As a mission of St. Theresa Church in neighboring Belleview, the prayers and hopes of many for a church facility of their own approached reality when land was purchased along Route 464, in Candler with a vision communities of Silver Spring Shores, Candler, Ocklawaha, and Lake Weir.

On June 15, 1983, Bishop Thomas J. Grady, Diocese of Orlando, commissioned Fr. Sean Shine pastor of the new parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary. Orginially, Sunday Mass was celebrated in the Silver Springs Shores Community Center, and daily Mass in the rectory.

The first building on the site was dedicated by Bishop Grady on January 12, 1986. It was a large edifice which served as a social hall as well as a church. Masses were held on Saturday and Sunday morning.