$573,133Average Value$310Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
One of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods
Richmond is a historic city, and Church Hill is one of its most historic neighborhoods. The view from Libby Hill Park gave Virginia’s capital its name, and Patrick Henry’s speech at St. John’s Church inspired the American Revolution. During the Civil War, miles of Richmond burned, but Church Hill remained because of its high elevation. Much of its original housing is still intact. Here on the Hill, residents hear cars rushing on nearby Interstate 95, Richmond’s skyline towers in the distance and brick sidewalks lead to quaint corner restaurants. The Church Hill Association brings neighbors together through annual events, like a pig roast in the park each fall. “I love being surrounded by people and having a sense of community,” says Richmond resident and real estate agent with Hometown Realty, Ernie Chamberlain, whose office is in the neighborhood. “Where I work, someone walks by the window every few minutes like clockwork. It’s a really cool, friendly place with an awesome city vibe.”
Locals enjoy expansive city views from Chimborazo Park.
The famous spire of St John's Church, which was built in 1741.
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“Give me liberty…or give me death!”
Due to its high elevation offering strategic views of the James River, Church Hill is one of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods. These views inspired Richmond’s founder, William Byrd II, to name the city after the similar vistas in his hometown: Richmond Hill, London. Byrd also donated land and timber to build the neighborhood’s St. John’s Church, best known as the site of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death,” revolutionary speech. During the Civil War, many of Church Hill’s homes were used as hospitals for Confederate soldiers. Much of the neighborhood escaped destruction or burning during the Union Army’s capture of Richmond in 1865 because of its location. After the war, industrialization brought factories and warehouses to the area, particularly in the lower sections. Wealthier residents moved to newer suburbs, and the neighborhood became home to working-class families. In the 1950s and '60s, preservationists recognized Church Hill’s historical and architectural value, restoration efforts began, and by the 1970s, the neighborhood was a designated historic district. Over the last few decades, Church Hill has experienced a renaissance, with new businesses, award-winning restaurants and parks like Libby Hill and Chimborazo Park drawing residents and visitors alike.
The historic feel of brick and gas lights along the streets of Church Hill.
Knowledgable Interpreters offer daily tours of historic St. John's Church.
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Church Hill’s parks and historic sites
Church Hill’s Libby Hill Park is valued for more than just its history; today, RVA residents sit on benches beside vintage streetlamps, looking at a scenic view that now features industrial smokestacks, warehouses-turned-apartments and the skyline. Chimborazo Park is just steps away. With panoramic city views, the 30-acre green space sits atop one of Richmond’s seven hills. Paved trails weave along the hillside, the Chimborazo Medical Museum sits within a 20th-century masonry building and cherry blossoms bloom in the spring. The Church Hill Dog Park is on Chimborazo Park’s eastern edge and has areas for large and small breeds. The Chimborazo Playground is a block from the park, next to the Chimborazo Community Garden. Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond’s oldest, is in the neighborhood and still holds service each Sunday. The grounds, which feature a white chapel with a large steeple, headstones and a visitor’s center, hosts tours and reenactments. The adjacent Patrick Henry Park offers a quiet space to sit or enjoy a meal, with a grassy central common and surrounding benches.
Libby Hill Park offers visitors commanding views of Richmond.
Chimborazo Park in Church Hill is family friendly.
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Richmond restaurant round-up
Some of Richmond’s most popular restaurants are in Church Hill. “Almost everyone who owns and operates over there lives in the neighborhood,” Chamberlain says. Tucked on the corner of Broad Street and North 28th Street, The Hill Café is a Richmond institution. The laid-back spot dishes up casual American fare from its exposed brick interior. Alewife offers contemporary twists on seafood classics, while Sub Rosa Bakery mills its own flour and sells handmade croissants, savory pastries and bread. The Roosevelt is popular for weekend date nights, and Proper Pie Co. serves sweet and savory handheld pies from its walk-up window. To eat at home, there’s a Farm Fresh grocery store on East Main Street. Carytown, Richmond’s walkable commercial corridor with more grocery options, local boutiques, thrift stores and diverse dining, is about 5 miles west. For medical services, VCU Medical Center is just outside the neighborhood.
The Hill Café in Church Hill offers great food and a great place to meet.
There is a relaxed atmosphere at the Union Market in Church Hill.
