In the year 1810 a church was built in Ballyhaise at a cost of £400. This church was replaced in 1942 by the present day St. Mary’s Church. When the new Cathedral was built in Cavan, the old Cathedral was transferred, stone by stone, to Ballyhaise and rebuilt as St. Mary’s Church. The lovely sandstone was transferred from Cavan to Ballyhaise by horse and cart.

St. Mary’s Church was rededicated by Bishop Lyons on 17th October 1943. In 1982 the sacristy was removed from the front of the church to the back and the sanctuary area was extended. In 2001 extensive work was carried out on the sanctuary area of the church with new marble altar and baptismal font being installed. It was rededicated by Bishop Leo O’Reilly on 18th November 2001.