By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Repairs at St. Alphonsus 'Rock' Church should begin in earnest soon once scaffolding is completely installed.
That will let crews better survey damage done to the building's roof and ceiling two months ago when lightning caused a fire there.
The church's interior also had major water damage so a complete restoration will be needed.
Father Matthew Bonk says the repairs also offer a chance to bring the building up to code.
"While the interior will basically look the same, it will give us an opportunity to address some of the smaller issues that we may have known already existed in the church," Bonk said.
Bonk says he hopes the church can reopen in time for Thanksgiving 2008.