In November of 1887, the first train rolled though the prairie village which would soon be known as Shiner, Texas. Settlers at Half Moon, a small settlement three and a half miles northwest of the tracks, anxiously moved their families closer to the railroad, and the town of Shiner was born.

The early citizens of the town were busy building new homes and businesses; however, the spiritual growth of the community was not neglected. The first Czech and German Catholic families in the newly settled area of Shiner attended church services in either Halletsville, Yoakum, and Praha.

On June 17, 1890, Father John A. Forest of Halletsville met with a group Catholic men to plan the building of a church in Shiner. Two acres of land were purchased from Moritz Richter, and the home of the Catholic Church in Shiner was established just east of the railroad tracks. A. Harbers drew the plans for the first church and contracted for the building, a structure 85 feet x 40 feet with a steeple 112 feet high. Construction began January 2, 1891, and was completed May 31, 1891. Father J.A. Forest blessed and dedicated the church on May 7, 1891 under the name of SS. Cyril and Methodius.

Priests from Hallettsville served the mission until February, 1892, when it became a mission of the Moulton parish under the direction of Father Benes. On February 11, 1892, a twister moved the church 11 feet off its foundation and destroyed the tower. The damaged building was straightened , repaired and new pews were purchased. The parish debt was soon paid due to generous donations from Shiner non-Catholic merchants and Catholic parishioners. On November 16, 1892, Father Benes blessed the first two church bells.

In February 1912, SS. Cyril and Methodius became a separate parish, and Father Joseph Klobouk was the first resident pastor. A French style parish hall was built next to the church the same year. Father Klobouk was succeeded in October, 1912 by Father Francis Machan, under whose leadership a large brick structure was built which became the new convent and provided classrooms for St. Ludmila Academy.

Father Machan remained in Shiner until his sudden death on September 27, 1917. During the next six years the parish was served by father Francis Xavier Wolf, assisted by Fathers Leo Moczygemba, Daniel A. Sykora, and Paul Kaspar.

Rapid growth of the parish necessitated the building of a larger church. Father Wolf and architect E. Wahrenberger supervised the construction contractors as Vincent Falbo and M. Deodati of San Antonio began building one of the most magnificent Gothic structures between San Antonio and Houston. The cornerstone was laid in 1920, and the present church was blessed by Bishop Drossaerts on July 7, 1921. The structure is still known as one of the most eye-catching landmarks in South Central Texas with visitors from around the world stopping regularly to photograph and tour the church. Its beauty is enchanted by six late stained glass windows and a huge mural of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane which overlooks the altar.

Father Louis P. Netardus became pastor on Sept 26, 1923, when the parish grew to 500 families. Father Netardus served the parish almost twenty-three years until his death in June 1946. Under his pastorship, the large parish debt was liquidated, and the church received a new roof. He served as dean of the Shiner deanery and was invested as Domestic Prelate in November, 1935. On the occasion of his investiture, a large bell donated by Dr. F.M. Wagner and family was blessed by Archbishop Drossaerts. Father John Hanacek was then appointed pastor.

The church building was repaired and renovated in 1954. A new parish gym replaced the wooden Parish Hall and a new wing of classrooms at St. Ludmila Academy was added. The Wagner family donated the present pipe organ and the new set of Stations of the Cross. John F. Kasper, creator of the original baptismal font, carved the wooden crosses above the Stations of the Cross and the lecterns in the sanctuary and the choir. A new rectory was constructed in 1958 and blessed on January 11, 1959.

During the 1960’s four lots were purchased across the street from the church and school for paved parking lots. In 1964, the parish received twelve acres of land for a new cemetery adjacent to the old one from the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Dickson.

In 1963, the parish also constructed a modern two-story brick structure which became the home of St. Paul High School. Providing a Catholic education remains a treasured and unique trademark of the parish.

During 1972-1973, the church steeple and the beautiful stained glass windows were repaired. Clear double windows were installed to replace the old wire hail guards on the windows.

Pope Paul VI honored Father John Hanacek by bestowing on him the honor of Domestic Prelate January 31, 1971. The investiture took place April 19, 1971.

