Australian Church

By ThompsonN02

  • La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory

  • 1788

    La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first
    Mass within Australian territory
  • Period: to

    Australian Church History

  • 1791

    First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay

  • 1803

    2086 Irish Convicts had been transported to Australia

  • 1803

    First official public mass is held by priest Father Dixon

  • 1820

    The first official priests of Australia, Father John Therry and Father Phillip Conolly arrived in Australia.

  • 1822

    Father Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street Parramatta.

  • 1825

    Father Therry is removed from his role as the colonies official chaplain after being misquoted in the Sydney Gazette.

  • 1828

    Australia's first census is held and reveals that the white population of 36,598 include 25,248 Protestants and 11,236 Catholics.

  • 1829

    Penal laws preventing Catholics holding Government positions ends.

  • 1830

    Father Power dies.

  • 1832

    Father John McEncroe is appointed as official chaplain to the Catholics of Australia.

  • 1833

    St Mary’s Chapel is completed. Father Therry celebrates the first Mass there.

  • 1835

    Bishop Polding arrives in Hobart and a short time later sails to Sydney.

  • 1836

    Bishop Polding takes controls of schools and by 1836 has 13 primary schools in operation. Seven are for boys and six are for girls.

  • 1837

    Governer Bourke reinstates Father Therry as the colony’s official chaplain. Catholic centres are established in Wollongong, Maitland, Parramatta and Windsor.

  • 1838

    Five Sisters of Charity arrive in Sydney with a mission to help the poor and disadvantaged in response to a request from Archbishop Polding for a community of sisters in his colony.

  • 1840

    Transportation of convicts to New South Wales is suspended.

  • 1850

    Father John McEncroe founds the Freeman’s Journal in 1850 continuing the tradition of a weekly informative Catholic newspaper.

  • 1862

    The NSW Government passes the bill to abolish State aid to religion.

  • 1878

    Arrival of the Jesuits in Sydney.

  • 1909

    Death of Mother Mary Mackillop.

  • 1914

    World War 1 is declared

  • 1922

    Formation of the Catholic Teachers Federation.

  • 1950

    Foundation of the Catholic Immigration Office to welcome and assist new immigrants.