St. John's United Church-Christ, Richmond

Saint John's United Church of Christ in Richmond holds a significant place in the city's history, particularly in ministering to its German immigrant population. Founded in 1843 as "Saint John's German Lutheran Evangelical Church," it reflects the cultural and religious aspirations of Richmond's early German community, especially in the Carver neighborhood. The church initially gathered in members' homes and was not affiliated with any Lutheran denomination despite its original name. It transitioned through various names, becoming Saint John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church from 1943 to 1962, before adopting its current identity.

The congregation first moved into a dedicated church building on North Fifth Street at Jackson in 1847. This was followed by relocations to increasingly larger buildings in 1881 and finally to its current premises in 1928. A notable feature of the church is the EM Skinner pipe organ, one of only three remaining on the U.S. East Coast, highlighting the church's rich musical heritage.

Saint John's has had several prominent members, including Conrad Frederick Sauer of the CF Sauer factory and Virginia Governor Mills E. Godwin Jr. during his first term. The church was instrumental in forming the Gesangsverein Virginia, a German singing society that remains a vital part of Richmond’s cultural landscape. In 1874, Saint John’s aligned with the German Evangelical Synod of North America, linking it to what would eventually become the United Church of Christ, marking a significant development in its denominational affiliation. This church not only serves as a place of worship but also as a beacon of historical and cultural significance in Richmond.