Shieldsville began as an Irish settlement, served by the mission priest, Fr. Augustine Ravoux. The first Mass was offered in 1855, and the following year, a church was built using lumber from the nearby sawmill. By 1858, the Irish had been joined by Canadians, Belgians, and French. A stone church was built but was struck by lightning and burned down in 1888. The church was rebuilt, keeping the bell and walls of the old church. On July 29, 2002, the church was struck by lightning and burned. A new church and hall were built and dedicated on August 1, 2004.
