Thomas and Stacy Carpenter and their three children were prepared to move into their new Habitat for Humanity home on Chester Street just days before last Christmas.
The move was not to be, however, as a fire ripped through the structure, gutting the inside of the building and destroying its roof.
On Friday, after six months of renovations and restoration work, the family finally moved into the home, the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity's 47th.
During a ceremony dedicating the home, Larry Keisner, chapter construction manager, presented keys to the home to the Carpenters and their children Alyia, 8, Thomas, 6, and Marlin, 4.
"This is a real joyous occasion, especially if you saw this home back in December and (knew) the sadness that went along with it," said Earl Kinter, chapter board president.
The house previously had been occupied by a Habitat family. When that family outgrew the four-bedroom home, it was sold back to the chapter. The chapter had it for only two weeks and was getting ready to hand the keys to it over to the Carpenters just before Christmas when the fire occurred.
Thomas Carpenter said he was picking up a co-worker who lived in the neighborhood the following morning when he saw the burned-out structure.
Carpenter said he could not believe his eyes when he saw the building.
"I said, 'Did I just see what I thought I saw?' Then I said, 'That does not look good,'" Carpenter said. "We were going to move in two weeks."
Instead, they remained at Journey House, a facility designed to allow homeless families to transition into independent living. Journey House was launched about four years ago as an initiative of New Covenant United Church of Christ.
Church pastor the Rev. Clara Benson said when Journey House was launched her "hope and dream was having a family move into a Habitat home."
"The Carpenters were model participants of Journey House," Benson said. "They have worked hard to provide a safe, long-term home for their children."
Fred Shankweiler, company property loss specialist, said the only things that could be saved from the previous building was its foundation and frame. Everything else had to be replaced, he said.
"It was pretty much gutted," he said.
Much of the restoration work for the project was performed by Mellon Certified Restoration of Harrisburg. Representatives of the company were on hand for the dedication.
Fred Shankweiler, property loss specialist, said the only things that could be saved from the previous building was its foundation and frame. Everything else had to be replaced, he said.
"It was pretty much gutted," he said.
Skip Konashefski was the company's lead carpenter for the project. Some of the work was performed by Habitat volunteers. Adult members of families moving into Habitat homes also are required to log in hours of "sweat equity" before they can move into the home. Time can be spent working on their own home or assisting with work at other Habitat homes.
The ceremony included a devotional reading and remarks by chapter Executive Director Robert Hickox.
Hickox said Jesus taught that Christians should serve their neighbors. Habitat for Humanity has embraced Christ's teachings through its mission to provide people with safe, affordable housing, he said.
Following Hickox remarks, a Bible was presented to the family by Kristine Combs, chapter program services coordinator.
Keisner then presented keys to the house to the Carpenters.
"They went through a lot of trials and tribulations," Keisner said of the family.
