st-alphonsius-brighton.jpgBRIGHTON - St. Alphonsus Parish in Brighton is celebrating its 125th anniversary on Sept. 20 with a Mass with Bishop George J. Lucas presiding. A catered dinner will follow.

According to parish history, St. Alphonsus was named after the priest, bishop, doctor of the church and saint, Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. St. Alphonsus was born near Naples, Italy on Sept. 27, 1696. He died in 1787. He founded the missionary order of priests, brothers and sisters, the Redemptorists.

The first Catholic church in Brighton began with the laying of the cornerstone on June 1, 1881. On Sept. 26, 1883, St. Alphonsus Church was dedicated by Bishop Peter Baltes.

 In February 1923, most of the building was destroyed by fire. In September 1924, work was started in rebuilding the church. On June 14, 1925 the new church was dedicated by Bishop James Griffin.

Again in 1957, the church was damaged by fire, but the small parish banded together to repair and refurbish the church.

In 125 years St. Alphonsus Parish has had 26 pastors. The present pastor, Father Raphael Paul De Moreno, has been at St. Alphonsus for nearly 13 years.

"A lot has transpired down through the years at St. Alphonsus," said Father Paul. "Many people have come through its doors to praise and worship our Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. God-willing, many more will kneel in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament within these hallowed walls."