Right here, at Saint Raphael Church, a story of faith, fire, and rebirth unfolds. Saint Raphael Church has stood as a beacon of hope and community for over a century. January 1905 marked the beginning of Saint Raphael Parish. It was created to serve West Medford’s growing Catholic population. Father Nathaniel Merritt, the founding pastor, was eager to begin. He organized a bazaar to raise funds for a rectory. The bazaar also aimed to purchase land for a church.
The first Saint Raphael Church was dedicated on October 29, 1905. It was a Spanish-mission style structure. Years passed. Father John J. Powers enlarged the church between 1931 and 1937. Wings were added onto the original structure. Later, Father Dennis A. O’Brien erected the parish hall between 1938 and 1949.
The 1950s brought a boom in Medford’s school-age population. Msgr. Joseph W. Murphy, the pastor, recognized the need for a school. The cornerstone was laid in 1960. The convent followed in 1964.
However, tragedy struck late in the evening of December 7, 1990. A fire of suspicious origin destroyed Saint Raphael Church. The school chapel became the temporary place for weekend Masses.
Father Dennis T. Nason took on the task of rebuilding Saint Raphael Church. He organized the parish. The new Saint Raphael Church stands on the site of the old one. It is a replica of the sixth-century Church of St. Euphemia in Grado, Italy. The church is built of rugged, multi-hued fieldstone. Artifacts from the old building were incorporated into the new church. These included stained glass windows and the tabernacle.
Parishioners showed immense love and devotion to Saint Raphael Parish. They generously supported the new church’s construction. The parish did not incur any debt. Cardinal Law dedicated the new Saint Raphael Church on December 19, 1993.
Saint Raphael Parish continued to evolve. A new parish center was built fifteen years after the church was rebuilt. DeIulis Brothers constructed the new stone-faced church. They were also involved in the construction of the parish center. George “Butch” Razoyk, the architect for the new parish center, aimed to create a unified appearance. The new building closely resembled the church. It included a matching entry and tower. The interior spaces were designed for multiple uses. These uses included conference rooms, a senior center, and a large reception hall.
Saint Raphael Church stands as a testament to resilience and faith. The church also reflects the strong community spirit of West Medford.