HISTORY 

Our Lady of the Lake has been serving the Mandeville community since the parish’s founding in 1850. The parish has provided sacramental ministry to the residents on the Northshore for over 170 years through the ministry of priests such as Fathers Joseph Outendirck and Adrien Rouquette in the 19th Century, the Benedictine monks assigned to the parish through much of the 20th Century, and priests from the Archdiocese in the latter part of the 20th Century to the present. 
Our Lady of the Lake has been a source of comfort and support to the Mandeville community since its inception offering residents solace and repose throughout life’s highs and lows, including epidemics of cholera and yellow fever. The famous image of Our Lady of the Lake was in fact painted by the father of a young 18-year-old boy the day after his tragic passing in Lake Pontchartrain, and was hung in the church as a comfort to his family. This painting would go on to become the reason Our Lady of the Lake was given the name it has today.

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OUR WORK​

Sainte-Chapelle Studios enhanced the existing history and beauty in this community by beautifying the sanctuary with a glorious banner inscribed with Latin text. The banner integrates the theme of “My God, Save Me”- the phrase painted at the foot of Our Lady of the Lake on the left wall- with Christ's promise from Matthew 28:20 ("Behold, I am with you always"). These words were last spoken in 1904 by 18-year-old Louis Alaux, who tragically drowned in Lake Pontchartrain. In his grief, Louis’ father painted a depiction of his son at the feet of Our Lady and donated it to the Mandeville church, then called St. Teresa Church. This act of devotion, born from profound grief, led to the church being renamed Our Lady of the Lake, honoring both the painting and the deep connection between the community’s faith and the memory of Louis Alaux. The 23 karat gold stenciling glistens against this church's sanctuary, reminding all who enter the building of God's promise to humanity of salvation and hope.​​​​