The Parish Family of St. Robert was founded on June 18, 1971 by direction of Bishop George Ahr with Father Thomas Dentici as founding Pastor. Joining him were Father Leo Kelty as Associate Pastor and Father Benedict Lindner in residence. From 1971 to 1975, weekend masses were held in various Freehold Township elementary schools. Religious education classes were conducted in private homes, a practice continued through the 1980s.
A Parish Center was dedicated in 1975 at its current site on Georgia Road. From 1972 to the mid 1980s, Sisters of Mercy provided a variety of services to the Parish. With the departure of Monsignor Dentici in 1978, the Parish opted to implement a co-pastorate with Fathers Frank Kaspar and John Butler sharing pastoral duties.
This form of Parish administration was dissolved with the arrival of Fr. John Ryan as the new Pastor in August of 1979. Fr. John Kielb served as the associate. Robert Wosniak was installed as Pastor and Fr. John Muthig took up residence. Fr. Thomas O'Connor, assumed his duties in 1988.
In 1997, Most Reverend John M. Smith dedicated 17 classrooms for the children of the religious education program of Saint Robert Bellarmine.
On December 7, 2002, the Most Reverend John M. Smith dedicated the new church of the Church of Saint Robert Bellarmine. The church was built to meet the future needs of the parish, with capability to seat over 1200 people. The project was conducted under the leadership of master architect, Vincent S. Riggi of VS Riggi Architects, Dunmore, PA.
Historical Timeline
1971 Parish Formed (September 18)
1973 Parish Council Formed
1975 Blessing and dedication of the Parish Center (September 14)
1977 Ordination of the first permanent deacon, Deacon Anthony Sanseviere
1978 Signing of ecumenical accord between St. Robert's and Hope Lutheran Church of Freehold
1979 Lay ministry of the Eucharist for visitation of the sick at Freehold Hospital and for the home-bound is established
1985 Process of Renew is initiated
1991 Parish debt is retired
1994 Religious Education classes (CCD) conducted at St. Rosa of Lima
1997 Completion of classrooms for Religious Education
2002 Dedication of New Church (December 7)
2013 Completion of Priest Residence on 61 Georgia Rd. campus
2017 Elevation to Co-Cathedral