Our History

The church began in 1834 as a mission to dockworkers in downtown Richmond. In 1835, Third Presbyterian Church of Richmond was founded with a membership of sixteen people. In the years that followed, the church gathered for worship along the wharfs and in a tobacco factory. In 1850, Third began meeting in a plain brick building in the heart of Church Hill, and eventually constructed a new building a block away at 2515 E Broad Street in 1873.

In 1956, the church sold their property in Church Hill and moved to their current property on Forest Avenue. Third built and expanded into its new sanctuary in 1968, and renewed its call to missions as it began to plant and help launch new churches and start innovative, self-sufficient ministries across the city.

In 2013, the church left the PC(USA) and joined the ECO denomination, changing their name from Third Presbyterian Church to Third Church. In 2015, Corey Widmer became Third’s Lead Pastor, and the church merged traditional and contemporary services and began worshiping together in the Sanctuary. In 2018, Third launched their Parish Life initiative, which included starting Parish Groups across the city, and installing Parish Elders in each of the Parish Areas.

Over the past several years, the church has joyfully and generously pledged funding to the Renew Campaign to renovate our nearly 70-year-old building on Forest Avenue. In 2022, Third moved into our temporary space at Regency Mall for the duration of the renovation, which is on track to be completed by the end of 2024. We are eager to see how God continues to use Third Church for his work of renewal at Regency Mall, and wherever else he leads.

Churches Launched and Nurtured by Third

  • Montrose Presbyterian Church: 1910

  • Christ Church: 1980

  • Hope Church

  • Swift Creek Presbyterian

  • Eternity Church: 2003

  • East End Fellowship: 2005

  • Community West Church: 2009

Community Ministries Developed by Third members

  • Strategies to Elevate People (STEP): 1980

  • Needles Eye: 1980

  • Cross Over Health Clinics: 1983

  • Churchill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT): 2001

  • Church Hill Academy: 2008

  • Urban Hope: 2005

  • Blue Sky: 2005

  • Richmond Christian Leadership Institute (RCLI): 2007