Fairbanks - Saint Raphael Catholic Church
Faith was the inspiration for the Saint Raphael parish; over 20 years, a combination of factors contributed to the building of a Catholic community north of town. Five principal agents combined to transform the community into a church: Fr. William Dibb, S.J., the Voice in the Wilderness Prayer Group, the leadership of Betty Johnson and her volunteers, and a generous donation.
While Fr. Dibb, S.J., was Pastor at Sacred Heart Cathedral (1974-1979), the Prayer group, who regularly assembled there, approached him about attending their meetings as de facto chaplain. During his tenure at Sacred Heart, Fr. Dibb accepted the position and celebrated home Masses and Penance liturgies for them.
In the spring of 1979, Fr. Dibb asked Bishop Robert Whelan, S.J., for permission to transfer out of the Cathedral Parish and to serve the outlying areas to the north, northwest and northeast of Fairbanks. The area had never been explored for possibilities to build a church. Fr. Dibb was granted permission and he began the work by celebrating the first Mass with a small group of Catholics northeast of Fairbanks at Two Rivers School on Chena Hot Springs Road. He later approached individuals at the F.N.S.B. School District to arrange for permission to use the gym of Fox School, northwest of town along Goldstream Road, for Sunday liturgies. Permission was granted and the first Mass of the Fox Community of Faith was celebrated on November 6, 1979. Some members of the Prayer Group were in attendance. Among these were Frank and Betty Johnson and Dennis and Marvel Cary. Other area residents also attended such as Vickie Whitsitt and Jeanne and John Nagy. Thus evolved the nucleus of Fr. Dibb's parish. Eventually, the Catholic group meeting at the Fox School unofficially became known as the "Catholic Church North." As the charismatic Fox Catholic community began attracting members of a growing population from nearby and outlying areas, the need for a permanent place of worship became urgent.
Earlier, during the fall of 1977, Mr. Tom Maher, a Cathedral parishioner at the time, and also a member of the Prayer group, had approached Fr. Dibb about a piece of land he owned at Mile 6 on the Old Steese Highway and said: "I would like to see a church here some day." The desire became a reality after the transfer of the property deed to the Diocese of Fairbanks in June of 1981. Mr. Maher's generous donation made it possible to locate a parish church northwest of Fairbanks. According to Mr. Maher's wishes, the church was placed under the patronage of Saint Raphael the Archangel.
Changes were inevitable as time elapsed and the community expanded. Fr. Dibb was transferred to Juneau, and a new community site for liturgies was moved to Weller School on Chena Hot Springs Road. Fr. Timothy Sander, O.S.B., was appointed as "temporary" Sacramental Minister for Sunday liturgies. Mr. Mike Thibodeau became Acting Parish Administrator. For one year Thibodeau served in that capacity with the help of the parish council. After Mr. Thibodeau's resignation and, up until 1985, the parish council held things together with Betty Johnson and Marilyn West, who acted as bookkeeper and secretary. The latter two ladies were key volunteers who served the infant parish. As the Saint Raphael Catholic community increased, so did fund-raising activities for the purpose of building a permanent church-home. The Christmas toy store and Saint Raphael's Christmas Ball were some early,creative fund-raising examples. The Christmas Ball continues today as an annual event. Formal leadership for Saint Raphael parish was established in 1985 when Betty Johnson became Pastoral Administrator appointed by Bishop Michael Kaneicki, S.J., Mrs. Johnson served in that capacity until 1999, during which time she saw to the successful completion of the new church which was built by volunteers. Saint Raphael was solemnly dedicated May 12, 1991 by Bishop Kaniecki. Fr. Timothy Sander retired as Sacramental Minister in 1995 and Fr. James Kolb, C.S.P., succeeded him.