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 a young 18-year-old boy the day before 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 were the last words spoken by Louis Alaux, the 18-year-old artist of the painting, in 1904. The history of this phrase holds a deep weight and meaning to the parishioners of Our Lady of the Lake's parish. 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.​​​​