History of the Church in Australia

By delaneyz01

  • La Perouse enters Botany Bay

    His chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory

  • First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay

  • First official public mass

  • Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Conolly

    Australia’s first official priests arrive in Sydney

  • Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school

    In Parramatta

  • Australia's first census is held

    Reveals a white population of 36 598 which includes both free settlers and convicts. Among these 25 248 are protestants and 11 236 are Catholics

  • Penal laws preventing Catholics holding government positions ends

  • St Mary’s Chapel finally completed

  • Five sisters of Charity arrive in Sydney

    With a mission to help the poor and disadvantaged

  • The sisters of Charity establish St Vincent’s Hospital

    In Sydney

  • Fire destroys St Mary’s Cathedral

  • Mary MacKillop becomes the first Sister

    And Mother Superior of the Sisters of Joseph

  • NSW Catholic Bishops issue a Joint Pastoral Letter

    Stating that Catholics must send their children to Catholic schools unless given special permission by their parish priest

  • First St Vincent de Paul Society established in Sydney

  • The Archdiocese now has 189 churches

    And 8 hospitals

  • Formation of the Catholic Teachers’ Federation

  • James Scullin

    Becomes Australia’s first Catholic prime minister

  • The Archdiocese of Sydney has 366 Catholic Schools