In 1865, the first Mass offered for Tracy area Catholics was held in a section house in Ellis, a small settlement located about four miles west of where Tracy now stands. Priests from St. Mary's in Stockton held services until 1878. In 1888, a small frame church with a capacity of less than 100 people was erected at Eighth Street and Central Avenue.

In 1908, Tracy was made a parish by the Archbishop of San Francisco. St. Bernard of Clairvaux was named the Patron Saint of the newly formed Parish. Father T.P. Moran was appointed pastor and with the aid of zealous parishioners built another new church at Eighth and Central in 1911.

As Tracy grew, the need was felt for yet a still larger church. A resolution to build a larger edifice was made in 1947 and work began on the present church site on Eaton Avenue in 1950. Father Thomas F. Fleming, appointed in 1944, was the pastor. The church, now able to seat seven hundred, was dedicated on December 16th, 1951 along with a parish house to accommodate three priests.

Five years later, the parish built the Parochial School and Convent. The Daughters of the Cross, a religious order whose Mother House is in Liege, Belgium, opened the school in 1958 with Grades 1, 2 and 3. In 1960, the all-purpose building was built, with a meeting hall, a large kitchen and an auditorium capable of seating seven hundred. It was named Father Fleming Hall.

The following years saw the church grounds grow into a larger compound accommodating the continued growth of the parish, with a major renovation to the church in 1988 lead by Monsignor Ivo D. Rocha and the development of the parish offices and the new Ministry Center in the mid-1990's.

On November 9, 2007 our parish broke ground on our new campus located on a 20 acre parcel at the corner of Valpico and Corral Hollow Roads. That day marked the beginning of the construction of the Holy Family Center. It is a multi-purpose building that is used as a second location to hold additional Masses. It is also used to hold various functions for our parish and the greater Tracy community. It has a seating capacity for approximately 1200 people. The first Mass was held at sunrise on Easter Sunday in 2009, which marked the 100th anniversary of St. Bernard's Parish.

In 2015, our beloved Pastor, Monsignor Ivo D. Rocha retired and Fr. David Dutra was installed as our new Pastor of St. Bernard’s Parish. Shortly after this our wonderful Daughters of the Cross sisters were called to return home to care for the elderly Sisters.

Fr. Dutra has led our Parish through some good times and difficult times during his tenure. He demonstrated his true leadership and deep faith leading our Parish through the most difficult time of Covid. His leadership led us to our outdoor Masses and confessions during this very trying time so our Parishioners could keep with their faith and still receive the Eucharist. Fr. Dutra also did everything he could and was successful in keeping all of our staff employed when many other places were closing or laying employees off.

Fr. Dutra continues to look towards the future of our Parish in spirituality and growth. He also ensures of the maintaining of the beauty of our grounds at the Parish and Holy Family Center that has been passed down from generation to generation. Over the years since he has been here at St. Bernard’s and through the generosity of parishioners, the Church and school were painted, the school’s roof was replaced, our Adoration Chapel was renovated, solar was installed to help with PG & E costs, Fr. Fleming Hall was refurbished, and additional restrooms were added to the Ministry Center.