Significant periods in the Church’s history in Australia By fairsb01 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 The first official public mass 1819 Father John Terry and Father Phillip Conolly arrive in Sydney as Australia's first priests 1821 Foundation stone laid St Mary's Chapel 1821 Mary Mackillop excommunicated by Bishop of Adelade because she was thought to incite her sisters to disobedience and defiance 1825 Father Terry removed from his role as the colonies official chaplin 1826 Father Daniel Power lands in Sydney to replace father Terry 1833 St Mary's Chapel Completed 1851 Archdiocese has 33 Parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests 1862 NSW government passes bill to abolish state aid to religion 1866 Mary Mackillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods founded the sisters of St Joseph 1872 Mary 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 sudneys 170 000 catholics more than 25 000 are enrolled at archdiocese schools 1914 Catholics become influential in Australia's labor party 1929 James Scullin first Australian Catholic 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