About Our Lady of the Lake · Branson, Missouri
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church is a vibrant parish in Branson, Missouri, located at 203 Vaughn Drive in the heart of the Ozarks. Part of the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau, it serves about 500 active year-round families and welcomes roughly 150,000 'part-time parishioners' — vacationers, performers, and tourists — through its weekend Masses each year. The parish is led by Pastor Fr. John ('J') F. Friedel with two associate pastors and a permanent deacon, and shares ministry across the lake region with sister parishes Our Lady of the Ozarks in Forsyth and Our Lady of the Cove in Kimberling City. Its worship is offered in both English and Spanish, reflecting the diverse Catholic faithful who find a spiritual home here in southwest Missouri.
- Established
- 1915 (faith established in Taney County); officially dedicated 1936
- Patron
- Our Lady (the Blessed Virgin Mary), under the title 'Our Lady of the Lake'
- Rector
- Fr. John ('J') F. Friedel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Lake offers a unique Catholic home for both longtime locals and the thousands of visitors who pass through Branson each weekend. With about 500 active families and an engaged staff focused on Children & Youth Ministry, Outreach, Hispanic Ministry, Faith Formation, and Communications, the parish is working toward becoming a stronger Stewardship Parish. Daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration in the Blessed Mother Teresa Chapel, and confession on Saturdays give busy families and travelers alike a rhythm of prayer in the heart of the Ozarks.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Lake
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
- By appointment — call the parish office at 417-334-2928 (M–F 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (1st Wednesday of the month: evening Adoration and Benediction after 5:30 Mass until 7:30 PM)
- Thursday: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
About Our Lady of the Lake
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church is a community of believers and a spiritual family in Branson, Missouri, ready to serve God and each other in a supportive and loving way. The parish welcomes 1,200 to 1,500 'Parishioners-for-a-Day' each weekend — vacationers and travelers who come to celebrate Mass alongside the roughly 500 active year-round families. As Catholics representing about 5% of the population in the heart of the Ozarks, the parish works toward becoming a stronger Stewardship Parish, putting faith into daily action.
- About 500 active families
- Welcomes 150,000 'part-time parishioners' annually
- Approximately 5% Catholic population in southwest Missouri
- Includes a Spanish/English Mass each weekend
History of the Parish
Catholic faith was planted in Taney County, Missouri, in 1915, when visiting fishermen and campers were first served with sporadic summer Masses. The parish was officially dedicated in 1936 by Msgr. James J. McCaffrey, taking up residence in a former Farmers Bank stone building. As Branson's tourism exploded, a larger church was dedicated on Vaughan Drive in 1971 by Bishop William Baum, and a 'Vision for the Future' under Msgr. Philip A. Bucher in 1993 shaped the current worship space. The parish marked its centennial in 2022 with a special Centennial Decade Concert on September 25, 2022.
- 1915 — Catholic faith planted in Taney County
- 1936 — Parish officially dedicated by Msgr. James J. McCaffrey
- 1971 — New church on Vaughan Drive dedicated by Bishop William Baum
- 1987–1993 — Fr. Ernie Marquart shepherded the 'boom' years
- 1993 — Msgr. Philip A. Bucher arrived with 'Vision for the Future'
- September 25, 2022 — Centennial Decade Concert
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. John ('J') F. Friedel and two associate pastors, supported by a permanent deacon and a full office, formation, outreach, communications, and maintenance staff. The same pastoral team also serves sister parishes Our Lady of the Ozarks in Forsyth and Our Lady of the Cove in Kimberling City, making OLL a hub of Catholic life across the Tri-Lakes area.
- Pastor: Fr. J. Friedel (x105, [email protected])
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Johny M. Augusthy, VC (x101)
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Dhaneesh Thomas, OSB
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon Dan Vaughn
- Director of Parish Hospitality: Samantha Barron (x111)
- Director of Outreach: Mike Rivera (x102)
- Director of Formation: Nickie Rivera (x109)
- Director of Finance: Pat Hutcheson (x110)
- Director of Communication: Valerie Marriott (x103)
- Lead Custodian: Mercedes Ortiz
- Maintenance Lead: Dan Bosserman
Parish Life and Ministries
Our Lady of the Lake offers a range of ministries touching every age and walk of life. A Coordinator of Children & Youth Ministry oversees faith formation for the parish's youngest members, while a Director of Outreach leads the parish's service to the wider Branson community. A Parish Secretary & Hispanic Ministry staff member supports the parish's Spanish-speaking faithful, with a weekly Saturday evening Mass in Spanish. Directors of Finance, Communications, Parish Hospitality, and Formation round out the leadership team.
- Children & Youth Ministry
- Outreach Ministry
- Hispanic Ministry (with Spanish Mass)
- Faith Formation (children, youth, and adult)
- Parish Hospitality
- Communications and Livestream Mass
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms can be scheduled through the parish office; Reconciliation is offered every Saturday and by appointment; weddings involve six-to-nine-months of preparation beginning with a meeting with the priest or deacon; the Anointing of the Sick is available to those facing serious illness, surgery, or impending death; and adults seeking Confirmation or anyone discerning Holy Orders are invited to contact the parish office.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (Holy Communion)
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Marriage / Weddings
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders / Vocations
The Story Behind OLL's Logo
The parish logo is rich with meaning drawn from the Ozarks and the parish's identity. It features water from Taney County lakes, a hand-drawn silhouette of the Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus, and an exact replica of the cross at the top of the bell tower taken from the iconic photo of Our Lady of the Lake. Four droplets of water appear in the design — three for the Trinity and one for each person, because 'you are the one He loves,' the one the Good Shepherd leaves the flock of 99 to bring home.
- Iconic arched glass windows bookending the worship area
- Water from Taney County lakes
- Hand-drawn silhouette of the Blessed Mother and Child Jesus
- Replica of the bell-tower cross from the iconic photo
- Four droplets — three for the Trinity, one for you
Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
Our Lady of the Lake is one of 66 parishes in the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau, established on August 24, 1956. The diocese covers more than 25,000 square miles across all 39 counties of southern Missouri, serving over 66,000 Catholics through its parishes, missions, chapels, and ordinariate. Its two cathedrals are St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cape Girardeau and the Cathedral of St. Agnes in Springfield.
- Established August 24, 1956
- 66 parishes, 17 missions, 5 chapels, 1 ordinariate
- More than 25,000 square miles across 39 counties
- Cathedral of St. Agnes, Springfield
- St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral, Cape Girardeau
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. James J. McCaffrey1936 dedication
Officially dedicated the parish in 1936 in a former Farmers Bank stone building.
- Bishop William Baum (dedicator, not pastor)1971
Dedicated the new, much larger church on Vaughan Drive.
- Fr. Ernie Marquart1987–1993
Shepherded the parish through Branson's entertainment 'boom' years.
- Msgr. Philip A. Bucherfrom 1993
Came with a 'Vision for the Future' — a house of worship designed for the parish's unique, high-visitor needs.
- Fr. John ('J') F. Friedelpresent
Current pastor; also oversees Our Lady of the Ozarks (Forsyth) and Our Lady of the Cove (Kimberling City).