Parish priest Father Chuck O'Malley (Bing Crosby back after introducing the affable O'Malley in the 1944 film Going my way) is sent to revive a financially-ailing parochial school and immediately finds himself at odds with the no-nonsense Sister Benedict on how to educate the children. Beyond their battle of wits lies a bigger problem--the skinflint businessman next door wants St. Mary's condemned, so he can build a parking lot for his employees.