St. Bonaventure was established by Archbishop Brady in 1958. He placed the new parish under the leadership of the Conventual Franciscans, and Fr. Ambrose Finnegan, OFM Conv. was appointed the first pastor. The first Mass was offered in the gymnasium of Cedarcrest Elementary School on February 8, 1959. The community immediately began raising funds to build a church. Finally, on September 10, 1967 the vision became a reality and the light-filled new church was dedicated by Archbishop Binz. St. Bonaventure has a lively musical tradition. The well-known composer Marty Haugen served as music director at St. Bonaventure for nine years—a significant number of liturgical music compositions sung among English-speaking Catholics throughout the world were first heard at St. Bonaventure. The Conventual Franciscans served the community until 2020. At present the community is served by the Priests of the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception (CFIC).