Beginning in the 1950's, priests from Waynesville, NC and other surrounding cities, offered Mass in Highlands every other week, meeting in the school auditorium or the Highlands Playhouse. Bishop Vincent Waters of the Diocese of Raleigh purchased our present site on 5th Street and built the initial brinck structure in 1950. the structure included the church an a side living area for visitng priests. Upon completion of the buidlign, the mssion served 35 families year-round and 45 families seasonally.  

In 1972, with the growth of Catholics in North Carolina reaching 70,000 and at the request of Bishop Waters, third bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh, requested a new diocese to encompass western North Carolina. This request was approved by Pope Paul IV and the Diocese of Charlotte was created. 

Between 1986 and 1990, with the growth of Highlands, both full time and seasonal residents, additional facilities were built on the OLM campus. The additions included a rectory (now called Bishop Waters Building), a two-story wing of the church that doubled the seating capacity and provided a lower-level fellowship hall, and a retreat cottage now called Elijah's Cave. The only additions since 1990 is a 21-niche columbarium in 2021. 

Today OLM serves about 275 families, either full-time or seasonal members who attend Mass her for as much as half of the year. In addition, worshippers include numerous visitors and vacationers attracted year-round to our beautiful, peaceful mountain community. 

As the campaign and plans continue, we look forward to our new church building in the near future.