History of the Catholic Church in Australia By SerenaM2006 1788 La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory. 1791 First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay. 1803 First official public mass. 1819 Father John Terry and Father Philip Connolly arrive in Sydney as Australians first ever priest. 1820 Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Conolly, Australia’s first official priests, arrive in Sydney. Fr Therry opens the first Catholic school in Parramatta. 1821 The foundation stone of St Mary’s Chapel is laid by Governor Macquarie and blessed by Fr Therry. 1822 Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta. 1825 Father Terry removed from his role of colonies official chaplain. 1826 Father Daniel Power lands in Sydney to replace Father Terry. 1833 St Mary's chapel completed. 1851 St Mary's cathedral renovated. Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests. 1862 The NSW government passes a bill to abolish state aid to religion. 1866 Mary Mackillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods found the sisters of St Joseph. 1871 Mary Mackillop excommunicated by Bishop of Adelaide because she was thought to incite her sisters to disobedience and defiance. 1872 Mry Mackillop is recommunicated into the church and the sisters permitted to continue their work. 1877 Archbishop polding dies age 85. 1911 Archdiocese now has 189 churches of Sydneys 170,00 catholics more than 25,000 kids are enrolled at archdiocese schools - cardinal moran dies. 1914 World War 1 declared catholics become influential in Australia's labor party. 1929 James Scullin becomes Australia's first catholic prime minister. 1955 Catholic schools are overwhelmed by the demand. 1963 Death of Pope John xxiii mass changes from latin to english. 1986 Pope John Paul visits Australia for the first time.
