Church Hill, Richmond, Virginia facts for kids
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St. John's Church Historic District
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded roughly by 22nd, Marshall, 32nd, Main, and Franklin Sts. and Williamsburg Ave., Richmond, Virginia |
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| Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Architect | Byrd, William |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000884 (original) 90002097 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 15, 1970 |
| Boundary increase | January 17, 1991 |
Church Hill is a very old and important neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia. It's also called the St. John's Church Historic District. This area was where the city of Richmond first began!
Church Hill is at the end of Broad Street. This is a big road that goes from east to west in the Richmond area. When people say "Church Hill," they often mean this historic spot. They also mean other nearby neighborhoods like Union Hill and Chimborazo.
Contents
History of Church Hill
Early Times and Big Speeches
Church Hill is famous for Chimborazo Park. During the American Civil War, the largest hospital was located there. It helped many soldiers.
This area is also known for a very important moment in American history. In 1775, Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech here. He spoke inside St. John's Episcopal Church. This speech helped inspire the American Revolution.
The Church Hill Tunnel Collapse
On October 2, 1925, something dramatic happened under Church Hill. A long railroad tunnel, built after the Civil War, collapsed. This Church Hill Tunnel collapse trapped a work train and killed several workers.
The tunnel was closed and filled in after this accident. Today, you can still see the bricked-in entrance of the collapsed tunnel. It's on 18th Street, near Marshall Street.
A Famous Governor from Church Hill
Douglas Wilder was born and grew up in Church Hill. He made history as the first African American person to be elected governor of a U.S. state.
Church Hill Today
In recent years, Church Hill has changed a lot. It has become a safer and more popular place to live. This process is called gentrification, where an older neighborhood gets new life and new businesses.
Church Hill now has many small businesses. You can find restaurants, cafes, hair salons, and unique shops. In 2014, a food guide called Zagat named Church Hill one of the "10 Hot Food Neighborhoods Around the U.S." In 2015, Redfin said it was one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Richmond. This means it's easy to get around on foot!
Saving Church Hill's History
In the 1950s, the Church Hill neighborhood started to look run down. Many buildings were not being taken care of. Because of this, the Historic Richmond Foundation was started in 1956. Their goal was to "save and improve the area around St. John's Church."
In 1957, the city created a special rule to protect historic areas. They officially made the St. John's Church Old and Historic District. Saving Church Hill was a big step. It helped start the movement to protect historic places all over Richmond.
Important Places to See
- St. John's Episcopal Church (Richmond, Virginia)
- Adams Double House
- Chimborazo Park
- Elmira Shelton House
- Jefferson Park
- Libby Hill Park
- Pohlig Brothers Building
- Richmond Hill (also known as the Adams-Taylor House)
- Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument
- St. John's Mews
- Superior Warehouse
- Woodward House
- WRVA Building
Maps
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Shockoe Valley | Union Hill | |
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| Shockoe Bottom |  |
Chimborazo Chimborazo Park |
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 Church Hill  |
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| Tobacco Row | Libby Hill |
