Built by the Franciscan Friars in 1863

In 1863, the Franciscan Friars from Teutopolis, Illinois, established a mission parish on a site three miles southwest of Neoga, in Trowbridge, Shelby County, Illinois. Seven Acres of timber land having been donated by Patrick McAndrew, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and a stone mason for the Illinois Central Railroad, a white clapboard frame building 54 x 30 feet was constructed by Catholic families under the supervision of Fr. Kilian Schloesser, O.S.F. This was the first building in America designed and built by the provincial architect, Brother Adrian Wewer, O.S.F. Neoga Catholics attended Mass at this rural church until St. Mary's Church was built in Neoga in 1895. The Neoga parishioners again attended services at their "mother parish", St. Patrick's, from 1960-1963 when St. Mary's was razed and a new church was built.

In 1889, a diocesan priest was appointed to serve both parishes with the residence to be in Neoga. The Edgewood parish of St. Anne's was a mission of Neoga, served twice a month (with the pastor traveling by train) beginning in 1863 until 1907.

The Trowbridge church property also consisted of a group of white clapboard buildings including a one-room schoolhouse, a storage shed, and men and women's out-houses. A parish hall was built in the 1950's and served the community until it was torn down around 1981. Although no buildings remain on the property, the one-room school house was bought by Alfred Hardesty and moved to his farm adjoining the church property where it still stands (2007).

St. Patrick's Cemetery has existed behind the church from the beginning and is still maintained by a cemetery board for the use of present and future generations. At his request, Father Michael J. Crowley (who served Neoga and Trowbridge for over 27 years) is buried (along with his sister, Hannah) in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Also buried in nearby plots is Patrick McAndrew as well as his mother-in-law, Sarah Boone Ambercrombie, a grandniece of the legendary Daniel Boone.