It was September 8, 1739 when a group of Dominican missionaries landed in Turayong, a barangay of this town which was later named Cauayan. From the very start of their mission work, the missionaries managed to convert to the Christian Faith some 140 Gaddangs, the pioneer inhabitants of this city.

In the year 1741 the Dominican authorities during their general chapter in Manila, declared this mission in Cauayan a full-fledged parish. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar commonly known as Nuestra Señora del Pilar in the old days. It was only in 1912 when the secular priests began to administer the parish.

With the growing pastoral demand especially in the forest barangays, there was a need to create a new parish. Thus, toward the end of 2013 the plan was conceptualized. Brgy. San Luis was chosen as the seat of the would-be-parish. Aside from this barangay, these barangays will comprise the new parish: Andarayan, Baco, Bugallon, Buyon, Cabugao, Casalatan, San Pablo, Cassap Fuera, Catalina, De Vera, Dianao, Dissimuray, Gappal, Linglingay, Maligaya, Manaog, Nagcampegan, Santa Maria, Sinippil, Union, Villa Luna, Villa Concepcion and Villaflor.

The bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan, Isabela, Most Rev. Joseph Nacua, OFMCap, DD, then invited the Oblates of St. Joseph to administer the new parish. Thus, on March 9, 2014, the San Luis Parish was formally inaugurated by the Franciscan bishop. He also installed the first pastor of the parish, Rev. Fr. Jeremias Cala, OSJ. Rev. Fr. Elino Comanda, OSJ was appointed as his parochial vicar. This momentous occasion was also witnessed by a number of OSJ priests headed by the provincial superior, Rev. Fr. Noel Magtaas, OSJ and other priests of the diocese.

At present, the two priests are working tirelessly on two agenda: the renovation of the parish church and the creation of the parish pastoral council.