About Our Lady of the Lake · Cropwell, Alabama
Our Lady of the Lake is a Catholic parish in Cropwell (Pell City), Alabama, serving the Catholics of St. Clair County since its dedication on August 18, 1970. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Birmingham, is staffed by Father William P. Lucas, two permanent deacons, and a small lay staff, and offers Mass in both English and Spanish each weekend. Beyond the liturgy, the parish runs a robust Religious Education program, a Knights of Columbus council (Council 12270 / Assembly 2972), a Food Assistance Program, Caring Hearts outreach to the sick and bereaved, the 'Our Lady's Beads of Glory' Rosary Guild, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration — making it a busy hub of Catholic life on the shores of Logan Martin Lake.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Lake
- Rector
- Rev. William (Bill) P. Lucas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Birmingham
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Lake is a small, multilingual parish where you can know your neighbors and your priests by name. Father Lucas and two permanent deacons celebrate Mass in both English and Spanish, lead OCIA, marriage prep, funeral planning, and a full calendar of devotions including weekly Eucharastic Adoration, a monthly Holy Hour, the monthly Novena to the Sacred Heart, and the morning Rosary before daily Mass. Parishioners of all ages plug in through Religious Education (PreK3–12), Cursillo, Youth Group, the Knights of Columbus Council 12270, the Rosary Guild, the Music Ministry, and outreach like the Food Assistance Program and Caring Hearts visits to the sick — and the parish is currently welcoming new members for Bible study, Vacation Bible School, and the annual Fall Festival / Trunk-or-Treat.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Lake
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday Eucharistic Adoration 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Holy Hour of Adoration — Third Sunday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
- Holy Hour / Exposición del Santísimo — Second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.
Parish Identity & Welcome
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church — nicknamed 'OLL' — sits at 4609 Martin Street South in Cropwell (Pell City), Alabama, and the parish greets visitors with the bilingual tagline 'All Are Welcome / Todos Son Bienvenidos.' The parish belongs to the Diocese of Birmingham, is led by Pastor Father William P. Lucas alongside Deacons Terrence Rumore and Serge Brazzolotto, and counts Jim Mathis (Director of Religious Education), Charmaine Welch (Music Director), and Shelly Hamman (Parish Secretary) on its lay staff. Office hours are Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., and the parish invites new faces through the bulletin, the Church Notification System (email the office to be added), and a Welcome Package distributed by the Welcoming Ministry.
- Bilingual English/Spanish parish identity
- Diocese of Birmingham parish
- Staff: Pastor, 2 Deacons, DRE, Music Director, Secretary
- Office hours Monday–Thursday 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
History of the Parish
Our Lady of the Lake's origin story stretches back to 1890, when Polish coal miners in St. Clair County gathered for prayer in private homes — a heritage the parish still honors with a painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The modern parish was born in the 1960s as Logan Martin Lake attracted new residents; Archbishop T.J. Toolen approved the new church and for more than two years Mass was offered in the Coosa Valley Telephone Company building in Pell City (from May 7, 1967) thanks to lay benefactress Jean Brandli. The completed church was dedicated on August 18, 1970, with Bishop Joseph G. Vath — first Bishop of Birmingham — concelebrating with founding pastor Father Robert J. Bauler.
- Catholic heritage in St. Clair County traced to 1890
- 1890s Polish coal miner prayer meetings; painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa in the church
- Mission chapel at Coosa Valley Telephone Company, 1967–1970
- Church dedicated August 18, 1970 by Bishop Joseph G. Vath
Growth, Expansion & Recent Milestones
Under Father Matthew Brennan's second tenure (1998–2004) the parish completed a major expansion that grew seating from 150 to 320 and added eight classrooms. Under Father Gregory T. Bittner in the 1990s a stained-glass window and a Marian grotto were added, and in 2000 parishioner Terrance Rumore was ordained a permanent deacon. The COVID-19 pandemic stalled expansion plans begun under Father Lucas, but on Sept. 13, 2021 the parish still marked its 50th anniversary with Bishop Emeritus Robert Baker. In March 2023 Bishop Steven Raica returned to dedicate the new columbarium and to bless a striking new bell tower — both described by the parish as visible signs of St. Clair County's Catholic faith.
- 1999 expansion: seating 150 → 320, eight new classrooms
- Stained-glass window and Marian grotto under Father Bittner
- 50th anniversary, Sept. 13, 2021, with Bishop Emeritus Robert Baker
- Columbarium and bell tower dedicated, March 2023, by Bishop Steven Raica
Pastorate Lineage
Over more than fifty years Our Lady of the Lake has been served by eleven pastors, including Father Matthew Brennan in two separate tenures and a transitional trio of Msgr. Francis J. Wade, Father Kennedy's unexpected 1991 death prompting a brief retired-bishop stewardship. Msgr. Michael Sexton served the parish from July 7, 2007 until his 2018 retirement after more than fifty years of diocesan ministry, and was succeeded by Father William (Bill) P. Lucas, the current pastor.
