In 1845 a few Catholic settlers decided to establish their own parish in Navilleton, Indiana. Land to build a church was donated by Charles Kinberger. A log church was built on what is now the site of the cemetery. On September 8, 1845, Fr. Neyron pastor of St. Mary's of the Knobs held the first service in the church and dedicated it under the title "The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary." Many of the founders are direct ancestors of present members of the parish.
For several years the parish remained a mission parish and was cared for by a succession of neighboring parishes. It was in 1908 that the mission parish of Navilleton became a parish with a resident pastor, Rev. Herman Gadlage. However, the status of being an independent parish lasted only five years. The bishop decided the parish was not ready to sustain itself, and in 1913 it reverted to a mission parish.
In 1935, the parish again was established as an independent parish. Father William Knapp was pastor until 1938. The parish continued to grow and had several pastors until 1948. In that year Father William Dorraugh became pastor, remained so until 1962. Father Edward Gayso succeeded Father Dorraugh until 1974. During 1974 and 1975 several different priests from neighboring parishes served briefly in the parish.
On December 6, 1976 Father Bernard Gerdon assumed duties of pastor. Under his pastorate the changes in the Church decreed by the Second Vatican Council were implemented. The Blessed Virgin Shrine built by parish volunteers was blessed by Archbishop O'Meara on August 15, 1980.
Growth continued at Navilleton, and in 1983 a paid professor was hired for the CCD program. In the spring and summer of that same year the new Activities Center was built. Father Gerdon retired, and Father Charles Berkemeier became our pastor.
The parish continued to grow and flourish under Father Berkemeier with the purchase of property and a building that was used as a Religious Education Center. A part-time Youth Minister Coordinator was hired in 1985. Additional ground was donated to the parish for a cemetary. Father Berkemeier retired in 1995, and in 1996 Rev. Tony Hubler came to our parish. The rectory became the Parish Center and Religious Education Center then became the pastor's residence.
In the summer of 2003, Father Hubler retired and Dan Sarell was appointed Parish Life Coordinator with Father Mike Hildebrand assigned as sacramental Minister. Father John Elmer, OFM Conv. was appointed by Archbishop Buechlein as Sacramental Minister in September of 2004.
In the winter of 2004 Dan Sarell accepted a position at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and Father John Elmer, OFM Conv. was appointed temporary administrator, January 2005. Father John was officially appointed pastor of Navilleton in June 2005. He was succeeded by Father Pius Poff, OFM Conv. and devotedly served the parish until a sudden onset of Leukemia and his passing in March of 2022. Fr. Wilfred E. Day, pastor of St. John the Baptist, Starlight, was appointed interim administrator until Fr. Joseph West, OFM Conv. was appointed pastor of both St. Mary's and St. John's in July of 2022.
The parish looks toward the future with the Universal Church to continue to provide members of our community a home for spiritual growth and the worship of God.