Richmond was the third military settlement of British soldiers which had seen service in the war of 1812-1814 with the United States.
At the end of the war the soldiers were offered to return to England or receive a parcel of land to settle in Richmond along with a pension. Those who accepted became the first Settlers of Richmond.
The Parish of Richmond came into being with construction of the first St. John's Church. In 1823, the cornerstone was laid by the local lodge of the "Free Masons" on St. John the Baptist Day, June 24.
The first church was replaced in 1860 by the present church. It is not known when the first church was torn down, but in 1862-64 it was used as a drill hall. The cornerstone of the first church, bearing the date A.D. 1823, together with the Masonic Emblems, can be seen in the wall near the door at the main entrance of the present church.
The spire of the present church had its origin in one of the early settlers. Mrs. Taylor, wife of Sergeant Taylor, owner of the Masonic Arms, and later in life the wife of Sergeant Hill, left, upon her death, the money from which the spire was built.
In June 1961 an historic plaque, erected on the site of the original frame and stone church, by the Provincial Dept. of Travel & Publicity was unveiled by Hon. Alvin Hamilton. This memorial plaque commemorates the establishment of St. John's as the first parish and the first church built in Carleton County.
In 1960 Bishop Ernest Reed turned the sod for a new parish hall, which, however, was not started until 1962 and was opened in December 1963. The new hall, a concrete structure, has adjoining kitchen, choir room and other facilities.