About the year1870, efforts were made to establish a parish and build a church by a few German Catholic families living in the vicinity. But for want of sufficient funds the project was indefinitely postponed. Divine Services were held at intervals in the homes of Messrs. Schmidt, Miller and Klein. The Franciscan Father from Teutopolis ministering to the spiritual needs of the little flock.

In the year 1879, St. Mary Annunciation Parish was organized with a membership of 26 families. The present edifice, a structure of 30x60 feet was erected and furnished at a total cost of about $3000.00. The Franciscan Fathers who started the church and saw their efforts crowne3d with success retained charge until 1888, when the first diocesan priest, Reverend J. Gratza took charge. He was then pastor of @Altamont with Shumway as a mission.

Episcopal approbation for the new church was given by Right Reverend Peter J. Baltes, D.D., bishop of Alton, and it was dedicated by his Chancellor, Very Reverend John Janssen, on the 23^rd day of May, 1879.

Many worthy priests attended the spiritual needs of the congregation at Shumway; some of them have now passed to their reward, and some are still with us doing active service in the Vineyard of the Lord.

We find the following names of Franciscan Fathers on the church register with the probable dates of their terms of administration: Reverend P. Bonafacius, O.F.M., who built the church, 1879; Reverends Fulgentius Hansen, O.F.M., 1880;Reverend Franciscus Hasse, O.F.M., 1880; Reverend Benzventure Faulhaver, O.F.M., 1881; Reverend Norbertus Wilhem, O.F.M., 1881-1885; Fathers Eustachius, Paulinus, Stephanus, O.F.M., 1886; Reverend Tedlis Kaercher, 1886-88.

In 1888, the first Diocesan priest, Reverend J. Gratza, pastor of Altamont, took charge. Then followed him in quick succession, Fathers Michell, Lyons, Gesenhues, all of Altamont. From 1895 to 1904, it was attend from Effingham by the following: Fathers Ward, Hoffman, Formaz, Ostendorf, and Quatman.

Reverend August Forster, pastor of Ramsey, had Shumway as a mission from 1904-192, and during all these years attended it most faithfully.

Reverend Anton M. Jaschke attended it from St. Anthony's Hospital, Effingham, 1924, September until January, 1926, when the present incumbent, Reverend James Heslin, took charge as pastor with residence at St. Anthony's Hospital. Shumway, though a small congregation, has a nice church and Catholic cemetery, and mention is made in the parish records of the fact that they had at one time a parochial school conducted by a Catholic lay teacher under the supervision of Father Gesenhues.

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