In 1835 George Tyler camped beside a creek northwest of Elgin and, after having marked his claim, built a house. Many Irish families began to move to the area and the area became known as "the Barrens." In 1837 the first Mass was celebrated by Father Maurice de St. Palais who later became Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana. 

In 1842 construction began on the "Barrens" Church located where St. Mary's Cemetery now stands. The original church building was never full constructed and in 1855 Father Gallagher build a larger church in Gilberts proper. 

In 1863 Redemptorist Missionary Priests Father Giesen and Father Bradley came to Gilberts and erected a Redemptorist Cross which still stands in the rear of our church today. 

In 1917, following associate with St. Mary, Huntley, and Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Cary, St. Mary became affiliated with St. Catherine of Siena in West Dundee.

The current church has undergone several renovations including the addition of a basement, new stained glass, a repainted and reappointed interior, and, in 2017, a new organ. 

What began with a single Catholic family almost 200 years ago is now a vibrant parish looking proudly towards the future.