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New jobs, and new workers brought new families, growth and prosperity to Las Vegas. In 1937, Monsignor John Lambe was named the Ninth Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish. With the good news about the Boulder Dam project the Catholic population also began to grow reaching about 800 members by 1938. Many people wanted to build a larger church and a Catholic School for this growing community. Monsignor Lambe is remembered as a prayerful, hardworking pastor with a variety of talents including a great sense of humor. The well liked priest found raising money quite easy and fundraising for the new church was a big success.
The planning for the large, beautiful new church was completed in 1939. The project progressed smoothly and quickly, the Mass of Dedication was offered on October 2, 1940. The Catholic people of Las Vegas were filled with a great sense of accomplishment and gratitude to Almighty God for many blessings. In 1941, David G. Lorenzi, a pioneer of early Las Vegas, designed and constructed the shrine in honor of “Our Lady of Lourdes” next to the sacristy of the new St Joan of Arc Church. Over the years it remains a favorite place for prayerful visits and pictures.
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