Parish Short History

In 1890,  some Polish coal miners in the northern part of St. Clair County held services in private homes and in recognition of these people, a painting of Our Lady of Csestochowa hangs in the church, courtesy of Mr. And Mrs. H. E. Brandli who brought it to Our Lady of the Lake from Poland.

In the Catholic Church’s geographical organization in Alabama, Pell City was listed as a station served by the Jesuit Fathers from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Selma, in 1900.

In 1902, the Jesuit Fathers returned this station to the archdiocese of Mobile.

Bishop Edward P. Allen placed missions and stations under the Sacred Heart Parish, Anniston, with Reverend Francis Doyle as pastor. Pell City was listed in the Catholic Directory as a station from Anniston through 1927.

In 1930, Reverend Paul Klich served this mission as well as St. Stanislaus, Wylam, while residing at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Birmingham. In 1935, he began serving Pell City from his residence in Wylam.

The need for a Catholic Church was created when Logan Martin Lake attracted tourists, visitors and many permanent residents to the area hence making Archbishop T.J. Toolen approved the construction of a church.

Meanwhile for two years, services were held in temporary quarters at the Coosa Valley Telephone Company in Pell City, beginning May 7, 1967. These quarters were generously provided by Mrs. Jean Brandli who was a driving force in the founding and funding of Our Lady of the Lake Church.

With the help of the Catholic Church Extension Society of Chicago, Illinois, The Holy Name Society Chapel Fund, The Catholic Men’s Club of the state, as well as many generous people of St. Clair County, Our Lady of the Lake Church was built. The dedication took place on August 18, 1970, with The Most Reverend Joseph G. Vath, Bishop of the new Diocese of Birmingham. 

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