Historic Centenary in downtown Richmond and Trinity in the far west end are sister descendants of the mother church that built its first building in Shockoe Bottom in 1799. In 1810 land was purchased for a church on Shockoe Hill. In 1827 a larger church, named Trinity, was built in Shockoe Bottom. Later this congregation moved to East Broad Street.

During the Civil War the first floor of the church (now the Fellowship Hall) was used as an emergency hospital. In 1874 the building was made Gothic Revival in design and the present tower was erected. In 1877 the Ladies' Aid and Circle of Industry purchased the first pipe organ. Instrument and choir were in the balcony at the front of the Nave (over the front door on Grace Street).

In 1882 twelve chime bells were hung in the tower. The largest bell weighs 4,000 pounds. It was pulled up into its position in the tower by members of the congregation. As they pulled the hoisting rope they marched up the street singing "Onward, Christian Soldiers". The bells were chimed for the first time on Easter Sunday, April 23, 1882 and are still played daily.

Pews with handcarved ends were installed in 1882 and in the 1890's the ladies purchased the marble baptismal font from Tiffany and Son in New York City (it was shipped from London). In 1896 a brick addition at the rear of the Nave (behind the pulpit) provided space for organ and choir. The cathedral glass windows were installed in 1906.

The present Parish House (office and education space) was added to the Sanctuary in 1930. The first two Parish Houses were demolished. This was the third Parish House annexed by the congregation. The first was on the site now occupied by the Cokesury Building, and the second - home and office of Dr. George B. Johnson - was on the site of the present Parish House.

The present organ was installed in 1965. This 49 rank pipe organ was constructed in Canada by the Casavant Company.

The name of the devotional periodical of The United Methodist Church, The Upper Room, was inspired by a sermon preached at Centenary Church by Dr. J. W. Smith.

In the 20th century the location of Centenary Church became the heart of downtown Richmond. While all the other Methodist congregations relocated in the suburbs, Centenary chose to remain downtown to be a presence in the center of the capital city. Centenary helped start 5 churches: Clay Street (the old church became A.M.E., Zion, and that congregation built Boulevard); Laurel Street (this church in Oregon Hill burned, and it merged with St. Andrews in the west end); Park Place (this church across from Monroe Park burned, was rebuilt and named Pace Memorial); Highland Springs; and Highland Park. Over the years many conferences have been held at Centenary. The Virginia Annual Conference used to meet frequently at Centenary, and it has also been the site of a meeting of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

As one enters the Nave of Centenary Church today one is aware of the "cloud of witnesses" of faithful Methodists, Christians who were baptized, married, ordained and memorialized within the walls of this beautiful and historic building.