The Building Committee has made great progress. Four very dedicated parishioners, Bill Poad, Oscar Wells, Paul Peterson, and Roberta Fede have spent many hours reviewing potential architects for the future building expansion project. John Sykes and Bill Bland assisted as time allowed. The outcome of all this hard work is that an architect has been selected for the Master Plan.

Twelve letters were sent to firms recommended by the Diocese, the Northern Virginia AIA, parishioners, and other churches. The firms were delighted to be considered for a project at George Washington’s historic church. The committee narrowed the field to four firms, knowing that any of the four could do an excellent job.

The four final firms were invited for site visits at the Pohick property, followed by visits to each firm’s offices to see how they “work.” Finally, the Building Committee visited at least one church or educational structure built by each firm, to evaluate how their work on paper translated into a functional and attractive structure.

The committee members evaluated the firms separately, and a unanimous decision was made to select the Kerns Group of Arlington, Virginia. The group has completed many religious renovation and expansion projects such as St. Mary’s, Arlington; St. Paul’s, Alexandria; St. Alban’s School, DC; Holy Trinity Church and School, Georgetown, DC; Immanuel on the Hill, Alexandria; Mount Vernon Presbyterian; McLean Presbyterian; and St. Francis, Great Falls, VA. The Kerns Group was highly recommended by the Diocese, and the two principals live in the local community of Hollin Hills.

The Committee made its recommendation to the Vestry through the Finance Committee. On May 10, the Vestry voted to approve a contract with the Kerns Group to develop a master plan for the Pohick property. This is the first step before embarking on a specific building project to ensure that current plans will not conflict with the future needs of the parish.