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Our History

The initial project cost estimates were $6.45 million. A major campaign was launched in 2015 to raise the impressive amount of 10 million dollars during the construction works, ultimately leading to its opening in November 2019.

A legacy to preserve,
a new story to write

The origins of St. Raphael’s project date back to the year 2008. After Saint-Raphael the Archangel Parish closed on Lajoie Avenue in Montreal, the Archdiocese of Montreal gave the faith community permission to use the building and grounds to create a project that would bring people together and serve the community as a whole.

A committee of former parishioners was tasked with finding a new use for this magnificent church. After numerous consultations and analyses, the committee determined that a palliative care home would best meet the needs of the community. This vocation was also in keeping with the wishes of Father Gerald A. Sinel, the last parish priest of Saint-Raphael’s Parish. Father Sinel, who died of cancer in 2007, was a generous and dedicated man whose mission in life was to serve others. That’s how St. Raphael’s came to be.

Père Gerry
Father Gerald A. Sinel, last parish priest.
2009 Agreement with the Archdiocese of Montreal for site development. Recognized as a charitable organization by the Canada Revenue Agency.
2010 Architectural plans drawn up. Construction and operating cost studies completed.
2011 Modification of zoning by the CDN-NDG borough with a view to sustainable development and harmonious integration.
2012 Favorable results of a feasibility study with potential major donors.
2012-2015 Bonds established with the community, hospitals and organizations offering palliative care, as well as the Montreal West Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre. Awareness raising events.
2015 Start of the major fundraising campaign.
2016 Confirmation by the Ministry of Health and Social Services of its participation in annual operating expenses.
2017 Start of construction (fall).
2019 Opening

Towards the Construction of a Palliative Care Home

At the time, advanced care planning, like the services provided at our Day Centre, was an emerging and little-known concept—as it still is today. Those in charge of developing the vision of St. Raphael’s researched best practices in care around the world.

The initial project cost estimates were $6.45 million. In 2015, a major fundraising campaign cabinet was established to raise an impressive $10 million to cover both the construction costs and the first two years of operations. The cabinet rose to the challenge by rallying over 900 donors to support the cause and prepare for the grand opening in November 2019.

The ground breaking ceremony in 2017 which kicked off the construction phase of the project.
Moving into St. Raphael’s.

Opening of St. Raphael’s in November 2019

Once construction was complete, we needed to furnish the space, develop a management plan, and recruit the best professionals to bring the founders’ innovative vision to life. For that reason, a small team of a dozen or so people was created in summer 2019. First based in offices on Dunbar Avenue, the team hired the required personnel to provide an excellent level of care, including doctors, nurses, patient care attendants, a massage therapist, a social worker, a music therapist, an art therapist, cooks, maintenance staff, management, and administrative staff. In addition, volunteers needed to be actively recruited, since palliative care facilities usually rely on the support of over 200 volunteers to offer their services. After an enormous amount of work, St. Raphael’s welcomed its first patient on November 12, 2019.

A daily impact on end-of-life for hundreds of people

Your support gives people at the end-of-life and their loved ones access to free, high-quality care and services. With St. Raphael’s exceptional ratio of four patients to one nurse, the healthcare team is able to provide the necessary attention and support during these precious moments. Our multidisciplinary team supports people living with an incurable disease and their loved ones at every stage, starting at diagnosis, throughout their treatment, during their last moments of life and after their death. In addition, St. Raphael’s services and care help relieve the physical and psychological symptoms associated with end-of-life and caregiving, extending the patient’s time at home, and breaking their isolation.

A patient who experienced their end of life at St. Raphael's.

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