Fr. Shank was ordained June 11, 1931, by the late Archbishop Curley, after studying at St. Patrick's School in Washington DC, at St. Charles College, and at St. Mary's Seminary.
Following his ordination, he was assigned assistant pastor to St. Edward's Church, serving there for 19 years under the late Msgr. William A. Toolen, pastor.
He was named administrator of St. Lawrence Church in Jessup in June of 1950 and was made pastor of the church in the following year.
He was then appointed to St. Martin's Church in Baltimore on September 25, 1953.
Fr. Shank passed away on June 23, 1961.