St. Bernard Church began as a white frame church in 1905 at 61st and Miami Streets. The parish consisted of "town-folk" from Benson and its surrounding farmers. Fr. Harrington, pastor of St. Cecilia's was the first to receive and expend funds on behalf of St. Bernard Church. In 1906, Fr. D.W. Moriarty became our first pastor. In 1912, the white frame church was hoisted on rollers and moved to its present location. Also in 1912, a four-room, red-brick school house was built for the sum of $6,837.00. Sr. Mary Stephen, the first principal, and two others from the Sisters of Mercy Order, came to staff the school. As a result of then-recruiting efforts, 75 children were enrolled in Kindergarten through 8th Grade that first year, each Sister taking three grades.

In July of 1914, our second resident pastor, Fr. Jeremiah Buckley, later to become Msgr. Buckley, came to St. Bernard Church. Due to the growth in the parish, the cornerstone of a new church was laid on the Feast of St. Bernard, August 20,1939. Ten years later, the parish launched another building program. The property across the street from the old red-brick school house was purchased. On August 2, 1950, a new school was dedicated in Omaha.

In June of 1953, Fr. Anthony S. Kluthe, later to become Msgr. Kluthe, became pastor. He soon found that the school, only 3 years old, was not large enough for the growing number of children seeking admission. He, therefore, contracted for construction of an eight room addition which was dedicated in 1955.

A new rectory was completed in 1957. Next came a modern convent (that was built on land purchased west of the school in 1959. In 1971, the convent was sold to the Poor Clare Sisters. In 1965, the school received yet another eight room addition.

In November of 1967, Msgr. Edward McCaslin came to be the new pastor at St. Bernard Church. One of the many accomplishments of Msgr. McCaslin was to begin the Parish Memorial Endowment Fund. Msgr. McCaslin remained at St. Bernard until the time of his death in May of 1984.

Fr. Tom Ward became pastor in 1984. Fr. Roland Peschel was pastor of St. Bernard Church from 1989 until 1997. Fr. Jerome Spenner became pastor in June, 1997.

In the spring of 2001 a Capital Campaign was begun to finance a multiphase renovation of our church.

There are approximately 865 families in the parish today.