say it's time for a new place to park. So, the old church must go with the hope of paving the land in the near future.

"Right now we're overflowing," said long-time church member Vanessa Mason. "Sometimes we have to park on the sides of the road. We're hoping we'll have additional parking."

Parishioners say they're sad to lose a piece of their history but also say, it's a sign of good things to come.

"I'm both happy and sad at the same time," Mason said. "A part of your history is gone but the reason why it's gone is because we've moved on. In order make progress, you have to move on."

Each Union Branch member took home a brick from the original building as a memory. They say, it will take about three days to tear the building down. While plans for a new parking lot aren't finalized, it's what they hope for in the future.

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