In addition to on-going maintenance the Property Committee oversees major projects to enhance and sustain the facility and grounds entrusted to the stewardship of Oakton Church of the Brethren. Some of our recent projects are shown below.
2014
A dozen volunteers helped on Work Day, April 26, 2014
A hearty crew worked diligently on our Spring Work Day to help clean up the landscape and support the excellent work of our landscape volunteers, Al Zebrowski and John Shafer, who have transformed the grounds over the past decade.
The work-day group hauled eight loads of brush to the recycle center. The beautiful weather and the wonderful fellowship made for a blessed day.
2013
Sanctuary Painting December 2013
We contracted to have the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and other areas in the meeting house repaired and painted.
Dehumidifiers were installed and the baptismal area was cleaned and painted in preparation for our Easter Baptism service.
2013 was also the year we made arrangements to house the Iglesia Pentecostal Mount Horeb congregation.
Outside, a drain was installed for the parking lot run-off.
2012
Access Path to Civil War Memorial
In cooperation with neighboring Flint Hill Cemetery Association and the Hunter Mill Preservation Society (Civil War) a pathway was designed to allow access through the Oakton Church cemetery to the Civil War memorial plaque located between the two cemeteries.
2011
Deacon Chair Receiving Open Roof Award 2011
Oakton Church of the Brethren received the denomination’s “Open Roof” award in recognition of our work to make our building and our events more accessible to those with disabilities.
The steeple-cross was removed to be used at a later date.
2010-2011
The original, metal steeple was replaced with a new fiberglass model. And the cross atop the steeple was saved for future use in the Oakton Cemetery.
As part of the project a new south patio was installed outside the Children’s Church room.
In addition, our original oil boilers were replaced with a complete heating and cooling solution including more environmentally friendly options. The old oil tanks were removed and we converted to natural gas boilers.
1950s boilers replaced in 2010
Air conditioners throughout the building are high efficiency, zoned units. They also provide heat and thus tremendously reduced our use of the boilers.
Our previously window AC units were donated to another Church of the Brethren in our district.
The new HVAC system has transformed our use of the building allowing for more comfortable mid-summer weddings and changing the summer worship experience.
2008
Thanks to the diligent efforts of Bill Kitt, the Oakton Church Cemetery was completely mapped and cataloged. The information can be found at www.findagrave.com .
2005
Resurfacing the Parking Lot
The church parking lot was resurfaced in 2005. The lot contains 74 spaces. Overflow is accommodated on the grass lot accessed from Courthouse Road east of the paved lot.
2004
The church building roof was replaced in 2004 at the same time the parsonage was spruced up to house our incoming pastoral family.
In the late 1990s a major renovation made our facility handicap accessible. This included major changes including several bathrooms, installation of an elevator, removing several pews from the sanctuary, and improving the flow of entry.