HISTORY of Our Church Building...

In 1872 Oakland Christian Church was organized with the help of Rev. Dr. William Wellons (pictured in the upper left corner of this page) and 30 charter members.  Oakland was received into the Eastern Virginia Conference of Christian Churches in October of that year.  The small building measured 36 x 40 feet. 

After a succession of several pastors, in 1893 Reverend Harrison Butler led the church in the first rebuilding and remodeling program.  As recorded in notes left by Dr. N. G. Newman “a new roof was put on, a vestibule was added to the front of the building and 18 to 20 feet added to the rear.  Stained glass memorial windows were put in, new pews were installed and other improvements made, making it almost a new building.”

By 1925, church membership had grown to the point where our pastor, Rev. Dr. I. W. Johnson led us in a major building program.  In November 1925, we prayerfully and joyfully dedicated this Sanctuary with its lovely stained-glass picture windows, six much-needed Sunday School rooms, electric lights and a hot air heating system.

By 1948, we recognized the need for more space.  Additional classrooms were added in back of the ones that had been built at the rear of the building in 1925.  A kitchen and restrooms were also added.

Five years later in 1953, church school attendance was at its height.  We identified the need for additional space for the children and the Children’s Annex came into being. 

In 1957, we enthusiastically renovated and redecorated our sanctuary.  Our pastor, Rev. Dr. H. S. Hardcastle, whose hobby was woodworking, lovingly designed and executed much of the woodwork that we find in the chancel and pulpit of our church today.  A special gift from a couple of our members placed carpet on the floor.

In 1962 – Rev. Dr. William T. Scott was our minister.  With generous gifts from two church families, we undertook another building program.  This time we added the central entrance – the Narthex, the old balcony was removed and the spire was added.  A new heating plant was installed, the fellowship hall was renovated, and air-conditioning was provided for the sanctuary.  

On November 22, 1987 with Rev. David Wilson as our minister, we dedicated a two-story brick building addition, “The Mills E. Godwin, Jr. Educational Building” in honor of life-long church member and two-term Virginia Governor, Mills E. Godwin, Jr., and his wife, Katherine Godwin, who both made significant contributions to this church over the years.  The addition houses 8 classrooms on the second story, and on the first floor, a multi-purpose room, two restrooms and a janitorial closet - storage space.  Some renovations were made to portions of the old building adjacent to the new addition.  A classroom was converted to a choir room, a second classroom became an office, (later it was divided into a minister’s study and a secretary’s office), a chapel with altar and benches were added, and an office reception area was attractively decorated.

In July 1995, with the Reverend Mark L. Burns as our Minister, the Board of Deacons recommended that a Long Range Planning Committee be appointed to address the future needs of the church.  One of the recommendations was that the church needed to renovate or rebuild the Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Choir, Education and Office space to accommodate the growth of the membership.

In 1997, as an Eagle Scout Project, improvements were made to a hallway on the second floor of the Fellowship Hall.  A new heating and A/C system were installed in the Godwin building.

Land adjoining the church property to the north along Godwin Blvd. was purchased in 1998 and the church contracted an architectural firm for an initial site plan.  The church continues to evaluate further property expansion.

Landscaping around the church has been lovingly maintained by the Building and Grounds Committee with the help of the green thumbs in the church, and at times, through the generosity of a church member who also owns a local garden nursery.  We have 2 memorial trees, the first is a Sugar Maple tree in front of the Godwin Education building dedicated to the memory of Becky Godwin, the daughter of Gov. Mills Godwin and his wife, Katherine Godwin.   The second tree was planted by the Chuckatuck Chain Gang Bicycle Club.  They use the church parking lot daily as a base for their trips, and the tree was planted in memory of a beloved member and judge.  It grows on the south side of the church.  The Eby family planted a memorial garden on the south side of the church in memory of Mona Eby Driver, after her long and courageous fight with breast cancer that ended in 1999.

In 1999, an architectural firm presented initial site plan drawings to the congregation and answered questions. 

A church member proposed the construction of a new playground on the south side of the church for Oakland’s children as his Eagle Scout project.   He raised the money to purchase the equipment and with the help of his family and the church, the new playground became a reality in 2000.  A memorial bench was added by another church family in memory of their son.

Awnings were added over the kitchen door and handicapped entrance to give shelter from rain when entering or exiting the building.  Exterior parking lot and exterior building lighting were improved to give added visibility in the evening to the many groups that use the church. 

To address the demands of a large youth program and 460 members, in 2001, the staff positions of Director of Church Activities and Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries were consolidated with the hiring of Oakland’s first Associate Pastor, Rev. Leanna K. Fuller, in April, 2002.   In July and August of 2002, this lead to renovation of the church offices, library, choir room and office reception area, which were painted, carpeted and remodeled with a new hallway created from the office reception area to the choir room. 

And so we have the church as it is known today!