KSDK -- One of St. Louis' oldest Catholic churches was repaired just in time for Palm Sunday.
Today was the first Sunday parishioners celebrated mass inside the sanctuary since almost 20 months ago.During the repairs, mass was held in the church gymnasium. In August 2007, lightning struck St. Alphonsus Rock Church on North Grand. The resulting fire damaged the roof and ceiling while the inside of the church suffered major water damage. Fortunately the marble altar and the stained glass windows were not damaged. The fact the repairs finished just days before Palm Sunday was a coincidence. Rev. Matthew Bonk said, "Having it be on Palm Sunday when Jesus enters triumphantly into Jerusalem, that's what we're celebrate. We are triumphantly entering back into our church." The repairs cost $10 million which was covered mostly by insurance. />
