Gracing and graced by the Bazetta/Cortland communities and surrounding area is St. Robert Bellarmine Church.  Established in 1952 by the Diocese of Youngstown as a mission on 30 acres of land the Diocese purchased, this parish has grown from a beginning of around 30 families to 500 families today.  Just as our church has grown, so have these communities.

When the area was first settled, there were very few Catholics in this locale.  It was around 1910 when more Catholics began to settle here with the nearest Catholic Church being in Warren, making it difficult for Catholics to get to Mass.  Even after the coming of cars and better roads, travel was not always easy.

Isobel Teachout Williams wrote to Bishop Walsh, Bishop of Youngstown, asking for a priest to serve the 30 Catholic families in and around Cortland.  Bishop Walsh responded.  Rev. Robert O’Dea, who was serving as Vice Officialis of the Diocesan Tribunal of Youngstown, agreed to say Mass for the families in Cortland.  On May 4, 1952, the first meeting with Fr. O’Dea was held at the Williams home.  Some of the charter members of this meeting were the Teachouts, Kachurs, Urcheks, Cullivans, Thampsons, Mobleys, Lances, Pruceys, and Kanes.  On May 18, 1952, the first Mass was held in the Cortland Theatre (now the Sparkle Market). There were 88 adults and 22 children.  Through the generosity of Mr. Ramsey, manager of the theater, St. Roberts was to have use of that building until the church was built.