A mission was started in Shelby by the Benedictines of Belmont Mary Help of Christians Abbey in 1884 but by the end of the century it had ceased to exist.  The mission was re-established by the same Benedictine community in 1935.  From six Catholic families the congregation grew until July 11, 1937, when the small stone church at E. Graham and Beaumonde Streets was blessed by Abbot Vincent Taylor, OSB.  St. Mary was elevated to the status of parish in 1939 with Fr. Gregory Eichenlaub, OSB as the first pastor.

A nine-acre tract was purchased in 1963, and ground was broken for a multi-purpose building including a church, hall, classrooms and pastor’s apartment in May 1965.  Groundbreaking for the new church was held on Pentecost 1991, with the cornerstone laid in September.  The first Mass was celebrated in the new Church on Ash Wednesday, 1992.  The Dedication of St. Mary Help of Christians was officially celebrated by Bishop John Donoghue on May 24, 1992.