A horse farm occupied the 14 acres of land where St. Robert’s complex now stands. As the population of Omaha was expanding at the western edge of the city during the 1960’s, Archbishop Gerald T. Bergen and Chancellor and Bishop Daniel E. Sheehan deemed that a new parish was necessary.
On June 9, 1966, Fr. Eugene H. Kerwin became pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. The first parish Mass was celebrated ten days later in the gymnasium at nearby Crestridge School. A house on Leavenworth Street was purchased in July for a rectory. Daily Mass was offered in a basement chapel, and the first census counted 425 registered families.
Groundbreaking for our new building followed on May 13 (then the feast day of St. Robert Bellarmine). Mass was celebrated in the new temporary church for the first time on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1968. St. Robert Bellarmine School officially opened on September 3, 1968 with Sister Dolotita Reandeau O.S.F. as principal. Dedication of the facility took place on October 20, 1968.
Fr. Kerwin retired in 1997, and Msgr. Blasé J. Cupich was appointed as second pastor on June 25, 1997. However, his evident gifts of shepherding and administration soon resulted in his appointment as Bishop of Rapid City on July 6, 1998.Fr. Donald W. Shane was installed as St. Robert’s third pastor on September 13, 1998. His parents had been founding members of St. Robert’s and his priestly ordination on September 13, 1969 had been a first for the parish.
Through the generosity of a parish family, a major renovation of the church and adjoining complex began with ground breaking on May 27, 2000. The James T. Mainelli Parish Center was constructed as well as several new meeting rooms, new office space, school remodeling, and a new gym. Church renovation included a new pipe organ, new pews and décor, and a welcoming narthex. Additionally, a beautiful Adoration Chapel was built through generous gift from another parish family.
In June 2012, Fr. Steven Stillmunks was installed as the fourth pastor at St. Robert's. He was warmly welcomed as our new shepherd in the faith of the parish. Fr. Stillmunks retired in 2021 and Fr. Dave Reeson was installed as the fifth pastor. Fr. Reeson has been welcomed to the parish with open arms.
Sadly and unexpectedly, Fr. Dave passed away on June 15, 2024. He will be greatly missed. In October 2024, Fr. Ryan Lewis was assigned to St. Robert's and became its 6th pastor. He was welcomed with great joy.
History of Pastors & Assistant Pastors at St. Robert Bellarmine
PASTORS
| †Msgr. Eugene Kerwin | 6/9/1966 | 6/25/1997 |
| His Eminence Blase Cardinal Cupich | 6/25/1997 | 9/21/1998 |
| Rev. Donald W. Shane | 8/13/1998 | 6/21/2012 |
| Rev. Steven J. Stillmunks | 6/21/2012 | 7/1/2021 |
| †Rev. David G. Reeson | 7/1/2021 | 6/16/2024 |
| Rev. Mark J. McKercher | 6/17/2024 | 9/30/2024 |
| Rev. Ryan P. Lewis | 10/1/2024 | present |
ASSISTANT PASTORS
| †Rev. Anthony Tresnak | 6/13/1968 | 6/12/1969 |
| †Rev. Wayne Schlautman | 6/12/1969 | 7/24/1970 |
| †Mr. Terrence Finney | 7/1/1970 | 6/14/1973 |
| †Mr. James Orwig | 6/14/1973 | 6/12/1974 |
| †Rev. Theodore Richling | 6/12/1974 | 6/17/1976 |
| Rev. Carl Salanitro | 6/17/1976 | 6/17/1981 |
| Mr. Emil Belsky | 6/17/1981 | 6/13/1985 |
| Rev. Rodney Kneifl | 6/13/1985 | 6/16/1988 |
| Rev. Matthew Gutowski | 6/9/1988 | 6/13/1991 |
| Rev. Patrick Harrison | 6/8/1991 | 6/16/1994 |
| Rev. Dennis DeGuzman | 6/16/1994 | 6/25/1997 |
| Rev. John Andrews | 6/25/1997 | 6/15/2000 |
| Rev. Mario Rapose | 6/15/2000 | 6/17/2004 |
| Rev. Damien Wee | 6/17/2004 | 6/21/2007 |
| Rev. Marc Lim | 6/21/2007 | 6/24/2010 |
| Rev. Michael B. Voithofer | 6/24/2010 | 7/1/2014 |
| Rev. Andrew J. Roza | 7/1/2014 | 7/1/2015 |
| Rev. Jeremy J. Hans | 7/1/2015 | 7/1/2017 |
| Rev. Nicholas A. Mishek | 7/1/2017 | 9/25/2017 |
| Rev. Mark J. McKercher | 7/1/2018 | 6/16/2024 |
| Rev. Mark J. McKercher | 10/1/2024 | present |
| Rev. Michael Gutgsell | June 1981 | 7/1/2000 |
| Rev. Gerald Melchior | 2000 | 2001 |
| †Rev. Daniel Keller | 1/1/2008 | 3/8/2010 |
| Rev. Harry Buse | 7/1/2021 | 12/1/2025 |