By Jim Barnes
Meadowkirk, a 358-acre conference and retreat center near Middleburg, has been sold, according to officials of the National Capital Presbytery, the property’s previous owner. Loudoun County land records confirm that the property was sold July 15 to Delta Farm LLC for about $11.6 million.
The National Capital Presbytery, a regional council of 109 Presbyterian churches, bought Meadowkirk in 2004 for $6.9 million and developed it as a youth camp and center for retreats and conferences. But the economic downturn led to a decline in the corporate conference and retreat business. The property value also declined, and church officials said the presbytery could no longer afford to keep the property.
Wilson Gunn, a National Capital Presbytery spokesman, said the property will continue to be used as a youth camp and center for retreats and conferences. He said that the new owners, who wish to remain anonymous, will continue to operate Meadowkirk as a nonprofit organization and have kept some of the same members of the board of directors to ensure continuity.