West End Baptist Church had its origin in the 1870's as a vision of First Baptist Church of Petersburg.  First Baptist saw the need for a church in the rapidly growing western part of the city and established a Sunday afternoon school and Friday evening prayer meeting.  in 1878, First Baptist purchased a chapel building from the Presbyterians and named it West Washington Street Baptist Chapel.  In late 1879, the Virginia Baptist State Missions Board sent Rev. J. A. Speight to guide this work.  Two years later, Rev. C. H. Nash became the missionary pastor and on March 31, 1882, forty-two members were transferred from First Baptist and the new church was formally constituted.  The name was officially changed to West End Baptist church a short time later.

Beginning in 1900, the church was housed in a marvelous facility at 1017 West Washington Street.  The membership continued to expand and reach out to the growing population of the area.  Mission projects, including several new church plants; ministries, such as extensive Sunday School bus routes; programs, including multiple choirs; and sponsorship and participation in evangelistic crusades helped grow West End's positive Christian witness throughout the area.