Our History

Although St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish was created only a few years ago – on July 1, 2005 – its two predecessor parishes began a century ago. The community that later became Holy Angels Parish began in 1912 as the Broad Street Park Catholic Mission, serving Catholics in Hamilton and Trenton. The church later became a mission of St. Francis of Assisium Church, in 1915, and then of Sacred Heart Church, in 1918. The community that later became St. Raphael Parish began in 1917 as mission of St. Francis Assisium Church and served Catholics in the White Horse section of Hamilton. By 1920, St. Raphael Church, too, had become a mission of Sacred Heart Church. In 1921, Holy Angels was erected as the successor of the Broad Street Park Catholic Mission, and the status of St. Raphael Church was changed from a mission of Sacred Heart Church to a mission of the newly erected Holy Angels Parish. For twenty-two years, from 1921 until 1943 when St. Raphael was canonically established, the people of Holy Angels and St. Raphael shared a common life together through the same pastor, Father John Walsh, while celebrating Mass in two worship spaces.

Today, our parish is a vibrant, loving, and faith-filled community of Catholic Christians. St. Raphael-Holy Angels offers a variety of ministries focused on service, outreach, and evangelization. Our numerous ministries carry on the tradition of our faith. For example, our food pantry feeds hundreds of families throughout Hamilton Township and Mercer County every year. The St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Social Concerns Committee also minister to the poor. Our school and religious-education program together educate over 700 young boys and girls to live faith-filled lives in the image of Jesus Christ. The CYO and the LifeTeen Ministry also serve our youth. Moreover, social life at the parish is very active, including the Elderberry Club (55+), Rosary Altar Society, and prayer groups. All of these components provide a healthy home for all parishioners to participate in their Catholic Christian faith.

St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish is blessed to have dedicated, loving, and generous parishioners. Hundreds of parishioners volunteer their diverse talents, including cathechetical, musical, and counselling skills. Without such participation, we would not be the spiritual family we all love.