Mammoth Lakes traces its life back to a goldrush town and legends of the "Lost Cement Mine", at around the turn of the century.

Bishop Nichols visited Bodie in 1901, but not Mammoth. As far as recorded, Fr. F. C. Benson--Bellis, Vicar of Bishop, first held services out-of-doors at Mammoth in July, 1926, on the 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. He recorded that 75 people attended a service at Bridgeport, Mono's County Seat, in November, 1925, and that services would continue "as long as weather permits" on alternate Thursdays. These were apparently the last local services until Fr. John F. Putney became Vicar of Bishop in 1961. In his report for 1967, Fr. Putney tells of 11 Eucharists and 11 Evening Prayer services held in Mammoth, and says there were 12 communicants. Fr. James C. Thompson, Vicar of Bishop from 1969, held Holy Communion services monthly on a Sunday afternoon in the Community Hall, weather permitting. In October, 1975, these had become bi-monthly, but ceased by September, 1976.

In July, 1980, Bishop Rivera appointed Charles Karoly as Lay Vicar, while Fr. Kelley continued to supply priestly services. The Mission began using the new Lutheran Church for services, at a "significant" rental. After a few years of this, and an attempt to get the old building of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, the new St. Joseph's was opened to the use of St. Thomas', rent free. Fr. Karoly was ordained Deacon at Mammoth in July, 1981, and Priest January 30, 1982. Under his leadership, the congregation showed encouraging growth. He chose to be non-stipendiary, earning his living as City Engineer of Taft, until Taft found this arrange-ment inconvenient. Karoly was appointed Engineer for the newly incorporated Town of Mam-moth Lakes several months later. He subsequently found the work load too taxing to continue effectively as Vicar and resigned the position. After a few months the Rev. Milton Holmes from Idaho was appointed Vicar late in 1986.