Since 1928 Catholics in Marshfield attended Mass at either St. Mary's in Scituate or St. Theresa's summer mission in Humarock. By the 1940's nearly 300 families were attending Mass regularly at St. Theresa's. In 1944 Reverend Edmund Moran was appointed by his eminence Richard Cardinal Cushing as Pastor of Marshfield Hills. Upon his arrival, Fr. Moran saw that the remote location of St. Theresa's Chapel would not be suitable for a new parish. A better location with improved access to the community had to be found. A barn, on Rt. 3A in Marshfield Hills, which was formerly used by W. Torrey Little as an antique shop became the first site for the new parish.


Father Moran fulfilled a dream of his by naming the parish after the patron saint of his deceased mother St. Christine. It was the only parish in the Archdiocese dedicated to this saint.

From everywhere, people contributed furnishings for the new church. The altar came from St. Mary's in Scituate and the Stations of the Cross from St. Ambrose Church in Dorchester. Father Moran, who was also an architect, used his skill to fashion an altar rail from stair banisters and the center lighting from a huge wheel which hung gracefully from the ceiling. Even the pews had a past, as Father Moran managed to salvage them from a condemned school building.

The Sisters of St. Matthew's in Dorchester made the linen and veil for the Tabernacle and the Tabernacle Society of Emmanuel College presented him with a complete set of vestments, a ciborium, a chalice and other altar linens. Other renovations were made in time, including a balcony that was also designed by Father Moran. Adjacent to the Church was an attractive Cape Cod Colonial, which Father Moran readily converted to a functional rectory to serve his 300 winter parishioners. Assistance came to Father Moran from various quarters, not only from his flock of 300 but also from many professional contractors, engineers, and architects.

But by the 1950's "the church that was a barn" seemed to grow smaller with the continued expansion of the parish flock. Father Moran was succeeded by Father Daniel McCarthy.