First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, 3005 S. Front St., Whitehall, will soon get a new, updated look. Members of the church are having work done on the church building and grounds.

Head of the property committee and church elder John Faisetty said the work that needs to be done includes cutting down two trees, removing bushes, trimming trees, cleaning and fixing the brickote, painting the exterior, grinding stumps, electrical wiring work and planting new shrubbery.

The tree and bush work was completed Sept. 30, repairs to the brickote were done Nov. 4, and the painting is currently in progress, with 30 percent of it complete. The anticipated completion date is Nov. 18. Lastly, new plantings will be installed in front of the church in the spring.

Faisetty, who has a background in electrical engineering for PPL Electric, became the head of the properties committee about nine years ago.

“As members of the property committee, we more or less look over the church’s physical environment,” Faisetty said. “We had to replace the roof and the heating system and get contractors in, so it’s the odd ball things; plus, every year we have to update or maintain our heating system. We do the various inspections and update the fire extinguishers, smoke alarms - the typical annual maintenance items.”

In short, the property committee makes sure the church looks nice and is safe inside and out.

The brick coating was put on in 1951, and since then, it has been an ongoing issue, Faisetty mentioned.

“We would have occasions when pieces of the brickote would come off,” Faisetty said. “At times it would come off, we’d get the company to come and fix it. Within the last couple years, we’ve noticed that not only have we lost more of the brick coating, but the brick is getting dingy. It’s getting unsightly.”

Since 1988, the church has had it fixed two or three times.

“About 10 or 11 months ago, one section of the northwest corner, a big portion of the brickote came off. At that point, we started talking needing not only to fix that corner and all these little spots that have happened in the past three or four years, but we also have to consider doing something with the church exterior,” Faisetty said.

Members worried power washing might blow off a lot of the brickote. After contacting and speaking with a few contractors, the church decided to go with the company that suggested cleaning and fixing the exterior and painting the church.

The $23,000 estimate is only for the work on the exterior. With the other work involved, the estimate is around $31,000, Faisetty added.

To help with expenses, a GoFundMe has been started. As of press time, the amount raised is $850 out of a $30,000 goal. Visit gofundme.com/f/hokey-presbyterian-exterior-brick-repair to donate.

Those wishing to donate can also drop off a check, with “building project” in the memo line, in the mail slot at the left-hand door in the front of the church any day of the week. The treasurer checks the mail every day.

In the spring, members intend to install foliage in memory of past members, such as the late Dr. John Wheeler. Also, a tree has been picked out for the southeast corner in memory of the late Edward Marth, who died a few years ago. Faisetty added individuals are welcome to donate money to go toward the purchase of a tree, bush or other foliage in memory of a loved one.

“From the pastoral perspective, obviously the church is the people and not the building, but we have seen such growth and vibrancy in the last few years, and we think to spruce up the outside kind of reflects where we are inside,” said the Rev. Christine Kass, pastor of the church. “The church has been there so long. It’s such a part of the landscape. It’s also not fair on the surrounding neighborhood to have it falling apart and looking like no one loves it.”

There is great, long-standing history with the 151-year-old church, and church leadership wants to sustain a church that continues to provide success for many more years to come.

“It’s our responsibility to make it presentable not only for our members, but for the community,” Faisetty said. “What we’re trying to do is keep the church in good repair so that future generations can enjoy the history and fellowship the church brings to the community.”