Australian Church Timeline

  • 1788

    La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first
    Mass within Australian territory
  • 1791

    First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay
  • 1803

    First Official Public Mass
  • 1819

    Father John Therry and Father Phillip Conolly arrive in Sydney as Australians first priests.
  • 1825

    Father John Therryremoved from his role of colonies official Chaplin.
  • 1826

    Father daniel Power lands in Sydney to replace Father Therry
  • 1830

    Father Power dies
  • 1832

    Fr John appointed official Chaplin of Australia
  • 1833

    St Marys Chapel Complete
  • 1845

    Fr John Brady consecrated as bishop of Perth and moves to western Australia
  • 1851

    St Marys Cathedral was renovated, they now have 33 parishes, 30 Churches, 35 Priests
  • 1859

    Father James Quinn becomes the first bishop of Brisbane.
  • 1862

    The NSW government passes bill to abolish state aid to religion
  • 1865

    St Marys Cathedral burns down
  • 1866

    Mary MacKillop and Father Jullian tension found the sisters of St Joseph
  • 1871

    Mary Mackillop was excommunicated because she was accused of making the sisters defient
  • 1872

    Mary MacKillop is allowed back in the church as well as the sisters
  • 1877

    Archbishop Polding Dies
  • 1909

    Mary MacKillop Dies
  • 1911

    They own 189 churches and 25,000 catholic kids are enrolled
  • 1914

    World War 1 is declared
  • 1929

    James Scullin (First Catholic Primeinster)
  • 1940

    Archbishop Michel Kelly dies
  • 1955

    Catholic Schools are overwhelmed
  • 1963

    Pope John dies and mass changes from Latin to English
  • 1971

    336 churches and 115,704 people attending
  • 1976

    Rome declares that Australia is no longer a mission country
  • 1983

    Thousands mourn the death of cardinal freeman
  • 1986

    Pope John Paul goes to Australia for the first time
  • 1988

    Arch Bishop Clancy has created a cardinal
  • 1997

    St Marys is renovated
  • 2005

    Death of Pope John Paul
  • 2008

    Pope Benedict visits Australia