faithlutherannewdrawingValley City (CSi) Plans to break ground for the new Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City is planned this fall.  The  800-member congregation has decided that the church will be rebuilt across the street to the east from the downtown lot.

An arson fire on in October of 2013 destroyed the former church building, and  caused an estimated $2.5 million in damage.

The church is working with Moorhead, based architects YHR Partners on the new church’s design.

Since last year’s fire, services have been held at the church’s temporary home, office space in southwest Valley City, a building that houses the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, the local Canadian Pacific Railway office and the Nielson Insurance Agency.

Arson suspect  25 year old Andrew Michael Miklas, of Valley City, is set to stand trial on August 19.

Prosecutors plan to try him under the state’s Habitual Offender Statute, allowing for extended sentencing, but a change of plea will be entered on August 25.

Miklas faces a Class B felony charge of arson, two Class C felonies for burglary, a Class C felony charge for endangering by fire or explosion and a Class B misdemeanor theft of property charge.

Alleged co-conspirator 19 year old Nicole Ellen Lindermann, of Kathryn, is scheduled for a change of plea on August 25, facing a Class B felony charge of criminal conspiracy, a Class C felony of conspiracy to commit burglary and a Class B misdemeanor charge of theft.

A Class B felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, a Class C misdemeanor is punishable by five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and a Class B misdemeanor is punishable by 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Lindermann and Miklas allegedly committed a burglary at the church during the evening of Oct. 20 or early morning of October 21, 2013 and returned later to set fire to the building to destroy evidence.