The beginnings of this small church go back to the chapel at Doughoregan Manor, a home of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1855, Howard County had just been formed from Anne Arundel County, and the Catholic community in the Clarksville area had grown large enough to build its own church. John O’Donnell donated the land for the "new" church in 1855. The church building was completed and dedicated in 1856. By 1889, the congregation outgrew this small new church and a new larger church was built and dedicated on Old Columbia Pike.

The 19th century church, still owned and maintained by the St. Louis Parish, has fallen on hard times. The interior is gutted; the roof is in need of replacement; and much of the woodwork, including window and doorframes, is rotted. The Archdiocese of Baltimore, ultimate owners of the site, took control of the project. Although substantial funds have been raised, no actual restoration has been started. The roof withstood one more winter, but may not withstand another.