"Yesterday was our first time, my first day here at the office," said Hartwell.

Walking into this new church is like unwrapping a birthday present for Hartwell.

"The first meal will be in here Sunday," he said.

He'll be joined in the auditorium on Sunday by a congregation that's stuck together through a very time. They built this building after fire destroyed the original church. Hartwell says he's feeling "total excitement and total exhaustion."

Only one piece of the old church is left: the steeple. A couple saved it in their backyard during the three year-building process.

Hartwell also visited the old site.

"The nursery was right there and that's where the fire started, and there were several different spots where they poured liquid and started it," he said.

The unknown arsonist stole the old building from the congregation. If the new building is a slice of heaven, the old seems a bit like hell.

"I do wonder why someone would do that to a church. It lets you know what people are thinking," said Hartwell.

"That Bible survived the fire," he said.

The bible is from the 1860s. It survived and so did the congregation's spirit. It's part of the theme of the pastor's sermon on Sunday, just as he did right after the fire.

"He won't give any of his children more than they can bear," said Hartwell.

The congregation isn't done with challenges just yet. It needs to sell the old site to pay off the construction debt and get money to pave the parking lot.

Meantime, if you have information that could help catch the arsonist, call Crime Stoppers of Greater Springfield at (417) 869-TIPS.