Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Loch Lomond
This history of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Loch Lomond is based on the church’s history as presented at the Dedication of the stained-glass windows, the Eulogy of Lilburn Robert Prather, Sr., and the Prather Family
In the late 1800’s a dental surgeon Dr. W.W. Prather and his wife Harriet Herren Prather purchased Adams Springs, a stagecoach stop and resort hotel. Hattie Prather was a devout Catholic. Their son, Lilburn Robert Prather (1895-1962) and six other children were born at Adams Springs.
During the ensuing years, owners and visitors of Adams Springs, Siegler Springs, Hobergs, and other mountain resorts contributed funds toward building a Catholic Church but there was never enough money to begin work.
Before Harriet’s death in 1921, Robert promised his mother that he would build a church in her memory.
In 1935, Robert and his wife Ruth purchased land adjacent to Adams Springs and named it Loch Lomond for the beautiful lake that is now filled with water only in the winter. They developed the subdivision of Loch Lomond, and also sold land to other developers.
About 1950, two carpenters named Pearson arranged to purchase Prather land and to pay for it with their carpentry services. Mr. Prather assigned them to building the church and he donated the land on which the church stands today. The Diocese of San Francisco approved the plans in 1952. The huge beams which support the roof were taken from Prather property and Native Americans were hired to peel the bark from them. Robert and Ruth paid for most of the building materials. Their entire family and many friends hauled materials, including the pink brick, to the building site. After the shell was completed, efforts of the men and women of the community helped to complete the interior with auctions and other fund raisers.
The first Mass was celebrated in the summer of 1953 by Fr. Aidan Colloty, a Franciscan. Late Bishop Guilfoyle officiated at the dedication.
Grandson Donald Vernon Prather, who was married to Sharon Kay Ornellas in 1978, was the first Prather to be married at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.
The proposed placing of stained-glass windows in our church was selected by Dorothy Emerson as the project for her term of office as President of the Women’s Guild. Madeline Strickler, who donated two of the windows, approached Mrs. Emerson with the idea of placing stained glass windows in the church as memorials. Priscilla’s Studio of Fort Bragg designed, created, and installed the windows. Priscilla’s exceptional talent and efforts are very much appreciated and we feel that the stained glass windows have added great warmth and beauty to our church. Dorothy worked closely with the artist for more than a year. The windows were donated by private individuals of the parish.
The Women’s Guild of Our Lady of the Lake and Our Lady of the Pines donated the windows over the entry door with heartfelt appreciation to a wonderful man, Lilburn Robert Prather, Sr., and the Prather family.