Church Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Richmond Hill

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 3, 2017

1. Richmond Hill Marker

Inscription. Richmond Hill was an early name for Church Hill. Richard Adams, one of the most prominent men in Richmond, built a house on this site by the 1790s, and a second house, still standing, was constructed here about 1810. William Taylor remodeled this residence in the Italianate style in 1859, adding the second story and porches. In 1866, the Order of the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary established a monastery and school here, and they erected a chapel in 1894-95. The monastery, known as Monte Maria, was purchased in 1987 by an ecumenical Christian community, which named the property Richmond Hill and opened it as a retreat center and place of prayer for the city.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-114.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1810.

Location. 37° 31.937′ N, 77° 25.334′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Church Hill. Marker is at the intersection of East Grace Street and North 22nd Street, on the right when traveling east on East Grace Street. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2209 E Grace St, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 2204 E. Grace Street (a few steps from this marker); Childsavers' WRVA Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 2210 E. Grace Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 2214-2220 E. Grace Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Shockoe Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); 260 N. 22nd Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 205 North 23rd Street (about 400 feet away); Hilary Baker House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “After the Civil War ended, Catholic Bishop John McGill requested nuns from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, to pray for the devastated city as well as to educate girls. The first order to respond was the Sisters of the Visitation, whose superior, Mother Mary Baptista, was a native of Norfolk, Virginia and sister of Father Alexander Hitzelberger (who joined the Jesuits after serving in Norfolk and Petersburg). Although the Sisters of the Visitation were generally a contemplative order in Europe, for more than sixty years they ran an elite boarding and day school on this site, which they named Monte Maria.” (Submitted on September 11, 2017.)

Monte Maria Monastery and Richmond Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 3, 2017

2. Monte Maria Monastery and Richmond Hill Marker

Richmond Hill Courtyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 3, 2017

3. Richmond Hill Courtyard

Richmond Hill Courtyard and Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 3, 2017

4. Richmond Hill Courtyard and Mansion

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 398 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 11, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.