In 1879, on a blustery Sunday in March, a man wearing a religious cassock appeared in the village of Poplar Springs and asked to be directed to the home of Lilbourne P. Kuhn, who lived on a large farm along this road. Although not Catholic, Kuhn was familiar with the faith from time spent in South America helping build the Ecuadorian Navy. The mysterious priest asked to use Kuhn's home for Mass, and Kuhn advertised in Mt. Airy and Woodbine that Mass would be celebrated the following Sunday. Twenty Catholics gathered on two succeeding Sundays, but no priest came. Kuhn later reached the Superior of St. Charles College, who contacted the Rector of Woodstock College, and the Rev. Charles Ferrari, S.J., was sent to look after the matter, becoming the first priest to minister to the small gathering. Recognizing the need for worship, Kuhn donated land for both a church and cemetery. The cornerstone was laid on June 12, 1880, and the first Mass was celebrated on October 18 by the Rev. Edward I. Devitt, S.J., who became the first regular pastor. In 1892, St. Michael's became a mission church of St. Joseph's, Sykesville, with Mass offered once a month and on Holy days. In 1936, the Rev. John A. Martin began weekly services and Sunday school. The silver jubilee was marked by a Mass celebrated by MSGR. Robert J. Achestter and Father Devitt, and the golden jubilee was observed by Fr. William Neligan, pastor from 1930-1936. On September 23, 1956, the seventy-fifth anniversary was honored by the presence of Francis P. Keought, Archbishop of Baltimore. After seventy-two years as a mission church, Lawrence Cardinal Shehan established St. Michael's as a separate parish on June 6, 1964. On May 6, 1979, St. Michael's celebrated one hundred years as a parish. Over time, electric lights were installed around 1950, replacing candlelit evening services, chandeliers were later donated by W. Kevin Smith in memory of his parents Julia and Francis Smith, and the church retained features such as an outdoor privy, a small curtained confessional beside the altar, and a coal and wood furnace in the basement. The post Vatican II altar was constructed by Frank Capella with funds donated in memory of Monica Morel, who died February 1, 1964, at age 3 1/2 years. Stained glass windows were donated in memory of J. Garrett Reilly, Edward and Mary Cavanaugh, and Woodrow Welsh. After the Heritage of Hope Campaign in 1998, the church was renovated, and it is now used for daily Mass, devotions, and small weddings and funerals.