The history of the parish really begins in 1847 when Bishop William Dollard blessed Saint William's Church in St. Martin's. This was the main church.  Father Andrew Barron, the first parish priest, also served mission churches in Black River, Upham, Little River, Loch Lomond, Saddleback.  In 1950, a forest fire destroyed Saint William's Church and over 50 homes.  Saint William's Church was rebuilt in 1901 and blessed by Bishop Timothy Casey, with the pastor Father Michael Coughlan.