The Roman Catholic Church of St. Roch was founded on November 26, 1899, by Rev. John Milo, assisted by Father Ignatius Cirelli. At the time, there were no definite parish limits. The first church, a frame building with seats for 500, and the rectory were on 150th Street near Robbins Avenue. On April 10, 1932, the cornerstone was laid for the present church by the Very Rev. Mgr. Patrick N. Breslin, dean of the Catholic clergy of the Bronx. A bell weighing 1,000 pounds was also blessed. Anthony J. DePace, an architect who worked closely with the Archdiocese, designed the building.