Development of the Catholic Church in Australia By mikaelaa. Jan 26, 1788 First Fleet Lands Period: Jan 26, 1788 to Apr 8, 1829 Catholic Church in Australia Period: Jan 26, 1788 to Apr 26, 2016 Catholicism in Australia Apr 8, 1791 Irish Convicts to Botany Bay Apr 8, 1798 Irish Rebellion in England Apr 8, 1800 Fr James Dixon arrives Apr 8, 1803 First public Mass held Apr 8, 1804 Castle Hill Rebellion Apr 8, 1819 Fr Therry and Fr Conolly arrive as first priests Apr 8, 1822 Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta Apr 8, 1828 Australia's first census is held-- 11,236 catholics Apr 8, 1829 laws preventing Catholics holding Government positions ends Apr 8, 1833 St Mary's Chapel is completed Apr 26, 1834 John Bede Polding is ordained as Bishop Apr 26, 1836 Bishop Polding takes control of catholic schools Apr 26, 1909 Death of Mary Mackillop Apr 26, 1942 Catholic Weekly prints its first issue