In 1890, several Catholics who had been affiliated with St. Joseph Parish in Jasper concluded that a parish should be established in Ireland to be close to their homes. St. Mary Church in Ireland, Indiana was then founded. Discussions about the possibility of forming the parish began several years before. Those advocating a new parish were Andrew Fritch, Pauline Hurts, Joh Renner, William C. Renner, Andrew Schmitt, Joseph Schuetter, James Schuler, Phillip Schwenk, Martin Sermersheim, Michael Steinhart.
A building and organization committee was formed, composed of Andrew Schmitt, James Schuler and Phillip Schwenk. Following the advice of several priests, the committee approached the Right Reverend Fintan Mundweiler, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Meinrad's Abbey for final counsel and assistance in obtaining a pastor. On April 24, 1890, 19 1/2 acres were purchased from Albert H. Stewart for $1,200.00.
The first church was a small wooden frame constructed in 1891. Fidelis Maute, O.S.B., pastor at Jasper, was appointed to serve as the first pastor of the new parish. Fr. Maute read the first Holy mass for 37 members. Fr. Maute continued residence in Jasper and turned over daily operation of St. Mary as a "mission" to the priest-professors at Jasper College. They were Rev. Dominic Barthel, O.S.B., 1891-1895, and Rev. Hoppenjans, O.S.B., 1895-1903. Although a rectory was built in 1894, it would be almost 10 years until the benefits of a resident pastor was to come.
Fr. Anthony Michel, O.S.B. a Dubois County native, was appointed the first resident pastor in 1903. The parish had grown to 45 families and plans for a new and larger church were being considered.
The cornerstone for the new brick structure was laid on August 15, 1904, by the Right Revered Anthanasius Schmitt, Abbot of St. Meinrad, for the new church of the "Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary". The cost of the building was only $11,000 due to the donated materials and labor from the members of the parish.
The church was completed in time for the Christmas Masses in 1905. New pews to expand the seating capacity and altars were added in 1916. The old St. Mary Church was completed in 1903 when the seating capacity was increased, new altars installed, modern electric lighting fixtures added, and the distinctive belfry erected.
On January 21, 2018, groundbreaking for the new St. Mary Church was held. Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, D.D., S.T.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, Fr. Joseph F. Erbacher, "Effie", Deacon John Huether and several parishioners were in attendance for this special event. The groundbreaking of the new church was held February 25, 2018. The building of the new church began shortly after this date, and the church was completed and dedicated on June 28, 2020. Bishop Joseph M. Siegel, D.D., S.T.L., Fr. Joseph F. Erbacher, "Effie", former pastors and 300+ parishioners were in attendance. Because of the covid virus, St. Mary Parish was limited to the number of attendees.
Parish Families as of 10/2025: 956
Parish Members as of 10/2025: 2,438
