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For more than a century, the towering steeple of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church has stood as one of Langdon's most recognizable landmarks, a visible reminder of the faith, history and generations of families who helped build the community. Now, parish leaders are looking toward the future as St. Alphonsus begins another significant round of improvements, including demolition of the aging rectory and fellowship hall and construction of new facilities designed to serve parishioners for decades to come. Demolition is expected to begin soon. According to the Rev. Kurtis Gunwall, the current project is the latest step in a long-term effort to maintain and modernize parish facilities while preserving the church's mission. The renovations are intended to ensure St. Alphonsus remains a strong gathering place for worship, fellowship and community life for future generations. The parish has completed several major improvements in recent years. Two years ago, work was completed in the church attic and basement, along with repairs to the front steps. Last summer, the church interior underwent a significant refresh that brightened the worship space. This year, attention has shifted to the rectory and fellowship hall, as well as improvements to the school kitchen, where aging sewer pipes and flooring are being replaced. Discussions about replacing the rectory have been ongoing for more than a decade. Evaluations of the building determined that extensive electrical, heating and foundation work would be required, leading parish leaders to conclude that constructing a new building would be more practical than attempting to modernize the existing structure. Plans also call for improved accessibility to better serve parishioners in the years ahead.
