Significant periods in the Church’s history

By one-up-rhythm
  • 1788

    1788

    La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first
    Mass within Australian territory
  • 1791

    1791

    First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay
  • 1803

    1803

    First official public mass
  • 1819

    1819

    Father john terry and father Philip Connolly arrive in Sydney as Australian first-ever priest
  • 1821

    1821

    The first k, stone was laid for st marys chapel
  • 1825

    1825

    Father terry removed from his official role

  • 1826

    Father daniel power lands in Sydney to replace father terry
  • 1833

    1833

    Saint marys chapel completed
  • 1851

    1851

    St marys cathedral renovated archdiocese now has 33 parishes 30 churches and 35 priests
  • 1862

    1862

    The NSW government passes bill to abolish state aid to religion
  • 1866

    1866

    Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison woods found the sisters of st joseph
  • 1871

    1871

    Mary MacKillop was excommunicated by the bishop of Adelaide because she was thought to incite her sisters to disobedient and defiance
  • 1872

    1872

    Mary MacKillop is recommunicated into the church and the sisters are permitted to continue their work
  • 1877

    1877

    Archbishop polding dies at age 85

  • 1911

    Archdiocese now has 189 churches of Sydney 170000 Catholics more than 25000 kids are enrolled at archdioceses schools
  • 1914

    1914

    Catholics become influential in the Australian labour party
  • 1929

    1929

    James Scullin becomes Australia first catholic prime minister
  • 1955

    1955

    Catholic schools are overwhelmed by the demand
  • 1963

    1963

    Death of the pope john xxii
  • 1986

    1986

    Pope john paul visits Australia for the first time