This house was built in 1961 as the parsonage for First Baptist Church and was home to the Rev. L. Francis Griffin and his family. Known to many as "The Fighting Preacher," Griffin was the preeminent civil rights leader in Prince Edward County and a trusted adviser to generations of young people. Griffin's first parsonage was located at the corner of Chambers and Ely Streets (now Griffin Blvd). In 1958, Longwood College purchased the property for the expansion of campus, and the Griffins had to relocate to this home.