Twelve men from Shiner have been ordained to the priesthood: Father Francis Havel, Father Louis Blinka, Father Edward Jansky, Bishop John Morkovsky, Monsignor Julius Petru, Monsignor Stanley Petru, Father Albert Maneth, Father Emil Wesselsky, Father Lawrence Matula, Father Joseph Hybner, Father Timothy Kosler, Father Charles Kram, and Father David Berger.

Twenty-five women from the parish entered the religious congregation of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Sisters: Sister Wenceslaus Riha, Sister Xavier Fric, Sister Sidonia Zak, Sister Matha Dominquez, Sister Clare Jaks, Sister Beatrise Jaks, Sister Nepomucene Svatek, Sister Bohumila Svatek, Sister Agnes Hybner, Sister Margaret Mary Hucek, Sister Florence Ullamann, Sister Barbara Konvica, Sister Noreen Siebenhausen, Sister Clarice Frazier, Sisters Clementine and Carmela Hlavik, Sister Nepomucene Zemanek, Sister Frances Zemanek, and Sister Margaret Mary Pustka, Sister Alcantara Hybner, Sister Rosalie Hybner, and Sister Sophie Kubicek; Sister Wallburger Klos and Judith Ann Stluka.

Monsignor John Hanacek bade farewell to the Shiner parish on June 5, 1974, after twenty-seven years of faithful and fruitful service to the people of God. Father Patrick Fidgeon was assigned to this parish on that day, with Father Daniel O’Brien as associate pastor.

Father Sean Donohue succeeded Father Fidgeon on June 8, 1988. The parish was deeply saddened by the loss of Father Sean when he passed away on June 3, 1989 after a brief and sudden illness. Father Jerome (Jerry) Caponi succeeded Father Sean in 1989.

Under the pastorship of Father Jerry Caponi a total renovoation of the church began in 1994 with the bell tower being repaired and a stained glass window of the Good Shepard installed above the main entrance at the front of the church. In 1995 the interior renovation began. The interior renovation took four months. During this time the walls were repainted and sealed, carpet was laid throughout the church floors, pews were repaired and stained, and statues were touched up.

In 1999, under the pastorship of Father Gerry Cernoch, an exterior renovation began. A handicap ramp was added, sidewalks replaced and a lawn sprinkling system was installed. The exterior renovation included an overall cleaning, mortar replacement and sealing of walls of the church. 

A Parish Activity Center, located across the street from the church was bequeathed to the parish by Dr. Pat and Marlene Wagner.  It serves as a suitable meeting place for many church, school and community activities.

In 2002, a Parish Hall was completed adjacent to the parish gym.  It serves as a cafeteria for the Catholic School students and, with a seating capacity of approximately 200, is used to accommodate the larger gatherings of various parish and school functions.

In July 2002, Father Robert E. (Bob) Knippenberg was appointed pastor of the parish, which consists of approximately one thousand families. Assisting Father Knippenberg is Deacon Paul Patek who was ordained a Deacon on August 15, 1987 and Deacon Joe Machacek who was ordained a Deacon on December 19, 2009.  Under the pastorship of Father Knippenberg and direction of Deacon Joe Machacek, parish Business Manager, a complete exterior renovation of the historic 1916 convent was begun in June 2010 and completed in June 2011.  Partial funding for this project was obtained as an Eagle Scout project by parishioners Blue Hybner and Devin Pesek.  Also undertaken was a complete renovation of the church's bells and bell ringing system and the electrical wiring in the church.  Father Knippenberg also undertook renovation of the church doors and some of the stained glass windows in church.  Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament was also established in the parish during Father Knippenberg's tenure as pastor along with the weekly Sunday celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Roman Rite.

In 2004, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament left the parish and school after 107 years of good and faithful ministry.

In 2006, we welcomed the Vietnamese Dominican Sisters (Houston, Texas) who work joyfully and tirelessly in our parish Religious Education program and Catholic school.  A new convent was provided the Sisters by purchasing and renovating the home across St. Ludmila Street from the gymnasium.

The ancestors of many of the current parishioners established a strong foundation for a church of which Shiner can be proud. The activities supported by the parish have had a positive effect on several generations of Shinerites, both Catholic and non-Catholic. There is also hope that the proud heritage of this church will continue. It appears to be as sure as the Angelus bells ringing three times daily reminding us of God’s presence in our lives.

Listed in National Registry of Historical Places 1983