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