RICHMOND — The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy has purchased a building in the historic Richmond area of Shockoe Bottom to be used as its new statewide headquarters.
The 19th century building, on Franklin Street next to the Richmond Farmers' Market near the Capitol, will house the center's programs focusing on policy, research and public education.
The former offices were located at Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond, but limited space for expanding programs forced the move.
“We believe our presence downtown is a statement about our commitment to seeing Richmond thrive,” said executive director C. Douglas Smith. “We chose to move to Shockoe Bottom, an area once known for ties to slave trading, because we wanted to witness as much to reconciling Virginia's past as moving the Virginia Interfaith Center into the future.”