-
Australia's First Official Priests
Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Conolly, Australia's first official priests, arrive in Sydney. Fr Therry opens the first Catholic school in Parramatta and lobbies Governor Macquarie for land on which to build the settlement's first Catholic church -
Father Conolly Leaves
Father Conolly leaves for Hobart leaving Fr John Therry the only priest on mainland Australia -
The Foundation Stone Of St Mary's Chapel Is Laid
The foundation stone of St Mary's Chapel is laid by Governor Macquarie and blessed by Fr Therry. The site is near a barren brickfield and Sydney's convict barracks on land considered undesirable and without value. Father Connolly builds the first Catholic church in Tasmania -
Fr Therry Founds The First Catholic School
Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta -
Fr Therry is misquoted in the Sydney Gazette
Fr Therry is misquoted in the Sydney Gazette triggering a furore among the Anglican Establishment. An outraged Governor Macquarie, now Earl of Bathurst removes Therry from his role as the colony's official chaplain. -
St Mary's Chapel Finally Completed
St Mary's Chapel finally completed. Fr Therry celebrates the first Mass there. Fr William Ullalthorne arrives in Sydney to take over as the colony's first Vicar General -
Bishop Polding Arrives
Bishop Polding arrives in Hobart and a short time later sails for Sydney. His Vicariate covers the whole of Australia including Tasmania. The newly-completed St Mary's Chapel is consecrated as St Mary's Cathedral. -
St Mary's Cathedral Is Modified
St Mary's Cathedral is modified to the designs of renowned British architect, Augustus Pugin. The Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests who minister to 55,000 Catholics, most of whom are either Irish born or of Irish descent. In addition according to a report sent to Rome, the Archdiocese has about 50 monks, nuns and religious students -
St Mary's Cathedral burns down
The temporary structure that serves as St Mary's Cathedral burns down but construction on the third and permanent St Mary's is now well underway -
Mother Mary MacKillop Excommunicated
Mother Mary MacKillop excommunicated by Laurence Sheil, Bishop of Adelaide who alleges she incites her sisters to disobedience and defiance. -
Death Of Mother Mary MacKillop
Death of Mother Mary MacKillop -
Cardinal Moran Dies
Cardinal Moran dies and is succeeded by Archbishop Kelly. The Archdiocese now has 189 churches, eight hospitals and three seminaries. Of Sydney's 175,000 Catholics, more than 25,000 children are enrolled at Archdiocese schools. -
The International Eucharistic Congress
The International Eucharistic Congress is held in Sydney under Archbishop Kelly with Cardinal Ceretti appointed the delegate for Pope Pius XI. The nave of St Mary's Cathedral is finished and bar its spires, the Cathedral is now virtually complete -
Catholic Weekly Prints Its First Issue
Catholic Weekly prints its first issue -
Death Of Pope John XXIII
Death of Pope John XXIII who is succeeded by Pope Paul VI. The Second Vatican Council commences and appoints Cardinal Gilroy to the Council of Presidency. The Mass changes from Latin to English -
Pope Paul VI Makes The First-Ever Papal Visit To Australia
Pope Paul VI makes the first-ever Papal visit to Australia -
Restoration Of The St Mary's Cathedral Begins.
Restoration of the St Mary's Cathedral begins. -
The Two Spires Of St Mary's Cathedral Are Finally Completed
The two spires of St Mary's Cathedral are finally completed
