[1] Completed in 1896,[2] both the interior and exterior have been well-preserved, showcasing a distinct Gothic Revival architecture style.

On November 2, 1857, Father Michael Prendergast of Winona visited settlers in the Austin area and offered them Mass at the home of Thomas Gibson.

George Keller then paid periodical and regular visits to Austin and the work of organization took definite form.

Thomas Grace, Bishop of St. Paul, visited the parish, dedicated the new church (initially known as St. Austin's), and administered the sacrament of Confirmation to a group of children and adults.

That year, owing to the rapid growth of St. Augustine’s congregation, Bishop Francis Kelly established a second parish in Austin to be known as the Queen of Angels Church.

[5] In 1935, the pastor, as well as some of the congregation, founded the Mower County Catholic Parishes Credit Union.

Though firemen were able to put out the fire before it spread to the rest of the church, damages were estimated at $500,000.

The parish school at Austin was opened by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, in 1872 during the pastorate of Fr.

Devlin, the Columbus school, a three-story brick building, was erected to meet the needs of the congregation and was staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Rochester.