Catholic church

History of the Catholic Church in Australia

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

  • First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay.

  • First official public mass.

  • Father John Terry and Father Philip Connolly arrive in Sydney as Australians first ever priest.

  • Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Conolly, Australia’s first official priests, arrive in Sydney. Fr Therry opens the first Catholic school in Parramatta.

  • The foundation stone of St Mary’s Chapel is laid by Governor Macquarie and blessed by Fr Therry.

  • Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta.

  • Father Terry removed from his role of colonies official chaplain.

  • Father Daniel Power lands in Sydney to replace Father Terry.

  • St Mary's chapel completed.

  • St Mary's cathedral renovated. Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests.

  • The NSW government passes a bill to abolish state aid to religion.

  • Mary Mackillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods found the sisters of St Joseph.

  • Mary Mackillop excommunicated by Bishop of Adelaide because she was thought to incite her sisters to disobedience and defiance.

  • Mry Mackillop is recommunicated into the church and the sisters permitted to continue their work.

  • Archbishop polding dies age 85.

  • Archdiocese now has 189 churches of Sydneys 170,00 catholics more than 25,000 kids are enrolled at archdiocese schools - cardinal moran dies.

  • World War 1 declared catholics become influential in Australia's labor party.

  • James Scullin becomes Australia's first catholic prime minister.

  • Catholic schools are overwhelmed by the demand.

  • Death of Pope John xxiii mass changes from latin to english.

  • Pope John Paul visits Australia for the first time.