This timeline of the construction of the new First Baptist Church of Lebanon is taken from accounts in the Valley News and recent interviews with church leaders.

Dec. 28, 2016: Church set on fire by Anthony K. Boisvert, 27, of Lebanon.

Jan. 2, 2017: Lebanon Police arrest Boisvert after he stabbed two people at an apartment complex.

Feb. 21, 2017: Remains of the church torn down.

June 2017: Church files plans with city for new church, designed by Pennsylvania architect Jack Althouse, who specializes in church design. If all goes well, Althouse said, construction could be complete by the end of 2018.

April 2018: Upper Valley architect Frank "Jay" Barrett replaces Althouse to help the church meet key deadlines before the end of the year.

July 9, 2018: Boisvert pleads guilty to two counts of arson, two counts of assault and other charges and is sentenced to serve 25-50 years in state prison. He apologizes to the church and its members.

Oct. 14, 2018: Church breaks ground for new building designed by Althouse and reworked by Barrett.

October 2019: With the outer shell of the new building mostly complete, church members turn to fundraising after bids for the construction project came in at $3.9 million, far more than the initial estimate of $2.6 million. Funding for the project came mainly from an insurance payment of nearly $2.4 million.

Early 2020: The church decided to part ways with the Iowa construction firm serving as general contractor for the project and complete the work on its own.

Twice, in 2022 and 2023, church officials say they expect to obtain a certificate of occupancy that would enable them to hold services in the new church. But work isn't far enough along.

March 31, 2025: Church received temporary certificate of occupancy for the first and second floors, with work still continuing on the basement.

April 13, 2025: First Sunday service in new church.