Richmond Approves Townhomes on Former Church Site

City council signed off on a special use permit for 33 townhomes at the former Seventh Street Christian Church property in the West End.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Christianity

Richmond Approves Townhomes on Former Church Site

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Richmond City Council approved a special use permit on Monday night for a 33-townhome development at the former Seventh Street Christian Church, 4101 Grove Ave. One council member, Reva Trammell, voted against the measure.

Why it matters

The approval allows a nearly 200-year-old congregation's former building to be redeveloped for housing in the West End, reflecting the church's decision that spending on people in need outweighed maintaining the aging structure.

The 2-acre property at Grove and Malvern avenues was assessed at $3.6 million this year, while the 1950 church building required more than $2 million in repairs. Planned townhomes are priced from $1.3 million to $1.5 million, and the source does not address how the price range compares with other West End housing.

The players

Seventh Street Christian Church

A Disciples of Christ congregation dating back nearly 200 years that has relocated its ministry out of its aging Grove Avenue building.

Richmond City Council

The city's legislative body, which approved the special use permit for the redevelopment of the former church property.

The details

The congregation, a member of the Disciples of Christ denomination, moved to the Sparc Youth Performing Arts building on North Hamilton Street last year after maintenance consumed almost 40% of its budget. The developer plans to buy the property and build townhomes with elevators, terraces and garages, with the first homes expected in early 2028.

Before the pandemic: the church community began considering relocating its building.
1950: the church building was constructed.
Last year (2025): the congregation moved out of the old building.
Monday night (November 9, 2026): City Council approved the special use permit.
Early 2028: first townhomes expected to be ready.

Local Context

Church buildings across older Richmond neighborhoods are increasingly being sold for housing as congregations shrink or relocate, and the 72-to-33 unit reduction here shows neighbors' objections shaping how such projects proceed under the city's permit process.

West End residents will see a new 33-townhome development on the Grove Avenue site, with homes priced from $1.3 million to $1.5 million. The project's first units are not expected until early 2028, with the final homes coming online by late 2029 or 2030.

The takeaway

Congregations facing rising maintenance costs may increasingly weigh building upkeep against direct community service, and neighborhood input can meaningfully reshape redevelopment plans like this one.