History of Catholic Church in Australia

Southland of the Holy Spirit

1606

Discovery of Christian religion by Spanish naval captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros c

Captain Cook

1770

Explores Australia’s east coast

First Fleet

1778

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

Foundation of Christian Brothers

1802

By Edmund Ignatius Rice, Ireland

First public Mass

1803

Said by Fr. Dixon

The first official priests arrive

1820

Frs. Therry and Conolly

Construction of first Catholic church

1821

At Richmond, Tasmania

Tasmania established as a separate colony from NSW

1825

Fr. Ullathorne arrives in Sydney

1833

As Vicar-General

Bede Polding becomes Australia’s first Catholic bishop

1835

Arrival of Caroline Chisholm in Australia

1838

The Catholic Church in Australia is divided

1848

into provinces and dioceses

Establishment of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Australia

1854

Mercy Sisters

1861

Arrive in Queensland

Christian Brothers

1868

Arrive in Melbourne

First permanent St. Vincent de Paul Society

1881

established in Australia

St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne opened

1893

Run by Sisters of Charity

Death of Mary McKillop

1909

Archbishop James Robert Knox

1967

appointed Archbishop of Melbourne