The merger with Second Presbyterian was July 1, 1999. The merger with Earlham Heights Presbyterian Church was effective January 1, 2004,

Earlham Heights has a long and interesting history. In 1906, two men from Second Presbyterian had a garden in the new Earlham Heights addition. It wasn't a good year for gardens, so they had time to become acquainted with the neighborhood children. They started a Sunday School, held in the yards of various homes in the new addition. When the weather got cooler, the men asked permission to use the one-room school in the area. Eventually, some complained that "too much religion" was being taught in the school house.

John Dougan, a member of First Presbyterian Church, donated a lot at the corner of Southwest 17th and Main. Through the Second Presbyterian trustees, a grant of $1,000 was obtained from the Presbytery's Home Missions department, and members dug the basement with hand shovels. In 1909, the church was dedicated.

Following World War II, 600 homes were built in a period of 5 years!. By 1953 it became necessary to hold two worship services to hold all those in attendance. A new educational unit was constructed, and a new sanctuary, fellowship hall, and kitchen were added in 1962.

Full time pastorates at Earlham Heights began in 1946, until about 1990. From 1959 to 1968, the Reverend Franklin Harper (father of current First Presbyterian member Dave) was pastor. Joan Youst, who grew up at Reid Presbyterian, was the first woman to pastor a Presbyterian Church in Richmond, serving in the 1970's. Loran Lewis was the last full time pastor at Earlham Heights, concluding his service with retirement in the late 1980's David Layman moderated Earlham Heights' Session in 1978, and Barbara Kenley has moderated the last couple of years.

John Hollis was called to serve Earlham Heights as stated supply in March of 1995, and has served faithfully since that date....one of the longest pastorates in Earlham Height's history! Earlham Heights Presbyterian Church has had an outreach beyond providing a place for worship and spiritual growth. In the 1970's, Earlham Heights helped found "Jason's House" in the old Mary E. Hill nursing home, providing shelter for run away and troubled youth Earlham Heights members have faithfully supported the Interfaith Mission Center's Community Food Pantry over the years. And when Loran Lewis was pastor, his wife Carolyn founded the "Parenting Guidance Center", offering Christian nurture to parents as they sought to raise their children.

In keeping with this mission minded outreach, the sale of the Earlham Heights building to the Church of the Brethren will further Christian ministry through the Community Food Pantry, Hope House Homeless Shelter and Recovery, and Presbyterian Disaster Relief. Members of Earlham Heights have thus chosen not to "close" the church but to continue its existence in worshipping fellowship with those from whom it sprung, and generously sharing the proceeds from its sale to continue ministry and outreach.

Pastor David Layman