We embrace Biblical and Historic Christianity as expressed in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and as summarized in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creed. Additionally, as a member of the ECO denomination, we affirm the ECO’s Essential Tenets as a brief summary of our doctrinal commitments.

Biblical Faithfulness

We are rooted in Scripture, believing that God speaks through his living and active Word today, just as he has in the past. In a time when many struggle to find meaning and direction, we believe that the Bible tells the true story of the triune God, the world, and ourselves, and we endeavor to live humbly and responsively within that story.

Gospel Community

We are bound together in our differences through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We seek to live as an authentic spiritual family that crosses generational, cultural, and vocational lines. By loving one another, we bear witness to the power of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to reconcile us to God and neighbor.

Intentional Discipleship

We are growing as Christ-followers, equipping one another for deep understanding of the faith and faithful living in every dimension of life.  Training hearts, minds and hands, we aim to cultivate spiritual maturity, encourage one another towards wisdom, and help every person be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Watch a conversation about what this value looks like at Third.

Missional Orientation

We are sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news of Jesus, his grace, and his Kingdom, and to join in God’s work of restoration.  We lovingly engage and sacrificially give ourselves to advance the shalom of metro Richmond and the world. Watch a conversation about what this value means for Third.

Catalytic Culture

We are creating partnerships that invite others into the broader movement of God, focusing on the growth of the Kingdom more than that of Third Church. We foster an entrepreneurial, risk-taking culture to equip and release Spirit-led leaders to seed our region and world with new ministries, communities and institutions for the common good. Watch a conversation about what this value looks like at Third.

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