'Greater things will come from this': After fire, restoration of St. Philip's in Hankinson nearly complete

HANKINSON, N.D. — In Hankinson, North Dakota, all eyes are on the restoration project at St. Philip's Catholic Church after fire damaged the sanctuary two years ago. Contractors are still there, preparing to open the church to worshipers two months from now. A church dinner is planned for Sunday, Oct. 25, in the remodeled church basement, a separate project. You wouldn't know it driving or walking by, but two years after a fire and collapsed ceiling destroyed so much of the church's inside: "We are getting close," said Monsignor Brian Donahue of St. Philip's. Donahue walks us through a busy construction zone, inside. The ceiling now has a new color. Crews are painting and doing all the detail work. "It has a real rich color to it," Donahue said of the new colors chosen for the ceiling. "It is exciting. Exciting. The dedication of all the people working here, it is exciting." The inside of St. Philip's Church in Hankinson shows ongoing renovation