- Father Robert J. Bauler (1967–1976, founding pastor)
- Father Matthew Brennan (1976; returned 1998–2004)
- Fathers James F. O'Rielly, John Owen, Charles J. Kennedy (+1991)
- Msgr. Francis J. Wade, Father Gregory T. Bittner
- Father Jose Maliekal, M.S.F.S. (2004–2007)
- Msgr. Michael Sexton (2007–2018)
- Father William (Bill) P. Lucas (2018–present)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program serves children from PreK3 through Grade 12, meeting every Sunday after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Directed by Jim Mathis, the program follows a published calendar that includes a parent meeting on opening day, a Living Rosary led by the youth, a Fall Festival / Trunk-or-Treat, an All Saints Day Costume Contest, Safe Environment Training, and an annual Vacation Bible School — 'Rome: Paul and the Early Christians' is set for June 15–18, 2026. Adult faith formation is offered through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the successor to RCIA) and Bible Study.
- PreK3–Grade 12 Religious Education, Sundays after 8:30 a.m. Mass
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults
- Living Rosary, Fall Festival, All Saints Day contests
- VBS 'Rome' — June 15–18, 2026
- Director of Religious Education: Jim Mathis
Parish Ministries & Groups
Our Lady of the Lake runs a broad slate of lay ministries, rooted in the parish's small-staff, many-volunteer character. Liturgical roles include Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Altar Servers, Greeters / Ushers, the Adult and Youth Choirs, and a Sunday Nursery. Devotional and formational groups include the Rosary Guild ('Our Lady's Beads of Glory'), Legion of Mary, Cursillo, and Bible Study. The Knights of Columbus Council 12270 and Assembly 2972 meet on the fourth Monday of the month (Assembly at 6:00/6:30 p.m., Council at 7:00 p.m.).
- Liturgical: EMHCs, Lectors, Altar Servers, Greeters, Music, Nursery
- Devotional: Rosary Guild, Legion of Mary, Cursillo, Bible Study
- Knights of Columbus Council 12270 / Assembly 2972 — 4th Monday
- Youth and Adult Choirs led by Music Director Charmaine Welch
Outreach & Charitable Works
Outreach is a major part of parish life at OLL. The Food Assistance Program is currently accepting applications; Caring Hearts provides meals, rides, and cards to parishioners facing illness or bereavement; and Social Concerns coordinates a Blood Drive, Thanksgiving Food Baskets, a Christmas Angel Tree, and an annual Yard Sale. The Knights of Columbus Assembly 2972 sponsors Wreaths Across America at Saint Clair Memorial Cemetery, collecting wreath sponsors year-round.
- Food Assistance Program (applications open)
- Caring Hearts — meals, rides, and visits for the sick and bereaved
- Thanksgiving Food Baskets, Christmas Angel Tree, Blood Drive, Yard Sale
- Wreaths Across America at Saint Clair Memorial Cemetery
Sacraments & Pastoral Services
Father Lucas and the deacons prepare parishioners for the Church's sacraments. Marriages must be scheduled with the priest at least six months in advance. The parish also provides Funeral Liturgy planning — including downloadable forms and approved USCCB readings — and the parish office is the contact point for Anointing of the Sick and OCIA inquiry for those preparing to enter the Catholic Church.
- Marriage — schedule with priest at least 6 months in advance
- Funeral Liturgy planning (PDF forms + USCCB readings)
- OCIA — adult initiation; RCIA classes historically Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Facility, Staff & Visiting
The parish campus on Martin Street South includes the original 1970 church (substantially expanded in 1999), Brandli Hall — the parish hall named for founding benefactress Jean Brandli — a Religious Education wing with eight classrooms, and the recently added columbarium and bell tower blessed in 2023. The parish office is staffed Monday–Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with Secretary Shelly Hamman; visitors can also reach the office by phone (205-525-5161) or email at [email protected].
- Campus: church, Brandli Hall, Religious Education wing, columbarium, bell tower
- Parish Office: Mon–Thu 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Bulletin and Church Notification System available; 'Catholic Update' and Daily Readings linked on the site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Robert J. Bauler1967–1976
First pastor; also served St. Theresa's, Leeds; celebrated the church's 1970 dedication with Bishop Joseph G. Vath.
- Reverend Matthew Brennan1976–c.1982
Built and dedicated the parish hall, later named Brandli Hall.
- Reverend James F. O'Rielly
Succeeded Father Brennan.
- Reverend John Owenuntil 1988
Retired from the parish in 1988.
- Reverend Charles J. Kennedy1988–1991
Named pastor in 1988; unexpectedly passed away three years later.
- Msgr. Francis J. Wadec.1991–early 1993
Called out of retirement to steady the parish after Father Kennedy's death.
- Reverend Gregory T. Bittner1993–1998
Then Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Birmingham; added a stained-glass window and Marian grotto; oversaw the 25th anniversary.
- Reverend Matthew Brennan (return)1998–2004
Returned to lead a major expansion: seating grew from 150 to 320 with eight new classrooms.
- Reverend Jose Maliekal, M.S.F.S.2004–2007
Reassigned after three years.
- Msgr. Michael Sexton2007–2018
Served the diocese for over 50 years before retiring in 2018.
- Reverend William (Bill) P. Lucas2018–present
Current pastor; led 50th anniversary (2021) and the dedication of a new columbarium and bell tower (2023).