click on my icon
click on my icon
Our St Raphael Catholic Parish History
A beginning ... call (865.5736), email, or write us if we got something wrong or you can add details!
Many thanks to Albert and Eleanor Ruocchio, Msgr. Gerald Lewis, Gen Koeppl, Phyllis Zagrobelny, and Angie Wiley for historical information.
You too can be added to this list.
What knowledge do you have about our parish?
1964 Monsignor Michael A. Carey, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, purchases 35 acres on which the future St. Raphael Church will be built. The original plan is for a Saint Joseph Chapel to be built so that Lourdes can send over a priest to say Sunday Mass. But in the spring of 1965 International Business Machines, IBM, builds a development and manufacturing site in the Research Triangle, bringing enough Catholics to require a church instead of a chapel. The Catholic Church Extension Society awards a $20,000 grant to our mission endeavor and asks that the parish be named in honor of St Raphael the Archangel. Our Lady of Lourdes parish pays for the purchase of the property and for renovation of the Beddingfield farmhouse for use as the priest’s home and parish office.
1966 Most Reverend Vincent S. Waters, 3rd bishop of Raleigh, formally dedicates St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church on a two lane road dotted with farms. It will serve the rapidly expanding Catholic population in Wake County. At the start there are 150 families. Years later it will become Raphael Hall used for school and parish community activities. Reverend John L Richardson (1966-1973) becomes the Founding Pastor.
1973 Monsignor Francis J. Murphy JCD (1973-1978) is named 2nd pastor and assisted by Associate Pastors Father Phillip Stark, SJ (-1977) and Father E.S. John (1977-1978). Seton Hall is built as a place for social and educational settings.
1976 Growth continues as 600 families celebrate the 10th Anniversary of St. Raphael Catholic Church. Sister Shirley Simpson, CSC, comes to St. Raphael as the 1st non-ordained member of the ministry team and as the 1st full-time paid Director of Religious Education in the Raleigh Diocese (1976-1987).
1978 Monsignor Gerald L. Lewis (1978-1989) is named the 3rd pastor. With the growth of the parish come many wonderful Associate Pastors, Pastoral Associates, and Deacons:
| Father Girard M Sherba (1979-1981) | Sister Frances Clare Ugast, CSC Dir of Early Childhood Center |
| Rev Joseph Gaul | Sister Jean McMahon CSC |
Rev Terrance Collins (1981 – 1984) | Sister Loretta Soltis, MSBT Dir of Religious Ed |
| Rev Maury Cunningham, S.J. | Sister ____________ CSA Dir High School Religious Ed |
Rev Frank Worner SJ | Sister Patricia Cornell, CSC (1986-) |
| Rev Frank Knott, SJ | |
| Rev Stephen Worsley (1984-1986) | Rev Deacon Thomas Davis (now Father Davis of Jacksonville) |
| Rev Thomas Tully (1986-1990) | Rev Deacon Robert Madey (1994-present!) |
1979 The Parish Community celebrates the groundbreaking for the Parish Center. Sister Frances Clare Ugast, CSC, joins us as the founding Director of the Early Childhood Center. St Raphael gains the 1st full-time paid Director of Music in the Diocese, Eugene Pipas (1979-1992)!
1980 The Early Childhood Center is started. 
1987 Bishop Gossman dedicates the new Sanctuary, which accommodates 1,000 worshippers, and allows for the continued growth of the parish. Click on the booklet to view
1989 Father J. Paul Byron (1989-1996) is named 4th pastor of St. Raphael Catholic church. During his tenure he is joined by Associate Pastor Father John Parish (1989-1996), Pastoral Associate Sister Maria Goretti, RSM, Pastoral Associate Sister Dolores Glick, MSHS (beloved Sister Dolly), Mary Lynn Whittaker, Director of Religious Ed, Agnes Penny, Director of Youth Ministry, Rev Deacon John L Gillespie (1995; now Father John Gillespie), and Rev Deacon Frank Barnes (1996-2002).
1996 The Jesuits accept the pastorship of St. Raphael parish. Father Robert Curry, SJ (1996-2002) becomes the 5th pastor of St. Raphael. His companions of Jesus include:
| Father Bill Kelley, SJ (1996-1998) | Father Robert Hussey, SJ (summer 2000) |
| Father Mike Flynn (1996-1999) | Father Greg Kalscheur, SJ (2001-2002) |
| Father Bill Ryan, SJ (1998-2002) | Father Patrick Rogers, SJ (2002-2004) |
| Father Shay Auerbach, SJ (1999-2005) |
1997 Father Michael Flynn launches the Hispanic Ministry program with parishioner Oliverio Phillips.
1998 In January, the Family Center opens its doors to welcome the kindergarten, first and second grade school children as well as middle and high school faith formation students. St. Raphael also welcomes Spanish speaking Catholics by starting Spanish Masses on Sunday.
1999 The St. Raphael Columbarium is dedicated Columbarium Dedication
2001 The parish initiates our "Spreading Our Wings, Embracing All" campaign to build new facilities for the next generation.
2002 Father Francis Gillespie, SJ (2002-present) is named 6th pastor. The new Mary Chapel, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Catholic School, and other renovations are completed and dedicated. Father Gillespie's companions of Jesus include:
| Father Paul McCarren, SJ (2002-2005) | Father Tom Clifford, SJ (2006) |
| Father Christian Sotomayor, SJ (2005-2006) | Father George Coyne, SJ (2006-2007) |
| Father Jaime Guzman, SJ (2005-2006) | Father Robert Wiesenbaugh, SJ (2006-present) |
| Msgr Gerald L Lewis (adjunct 2005-present) | Father Michael Proterra, SJ (2006-present) |
| Rev Deacon Jorge Rodriguez (2005-present) | Father Salvador Jordan, SJ (2006, 2007-present) |
2008 St. Raphael Activity Center campaign begins.