By the mid 1980’s it had become clear that the Ashburn area was targeted for major development. The congregation at that time undertook major maintenance and renovations with the painting and repair of the interior and exterior of the church buildings including the roof, the addition of the new carpet and pew cushions. In 1985 the session presented a proposal to National Capital Presbytery for redevelopment of the congregation and in 1986 with Presbytery support Dr. Pickell was called to be the full time pastor of the church. It had been sixteen years since there had been a full time pastor here.

With the occupancy of the first new homes in Ashburn Farms and Ashburn Village in 1988, the church began to experience an influx of new people. Membership reached 100 communicants in 1989. The session appointed a Facilities Planning Committee to study future needs and to develop a major plan for the expansion of the church’s facilities. The plan was completed in 1989 and the session authorized the necessary engineering, architectural drawings and went to contract for the construction of the first phase of the plan-the fellowship hall multi-purpose building. The building was dedicated in May 1992. It was named Pickell Hall in 1993 in honor of Dr. Charles Pickell who retired on December 31, 1993.

It was during Dr. Pickell's ministry that the church began having retreats for combined ages. The first several years it was held at the Presbytery’s Camp Glenkirk in Gainesville and later at Massanetta Springs in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He also made it possible for members of the session to attend the General Assembly, first in Philadelphia and another year in Baltimore. It was during Charles’ tenure that Ruth Reinhold was ordained and installed as youth minister in February 1989. She did a wonderful job, but resigned after several months to accept a full time call to another church. Charles was instrumental in extending the church’s paid staff adding the salaried positions for the organist, custodial staff and secretarial position.

Charles was also the editor of the church’s newsletter, “Embers”, which had grown from a single sheet of paper into a twenty-page booklet before his retirement. After his retirement this job was held by various members and currently is overseen by the Personnel/Administration Ministry. It is published monthly except during the summer months.

In June 1986 former supply Chaplain Goetz, Ruth Boone Judd and Teresa Robey journeyed to Italy on a mission trip. They stayed at an orphanage in Naples helping paint furniture and walls and mending clothing for the children in Casa Materna, where Mr. Goetz served as vice president of the board. The afternoons were spent sightseeing. As Ruth said, “It was a wonderful experience to represent our church on such a mission project.”

In 1988 the church had the privilege of preparing and serving food at a potluck dinner at Georgetown Visitation School for Soviets and Americans participating in a month long International Peace Walk.

On November 20-22, 1990 a group of eleven Russian teachers were guests of our congregation. They spent two nights with various members. A real American Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey and pumpkin pie was served. At the end of the evening they were presented with Bibles printed in Russian.