Catholic Church In Australia Timeline

By KJDAWAY

  • The First Fleet Arrives

    Arrival of First Fleet at Sydney Cove
    Possibly first Mass was said on Australian soil during this year by Fr. Receveur

  • First Public Mass

    First public mass celebrated by Fr Dixon in Sydney

  • First Official Priests Arrive

    The first official priests, Fr Therry and Fr Conolly, arrive

  • Construction of the First Catholic Church

    Construction of the first Catholic Church as a permanent building at Richmond, Tasmania

  • Australia's First Bishop

    Pope Gregory XVI appoints Fr Bede Polding OSB as Australia's first Catholic bishop