In 1911, the residents of Morningside petitioned the bishop for a new church, and on July 15, 1911, Saint Raphael Parish was formed from parts of three neighboring parishes, Sacred Heart in Shadyside, Saint Lawrence O’Toole in Garfield, and Saint Kieran in Lawrenceville. Fr. John Gallagher was appointed pastor of the new parish.

While searching for a more permanent location, the new parish rented a house at 901 Highview Street. The parish eventually purchased the DuBarry property on Chislett near Hampton, and plans called for a new church, rectory, school and convent. Within months, a temporary church was built. The first Mass was celebrated in the original building on December 24, 1911. That building was to become the parish hall when the new church and school were built.

With the help of a generous bequest from the estate of Mildred Kelly King, plans were made for a new church building, which was dedicated by Bishop Wright on December 20, 1959. The original church building was remodeled into a gymnasium and renamed Gallagher Hall in honor of the parish’s first pastor.