OTTUMWA — The caretakers say Mars Hill Church was rebuilt by the community as a whole.

Two years after an arson fire nearly destroyed the 1856 log structure, board members say it’s ready to open with a dedication service next month thanks to volunteers, donors and businesses that cared more about rebuilding the church than making a profit.

“So many people helped,” said board member Joy Bramschreiber. “We’ve had a lot of donation jars around. People have thrown in pennies and dollars. We’ve had very small to very large donations. And so many businesses have contributed materials or reduced [the] cost; it truly has been a community effort.”

The dedication will be at 1:30 p.m. June 8 at the church located at 100th Avenue (off of Copperhead Road).

“We don’t know whether we’ll have 40 people or 400 people,” said Bramschreiber’s husband and fellow board member, Don. “It’ll probably be weather dependent. But it’s really important people bring their own lawn chairs.”

Visitors who park alongside the road won’t have to trek up the hill. Two school buses will pick up individuals after they park their cars.

“We really want the public to feel welcome,” Joy said.

They said the board has appreciated the media coverage of their efforts.

“The community has been so responsive,” said Don. “We have a lot of people to thank and acknowledge. I think all of us on the board are appreciative of having this historical and spiritual place restored. In some ways, it’s better now than it’s been in many years, and we hope to maintain it in that condition.”

Even one out the five young people charged with setting the fire has put their heart into the project more than required.

“One of the participants has been very responsive in helping,” said Don. “This kid is doing everything [they] can to make this right.”

Though the Bramschreibers felt it was better not to name the young person, they said they could see a change in them — and now consider them a friend.

“It’s not just a physical site, it embraces that whole spiritual as well,” Don said. “It’s really been a labor of love, and that is not a cliché in this case. We have a little chinking left to do, to take care of spaces between logs. ”

There’s still evidence of the fire; some reused 150-year old logs are charred, and the board wanted it that way.

“We’re so near completion, the board is just thrilled we were able to get this done so quickly,” Joy added. “The floor is basically done ... a little landscaping to do, the grading has been done, the fence is in, the sign is finished and just needs to be installed.”