Before the Parish — Context & Prehistory
Western Dominican Province established
The Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Western Dominican Province) is established by Fr. Sadoc Vilarrasa, O.P., and Joseph Alemany, O.P., then Bishop of Monterey.
Archdiocese of San Francisco founded
The Archdiocese of San Francisco is erected by Pope Pius IX from the Diocese of Monterey, with Dominican bishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, O.P., D.D., as its first Archbishop.
Menlo Park named
Menlo Park takes its name from an estate established by two Irish immigrants, Dennis J. Oliver and D.C. McGlynn, who purchased a large tract of land bordering what is now El Camino Real. They named the estate “Menlo Park” after their hometown of Menlough on Lough Corrib, County Galway, whether “Menlo” was an abbreviation, an Americanization, or simply a misspelling is not known. When the railroad arrived in 1863 and needed a name for its station, officials adopted the name from the estate’s gate. The station, now California Historical Landmark No. 955, remains the oldest in the state in continuous operation.
Fairwinds Estate/Arbor House Built
The estate now known as Arbor House is built at 1231 Arbor Road, a 16-room, three-story house on 11 acres, first occupied by the Inman family. In 1923 it is purchased by realtor Mark McCann, who is credited with giving the estate the name “Fairwinds.” In 1930 Felix Signoret McGinnis (1883–1945), a vice-president of the Southern Pacific Railroad, acquires the property and adds a children’s playhouse and a theater to the grounds, both of which remain in use today.
For more information, see “From Fairwinds to Arbor House: The Saga of One of Menlo Park’s Most Historic Homes,” InMenlo.com (June 29, 2011).
Property purchased by Archbishop Mitty
Archbishop John J. Mitty of San Francisco purchases an 11-acre parcel on Arbor Road, between Santa Cruz Avenue and Valparaiso Avenue in Menlo Park, as the site for a new parish. The property, sold by James and Clara McGinnis, centered on a large home called “Fairwinds,” built in 1911. The grounds also included a barn, a small theater, and two bungalows. Mr. McGinnis, an executive with the Southern Pacific Company, had added a San Francisco cable car and a railroad car to the property for entertaining.
1950 — The Parish Begins
Pope Pius XIII elevates Edwin J. Kennedy to Monsignor
St. Raymond Parish established
St. Raymond Parish is officially established, taking its name from St. Raymond of Peñafort, a thirteenth-century Dominican priest and canon lawyer. The founding date itself fell on his feast day (since moved to January 7), and the parish’s first pastor, Monsignor Edwin J. Kennedy, J.C.D. (1908-2002), happened to share his patron’s vocation as a canon lawyer.
Campaign for Church begins
St. Raymond School Opens
St. Raymond School opens with grades one through five, adding one grade each year over the following three years. The school is staffed by the Immaculate Heart Sisters, whose motherhouse was in Los Angeles, with Sr. Gregory IHM serving as its first principal. The former McGinnis home, “Fairwinds,” is converted into a convent for the sisters.
Construction of St. Raymond Church begins
Dedication of St. Raymond Church
Parish Center Opens
A large multipurpose building is constructed to serve the parish for meetings, dinners, performances, and athletics. Originally called the Parish Center, it is renamed the Monsignor Edwin J. Kennedy Center in 1978 upon the retirement of Msgr. Kennedy, who had served as pastor for more than 28 years.
Fr. Ray Zohlen becomes second Pastor of St. Raymond
Fr. Ray Zohlen becomes pastor of St. Raymond Parish, transferring from St. James Church in San Francisco. During his tenure he establishes the first parish council and introduces weekday noon Masses.
Fr. Edward Phelan becomes the third Pastor of St. Raymond
Fr. Edward Phelan (1939–2025) becomes the third pastor of St. Raymond Parish, arriving from St. Brendan Parish in San Francisco. Born in Ireland, he was ordained for the Diocese of Mobile/Birmingham on June 7, 1963, and later incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1981.
During his tenure, the rear of the church is converted into a daily Mass chapel, with the choir room repurposed as a repository for the Blessed Sacrament. The project is supported in part by gifts from the Flocchini and Ferrari families. The vacant lot between the church and Arbor Road is also transformed into the Rose Garden, the original rectory becomes offices and conference rooms, and “Fairwinds” returns to use as the rectory.
Pope John Paul II celebrates Mass at Candlestick Park
St. Raymond parishioners attend.
Homeless Family Fund established
The St. Raymond Homeless Family Fund is established as a parish project, growing out of one RENEW group’s efforts to serve the less fortunate in the community. The Fund assists families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in accumulating enough money for a first and last month’s rent and security deposit.
Fr. Patrick T. Michaels becomes fourth Pastor of St. Raymond
Fr. Patrick Michaels becomes the fourth pastor of St. Raymond Parish. A scripture scholar with interests in music and liturgy, he introduced small group scripture studies and worked with the Parish Council to develop a mission statement for the parish. Professional landscaping of the grounds around “Fairwinds” began during his tenure, creating a setting for outdoor liturgies, classes, and meditation.
Peru mission trip with parishioner Jim Harbaugh
First Annual World Famous Rummage Sale Held
Fr. Christopher Fadok, O.P., becomes fifth Pastor, first Dominican Pastor
Fr. Daniel Syverstad, O.P., becomes sixth Pastor at St. Raymond
First Called & Gifted Workshop held
Presented by Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P., and Scott Moyer
Fr. Christopher Fadok, O.P., named Prior Provincial of the Western Dominican Province
The Dominican Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus joyfully announce the election of Fr. Christopher Paul Fadok, O.P., as Prior Provincial. He has most recently served as Socius and Vicar to the Provincial.
Fr. Christopher was elected by the Chapter capitulars on Thursday, January 10, 2019 and now begins his four-year term. Over the next few weeks, he will work with the capitulars to review province legislation, assignments, and future goals.
Author Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., of Homeboy Industries, speaks at St. Raymond
Fr. Jerome Cudden, O.P., becomes seventh Pastor at St. Raymond
Dominican Master of the Order Fr. Gerard Timoner, O.P., visits St. Raymond
Drive-up Confessions offered during COVID
“Drive-up confessions: T he word of God will be live-streamed until further notice, unless you would
care to offer a confession from the privacy of your car.
“The word of God will be live-streamed until further notice, unless you would care to offer a confession from the privacy of your car.
“Drive-up confessions are being heard at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Menlo Park, according to San Francisco Archdiocese spokesman Mike Brown. The rite is only being offered to worshipers who arrive at the church with no one else in the vehicle.”
March 27, 2020 | San Francisco Chronicle (CA) | Steve Rubenstein
Parish celebrates three parish “Golden Girls” at age 100
Rini Stefani, Mary Ann Robbiano, and Marion Moreno seem to back up research that suggests faith, family, and friendship are keys to longevity. All three longtime St. Raymond parishioners — who happen to be good friends — are 100 years old. Article.
