It is true to say that much of the structure of the Parish we know today was founded by Father Murphy. He laboured in Kilsyth for 17 years, during which time he built St. Patrick's School in 1874 and also the first addition to it in 1896. In 1986 he appointed Mr Stone the first Headmaster of St Patrick's with whom he was to work closely for some years, until the then Canon Murphy left the Parish in 1889. Mr. Stone remained the Headmaster of St Patrick's Parish School until 1907. Canon Murphy added a second storey to the chapel house, extended the sanctuary and introduced central heating to the church.

During his stay in Kilsyth the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy took place in March, 1878, and when the Cathedral Chapter was formed in December, 1885, Father Murphy was made a canon. He was a strong advocate of a Catholic education for the children of his parish and was most persistent in this cause, even to the extent of teaching the pupils of the upper classes himself.

Over the years during which he was parish priest, Canon Murphy consolidated the work done by his predecessor and increased the stability of the parish by his influence in educational matters. The high esteem in which he was held was reflected in the magnificent testimonial he received from the people of the parish and district when he was transferred to West Calder in 1889. The emphasis on Catholic education established by Canon John Murphy was to be carried on by many of the successor Parish Priests in Kilsyth - but none more so that by Canon Michael Turner who was to closely follow on Canon Murphy as Parish Priest a year after his departure.