Prior to the construction of Our Lady of the Lakes Church, Salem, Oakdale and Bozrah were mission territories of our Diocese. During winter months, residents attended Masses at Saint John the Evangelist Church, Uncasville, Saint Andrew Church, Colcheser and Saint John's Chapel in Bozrah. In the forties and fifties, Masses were held in the Gardner Lake Dance Hall in Salem. In 1958, Edward Doyle purchased and renovated a vacant Protestant church on Route 82 donating it to the Diocese in memory of his father. The Saint Edward Chapel was used for several summers.

Early in 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dabroski donated fourteen acres of land on Route 82 and ground was broken in June for our church situated between Gardner Lake and Oxoboxo Lake, named: "Our Lady of the Lakes." Bishop Vincent J. Hines established Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, September 1, 1966.

On October 3, Father John White was welcomed as pastor. The church was divided with a drapery -one side the hall and the other a chapel. In November the church basement was renovated into the hall. In June of 1967 ground was broken for the rectory. Father Richard Archambault was a priest in residence. In June 1971 Father White was transferred; Father Daniel F. Byrne became our second pastor.

Father Archambault was transferred in December 1972 to Saint Patrick's Church, Mystic. Father Byrne retired in February, 1975 and Father Henry Archambault served as interim pastor until Father Robert B. Lynch's appointment as third pastor. Bishop Daniel A. Reilly made his first official visit, May 29, 1976. During this time Father William Schneider was a priest in residence.

A concelebrated Mass on October 3, 1976 marked the Tenth Anniversary of Our Lady of the Lakes Church. In August 1979, Sister Theresita Donach, CSFN, became Pastoral Associate succeeded in 1984 by Sister Jude Carroll, CSFN. Albert A. Ciccone was ordained on December 3, 1982 by Bishop Reilly as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese assigned to our parish. Deacon Al is now deceased after a lengthy illness. Father Lynch was transferred in May 1985 and Fathers Schneider and O'Keefe served as administrators. Father Michael J. Gill was appointed our fourth pastor in July 1985. Father John P. Wilmot served as assistant from April 1987 until August 1990.

A major Church renovation was held beginning January 1991. Upon completion a Rededication Mass was celebrated by Bishop Reilly on August 26, 1993. In May 1995 Bishop Hart made his first official visit to our parish. On November 1, 1998 Father Gill was transferred to Saint John the Apostle Church.

We acknowledge with appreciation the Franciscan Capuchin Fathers who assisted in our parish from 1960 -1999.

Father Mark Masnicki was named our fifth pastor on February 23, 1999 by Bishop Hart. Effective June 18, 2003 Bishop Cote appointed Father Mark pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. Reverend Anthony Gruber was Administrator from June 19, 2003 to October 1, 2003 when Reverend Walter M. Nagle became Administrator. Father Nagle was appointed Pastor on October 1, 2004.

In September/October 2006 a Parking Lot Expansion increased parking spaces from 88 to 144. Lighting fixtures and plantings completed the project. A Fundraiser Dinner with Live and Silent Auctions was held at The Water's Edge Resort.

On June 9, 2007 Mr. William T. Herrmann was ordained a Permanent Deacon by Bishop Cote in the Diocese of Norwich and assigned to serve as a Deacon in our Parish.

Our Lady of the Lakes Parish continues its undertaking in "Building the Body of Christ" in our Parish Community.