History of the Catholic church in Australia By SmillieK01 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 Therry and Philip Connolly arrive in Sydney as Australia's first priest. 1821 The foundation stone of st mary's chapel is laid 1825 Father therry removed from hs role of the colonies official chaplin 1826 Father Daniel Power lands in Sydney 1833 St Mary's Chapel completed 1851 Archdiocese now has 33 parishes 30 churches and 35 priest 1862 The nsw government passes bill to abolish state aid to religion 1866 Mary Mackillop and father julian tenison woods founded the sisters of st Joseph 1871 Mary was excommunicated by the bishop of adelaide 1872 Mary is communicated into the church 1877 Archbishop polding dies at age 85 1911 Archdiocese now has 189 churches and more than 25000 kids are enrolled at the archdiocese schools 1914 Catholics become influential in the Australian labour party. 1929 First australian prime minister 1955 Catholic schools are overwhelmed by the demand 1963 Mass changes from latin to english 1986 Pope john paul visits australia for the first time