By Brandy Centolanza
Church Hill is Richmond’s oldest neighborhood. This area, also known at St. John’s Church Historic District, is steeped in history, having been the site where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give Me Liberty” speech in 1775. Today, the neighborhood of Church Hill boasts quaint restaurants, shops, and homes.
Church Hill overlooks the city in the East End. The area’s name is derived from St. Episcopal Church, which was built in 1742 by William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond. Church Hill is often used to describe the area of St. John’s historic district as well as surrounding neighborhoods including Chimborazo, Fairmount, Peter Paul, Union Hill, and Woodville.
Most homes in Church Hill predate the Civil War and include architectural styles such as Greek Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne. Church Hill’s streets are lined with row housing, townhomes, and other ornate houses. The area has seen its ups and downs through the years with the latest revitalization in the early 2000s when a slew of new homes and businesses moved into the area.
Nature lovers will appreciate Church Hill as it is close to four parks, Patrick Henry, Libby Hill, Jefferson, and Chimborazo, and provides spectacular views of the James River. Chimborazo Park & Playground features the National Battlefield Park headquarters as well as a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty. The park also has two dog parks, ideal for homeowners with pets.
Meanwhile, Libby Hill Park is one of the three original parks in Richmond’s park system and has great views of the city and river. Another famous landmark is the Church Hill Tunnel. The tunnel, first built in the 1870s as a Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Tunnel, is located 4,000 feet beneath the historic Church Hill area.
In October 1925, the tunnel collapsed on a train passing through, killing four men. Efforts to recover the
train failed and the tunnel, which some believe to be haunted, was eventually sealed up for safety reasons.
Traditionally, the Church Hill Irish Festival is held annually at Patrick Henry Park each St. Patrick’s Day to honor Irish heritage with a parade and Irish food staples such as fish and chips and Irish crafts, music, and other entertainment.
In the Church Hill area, you will also find numerous vintage stores and boutiques, home décor shops, corner markets, coffee shops, and restaurants, including many farm-to-table options. Among the more popular eateries are The Hill Café, Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille, Alamo BBQ, and The Roosevelt. In
2015, Zagat named Church Hill as one of the top 10 Hot Food Neighborhoods Around the U.S.