“Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan cast his first vote right here” a voice whispers in your ear. Saint Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church has a rich history. It served the Irish Catholics of Hell’s Kitchen. The parish was established in 1886.
George H. Streeton designed Saint Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church. The present neo-Gothic church was built in 1902. The impressive facade features stone and two towers. The sides and rear display red brick with stone details.
Saint Raphael’s Church has seen many changes. As the neighborhood declined it became a mission of Holy Innocents Church. In 1974, Saint Raphael’s building began housing SS. Cyril and Methodius Church. This was a Croatian congregation founded in 1913. They were previously located at 552 West 50th Street.
Let’s talk about the organs. Saint Raphael’s Church has had several. In 1932, Geo. Kilgen & Son repaired or replaced an organ. The specifications of this organ are not available yet. An organ by L.C. Harrison was built or rebuilt at Saint Raphael’s Church around 1909. Again the specifications are not available.
J.H. & C.S. Odell & Co. built an organ in 1906. This one had two manuals and eight stops. It was housed in an oak case with decorated display pipes. The organ cost $1,500. $500 was due in cash soon after setup. The remaining $1,000 was for the old organ. Odell planned to set up their Op. 427 by November 20, 1906.
The Great Organ had 61 notes. It included an Open Diapason, Dulciana, and Melodia. A Stopped Diapason Bass and Octave were also part of it. The Swell Organ also had 61 notes. It was enclosed. The Salicional, Stopped Diapason, and Unison Bass played. A Rohr Flöte filled out the sound. The Pedal Organ had 30 notes. It had a Bourdon. Couplers included Swell to Great and Swell to Pedal. Great to Pedal Octaves enhanced play.
The Archdiocese of New York separated territory from St. Michael’s and Holy Cross parishes in 1886. This formed the new parish of Saint Raphael. A building at 509 West 40th Street served as a temporary church. Rev. John A. Gleeson was the first pastor.
An adjacent soda-water factory became a 600-seat chapel. This relieved overcrowding. It also provided a Sunday school for children. In 1890, Rev. Malick A. Cunnion replaced Fr. Gleeson as pastor. Ground was broken for the present Saint Raphael’s edifice in June 1901. Archbishop John Farley laid the cornerstone on October 26, 1902. Thousands watched the ceremony.
George H. Streeton designed Saint Raphael’s Church in the French Gothic style. Its twin-towered front uses Manhattan schist trimmed with limestone. The rest is red brick trimmed with granite. The church is 75 feet wide 140 feet deep and 160 feet high.
In 1907, Archbishop Farley preached at Saint Raphael’s Church during the banking panic. He urged businessmen to reassure the public. Banks were solvent he said.
Father Cunnion’s failing health prevented him from completing the interior. Rev. Michael J. Duffy succeeded him in 1914. In 1935, Saint Raphael’s became a mission of Holy Innocents Church. The Lincoln Tunnel’s construction decimated the neighborhood. The parish merged with the Italian Church of St. Clare. The name Saint Raphael’s was retained.
By 1910, Manhattan Croatians lived around 11th Avenue. They worked at docks rail yards and factories. Few attended Mass due to language barriers. In 1913, they founded a church. Rev. Ambrozije Širca sought support for a Croatian parish. Rev. Irenej Petričak arranged a Croatian Mass at St. Clare’s. It was a success.
The Croatian parish rented a small church at 552 West 50th St. They named it after Cyril and Methodius. The opening ceremonies took place on November 16 1913. In 1971, the archdiocese allowed Sunday Mass in Croatian at Saint Raphael’s. Soon the Croats took over the church.
The last Mass in the old church was November 10 1974. It was sold to the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese. After renovations the church reopened in July 1977. In 1980, 41st Street in front of the church became Cardinal Stepinac Place. During the Bosnian War, the church aided relief efforts.
Today the Church of Sts. Cyril & Methodius and St. Raphael thrives. Friars from the Franciscan Province of Mostar staff it. Masses are in Croatian and English. Saint Raphael’s continues to be a vibrant center of faith and community.