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Christ Ascension Episcopal Church, Richmond – Exploring Property Options for Mission and Sustainability

Updated: Aug 22


Modern brick building with large glass windows, surrounded by lush green trees and bushes. Overcast sky, wet street in foreground. Christ Ascension Richmond, VA exterior.

Christ Ascension Episcopal Church in Richmond is working with VEREP and Virginia Housing funding to explore the future of its 1.8-acre property.


Through a feasibility study, the congregation is assessing title restrictions, redevelopment potential, and options for affordable housing while remaining committed to worship and mission in the community.



Feasibility Study and Initial Findings


Church leadership has engaged VEREP to assist with discernment for mission, ministry and financial sustainability for its 1.8-acre site, with a special focus on affordable housing. A grant of $32,637 from Virginia Housing has funded a number of activities as part of a feasibility study.


The church has a small congregation in a larger space that has substantial capital needs estimated at $572,000 for year one.


Title Restrictions and Land Challenges


Christ Ascension Richmond, VA exterior. Priest in ornate robe reads from red book at altar with candles. Congregants stand nearby. Flowers and crosses in the background.

In conducting the feasibility study the church learned that one of its land parcels is restricted by a title covenant for beautification and is bisected by an underground storm water easement that likely prohibits any redevelopment of this site.


The main site is subject to restrictive title covenants from the initial land developer, which could limit the property either to church use or six single-family homes.

Property Valuation and Developer Interest


Appraisals on the property range from $541,000 for the land without buildings to $2.4 million. Eight developers have been approached about affordable housing, but most consider the site too small for anything other than townhome development.



A group of people sit around a table with food and drinks in a bright room. A woman in a clerical robe and green stole is talking. Discernment conversations Christ Ascension Richmond, VA.

Discernment and Options Under Consideration


The congregation remains committed to continuing to worship together and continues its discernment, investigating a number of options:


  • Seeking a declaratory judgment in court about the title restrictions (a process that could take 6–18 months and be subject to public comment)

  • Conversion of part of the property to senior affordable housing, maintaining worship space in the current parish hall

  • Selling the property to a church or a school and continuing their worship community elsewhere

  • Renting the property, recognizing the need for capital improvements would impact revenue

  • Discussing possible use of the site by nearby Westminster-Canterbury property



Is your congregation discerning how to navigate property challenges, funding opportunities, or redevelopment options for mission? VEREP can help guide your next steps. Contact VEREP today to begin your discernment journey.

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