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In the summer of 1931, Mass was first celebrated at Lake Winola at the LaRue cottage on the Wilkes-Barre shore. Cottagers would paddle to Mass in canoes and rowboats and stand on the porch or sit on chairs inside.
In 1956, with the guidance and support of Father Joseph Nallin, Saint Mary of the Lake Church was completed and dedicated as a mission of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary Church in Tunkhannock.
In 1968 and 1969, a pledge drive was organized for a much needed Hall for the growing Catholic community. Members of our parish donated their time and skills to assist in the construction of the hall, which was dedicated in 1970.
Saint Mary of the Lake Church was designated as a full parish community by Bishop James Timlin on September 1, 1986.
In 1993, Deacon Raymond Pieretti, a parishioner of Saint Mary of the Lake, was ordained in the first class of Permanent Deacons in the diocese.
In 2004, Saint Mary of the Lake and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parishes were linked to form a single faith community. The two parishes share pastoral staff and other services while maintaining their distinct, independent parish identities.
In 2006, Rev. Robert Kelleher, a son of Saint Mary of the Lake, was ordained to the priesthood.
The year 2011 marked the 25th anniversary of Saint Mary of the Lake parish. Bishop Joseph Bambera celebrated the 25th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving in September of 2011.
In 2015, we welcomed Father Patrick Albert as our seventh and current pastor.
As the newest and also one of the smallest parishes in the Diocese of Scranton, the parish family of Saint Mary of the Lake today maintains a vibrant and enthusiastic Catholic presence at Lake Winola. With a keen appreciation of our past, we look confidently toward the future, as we work to carry out our parish mission: “To know, love, and serve the Lord and one another, in imitation of Mary."