First United Presbyterian Church

The First United Presbyterian Church, USA, in Richmond, Virginia, began in 1890 as a fourteen-member mission under the direction of the Presbyterian Church, USA’s Board of National Missions. According to United Presbyterian Church records, the congregation ceased to be a mission in 1892 and was incorporated as the First United Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia. A brick and stone structure was built on the corner of Monroe and Catherine Streets in Historic Jackson Ward in 1893. First United Presbyterian Church became an important part of the community by offering religious education and worship.

On September 28, 1974, First United relocated to its current location at 3401 North Avenue. The Capital City Lodge No. 107 laid the cornerstone under the direction of the Most Worshipful Grandmaster, the Honorable Landon White, Elder of First Church. First United was a church in the predominantly Black Southern Presbytery, which ceased to exist in 1987 and was absorbed into the integrated Presbytery of the James.

Reverend Willie Woodson was appointed Pastor in January 1988 after serving as Interim Pastor for three years. The church has grown spiritually under his leadership and tutelage. In 1990, First United celebrated its 100th anniversary with a grand celebration on the Virginia Union University campus. The mortgage note was incinerated.

In the early 1990s, the Church began making plans for a building expansion in order to carry out ministries that will benefit the community, promote church growth, and carry out God’s will. The Church purchased the property directly across the parking lot in the mid-1990s.

In 1997, the Church embarked on a new approach to ministry by taking part in a project titled “Vision for a Vital Church.” This is still the foundation of our mission today.

With the commissioning of campaign committee members in October 2003, First United began its Capital Campaign. As we embarked on this vision in prayer, it was a testament to God’s power and the fact that First United is and has always been blessed with loyal and dutiful men and women who work diligently using their hearts, minds, and souls so that the Church can be all that God called it to be.

We are the Presbyterian Church (United States of America), a covenant people, a servant people, and a mission people. As accountable stewards, we joyfully return to the work of ministry a portion of the many blessings entrusted to us by God. In doing so, we gratefully reflect on our history and look forward to a time when all of God’s people will be one.