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Owning homes on the hill
Detached single-family homes, townhouses, condos and apartments line Church Hill’s steep roads and brick sidewalks. Almost all of the neighborhood is in a designated historic district, so homeowners are limited in what they can do to the front of their properties. “You have to maintain the historical integrity of the home,” Chamberlain says. Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian homes from the 18th and 19th centuries often feature brick facades, tall windows, ornate woodwork, iron railings and spacious front porches. “There’s something about going into those older homes,” Chamberlain says. “You’ll have original pine floors, original doors, original fireplaces… every home is very different.” Because the neighborhood’s homes have been renovated at various levels, prices vary. “Redevelopment is still going and will be for the foreseeable future,” Chamberlain says. Potential homebuyers can find a property that may need updating for about $385,000 to $600,000, while larger, historic homes with renovated interiors can cost about $700,000 to $1.5 million. Properties closest to Libby Hill Park typically have the highest price tags and often feature river views, terraces and expansive outdoor areas.
Church Hill offers traditional townhomes on quiet neighborhood streets.
Unique architecture is found on nearly every street of Richmond's Church Hill Neighborhood.
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The Church Hill Association hosts community events
The Church Hill Association meets almost every month; residents may join for a small fee. The organization aims to preserve the neighborhood’s history and puts on events throughout the year. Hog on the Hill brings bands, beer and barbecue to Libby Hill Park, as a pig is smoked right there in the park. The Church Hill Irish Festival began in the early 2000s to celebrate those with Irish heritage in the neighborhood. Since then, it’s grown into an event that Richmonders look forward to throughout the year, with live music, dance performances, traditional cuisine and goods for sale.
Getting around Church Hill
Church Hill is a walkable neighborhood with sidewalks and a gridded street pattern. It’s near an entrance to Interstate 95, which leads south, stretching all the way to Florida. To the north, I-95 connects to Interstate 64, leading to Charlottesville. Richmond’s Main Street Station is just outside the neighborhood; some residents can see its clock tower, which has become a city landmark, from their windows. The station offers Amtrak services and many other transportation services, including being a stop on the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s Pulse bus. This free bus rapid transit system runs from Rocketts Landing, a waterfront community, to Willow Lawn, a commercial area in Henrico County. It runs along Broad Street, a major thoroughfare in the city that’s just outside the neighborhood. For domestic or foreign travel, The Richmond International Airport is about 9 miles east of Church Hill.
Students are served by Richmond Public Schools
Students in Church Hill are served by Richmond Public Schools, which earns an overall rating of C-plus from Niche. Chimborazo Elementary School gets a C, and Martin Luther King Jr. Middle and Armstrong High both get C-minus scores. The Future Center at Armstrong High ensures that students graduate with a plan for life after high school, whether that be college or employment. Services provided by the Future Center include SAT/ACT support, help with choosing a future career path, college counseling and more.
Knowledge is power at Church Hill's Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. TP
Schools in session at Chimborazo Elementary School located in the neighborhood of Church Hill.
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On average, homes in Church Hill, Richmond sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Church Hill, Richmond over the last 12 months is $540,000, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Here’s your chance to call one of the most charming and historic buildings in Richmond home: the circa 1809 John Adams Double House. Located directly across the street from the national landmark St. John’s Church, this light-filled structure sits on a corner lot in one of the most desirable sections of Church Hill. All four levels have been carefully updated and restored, with particular
This FABULOUS 2-story ALL BRICK Duplex is a 'must see'. It shows extremely well. Each unit boasts hardwood floors, a separate kitchen, a separate family/living room, a separate bathroom and laundry room. The property is separately metered for both water and electricity. The upstairs unit has its own balcony. The fenced backyard is very spacious for entertaining and relaxation. Whether you are
Renovated, low-maintenance brick quad in Historic Church Hill with a strong rental history! Each unit features 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, eat in kitchen, good sized living room, and an extra room that could be used as office space or small additional bedroom. Prime location within walking distance to Chimborazo and Libby Hill Parks, and just minutes to restaurants, shopping, and cultural
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own The Atkinson House, a true historic all brick gem built in 1856! Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and over 2,000 sq ft of living space with a new standing seam metal roof, this home beautifully blends preserved historical character with modern comfort. Much of the original charm remains—including the extremely rare, original detached kitchen! Inside,
Historic 4 bedroom 2.5 bath two story home in the heart of Church Hill. This home has been recently redone and comes with large entrance hall, very large living room and dining room with pocket doors, a half bath, laundry and sunroom area, large family room and an eat-in kitchen with cherry cabinets, new gas range, refrigerator, dishwasher, micro-wave oven, disposal, washer and dryer. Sliding
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Historic 2 level Carriage House in heart of Church Hill over looking Shockhoe Valley-This 2 Br 1 bath private Carriage house has gated courtyard with sitting area among mature landscaping -The Carriage House has central heat and AC -modern kitchen with bar seating(Fridge,DW,range and microwave) Original brick floors(sealed ) and brick fireplace-The 2nd level has heart pine floors throughout with
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