Our Lady of the Lake Parish has been serving the Mandeville and Northshore area for over 150 years. During the beginning of our nation's history, the United States primarily served as mission territory, prompting many priests from Europe to travel to our country to evangelize. Reverend Joseph Outendirck, originally from Belgium, served as the first appointed pastor of the Church of Mandeville followed by many other mission driven priests. In the early 20th century, the Benedictines took over Our Lady of the Lake and established the parish school under the Rev. E.J. Lavaquery. The Sisters of Christian Charity acted as the first religion teachers for the school until unknown conflicts led Rev. J.C. Schmitt to confide in the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica convent to lead the education programs. 

The present church & chapel were dedicated in 1953, under Benedictine priest Fr. Canisius Brumel, as an outdoor shrine devoted to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Fr. Canisius played a crucial role in the development of the school which included acting as interim third grade teacher, expanding the school's cafeteria, & creating the hot lunch program for students.

Fr. John Leblanc, widely known for his energetic demeanor & devotion to youth athletic programs, served Our Lady of the Lake from 1958-1979. His dedication to the athletic programs led to the school's playground being appropriately named "Fr. John Field." Fr. John then entrusted his school administration duties as principal to the Benedictine Sisters. In the 1970's the Benedictine Sisters relinquished full control of the school to the laity, making Fr. John the last Benedictine priest of Our Lady of the Lake to serve as pastor.