After World War II, the area around Crystal experienced rapid, extraordinary growth.
Archbishop Murray appointed Fr. Thomas Fenelon as pastor of the new St. Raphael. The first Mass was
offered July 1, 1951, at Abraham Lincoln School. In August 1952, St. Raphael School opened its doors and
Sunday Mass was offered in the school gym for the next nine years while a church was constructed.
In July 1961, the current church and rectory were completed. Continued growth in the area led to the
construction in 1991 of a large, 30,000 square-foot expansion, creating a gathering space, reception area, and additional office space.