Virginia Beach leaders to decide on Nimmo Church historic designation

City Council to vote on removing historic status from 235-year-old church later this month

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated image of a church steeple in a grid pattern, using bright neon hues and heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art interpretation of a historic religious structure.A vibrant pop art interpretation of a historic church steeple, reflecting the ongoing debate over preserving aging religious landmarks while addressing affordability concerns.Virginia Beach Today

The Virginia Beach City Council is expected to decide in late April whether to remove the historic district designation from Nimmo United Methodist Church, a 235-year-old house of worship. Church officials have argued the designation increases the cost of repairs due to requirements to maintain historic materials and standards, though some city leaders have raised concerns about the financial burden on the congregation.

Why it matters

The decision on Nimmo Church's historic status highlights the ongoing tension between preserving historic buildings and ensuring they remain financially viable for the communities that rely on them. As Virginia Beach grapples with this issue, it could set a precedent for how the city handles similar cases involving aging structures and the costs of upkeep.

The details

Nimmo United Methodist Church has requested the city remove its historic district designation, which church officials say increases the cost of repairs due to requirements to maintain historic materials and standards. The Planning Commission previously recommended denying the request, but the final decision now rests with the Virginia Beach City Council, which is scheduled to take up the matter on April 21. Some city leaders, like Councilwoman Barbara Henley, have raised concerns about the financial burden on the church and suggested exploring grant funding or other assistance to help offset the costs of maintaining historic properties.

  • The Virginia Beach City Council is expected to decide on Nimmo Church's historic designation on April 21, 2026.
  • Nimmo United Methodist Church is approaching its 235th anniversary next month.

The players

Nimmo United Methodist Church

A 235-year-old church in Virginia Beach that is seeking to have its historic district designation removed due to the increased costs of maintaining the property.

Barbara Henley

A Virginia Beach City Councilwoman who has raised concerns about the financial burden on the church and suggested exploring grant funding or other assistance to help offset the costs of maintaining historic properties.

Rosemary Wilson

A Virginia Beach City Councilwoman who noted that state lawmakers have requested $500,000 in funding in the proposed state budget to support Nimmo Church.

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What they’re saying

“'I think this whole idea of costs has to be a part of it. I know I have a structure that should be in a historic district — I can't afford it. I can't afford to do the maintenance on it. I think we have to really look at that cost, and if we are going to require it, we've got to have some mechanism for assistance.'”

— Barbara Henley, Virginia Beach City Councilwoman

“'Delegate Askew and Senator Lucas both put in the state budget $500,000 for Nimmo Church. Now we all know that the budget hasn't been passed yet, but we all need to remain hopeful that it stays there.'”

— Rosemary Wilson, Virginia Beach City Councilwoman

What’s next

The Virginia Beach City Council is scheduled to vote on Nimmo United Methodist Church's request to remove its historic district designation on April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

The decision on Nimmo Church's historic status highlights the ongoing challenge cities face in balancing historic preservation with the financial realities of maintaining aging structures. As Virginia Beach considers this case, it will need to weigh the importance of preserving the church's history against the congregation's ability to afford the required upkeep, potentially setting a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.