Significant periods in the Church’s history in Australia By MarnieMoon 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 Father Philip Conolly arrive in Sydney as Australia’s first ever priests 1825 Father Therry removed from his role of colony’s official chaplin 1826 Father Daniel Power lands in Sydney to replace Father Therry 1830 Father Power dies 1832 Father John McEcroe appointed official chaplin of Australia 1833 St Mary’s Chapel completed 1845 Father John Brady consecrated as Bishop of Perth - moves from Windsor to Western Australia 1851 St Mary’s Cathedral renovated - Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests 1859 Father James Quinn becomes first Bishop of Brisbane 1862 The NSW Government passes bill to abolish state aid to religion 1865 Fire destroys St Mary’s Cathedral 1866 Mary Mackillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods found the Sisters of St Joseph 1871 Mary Mackillop excommunicated by Bishop of Adelaide because she was thought to incite her sisters to disobedience and defiance 1872 Mary Mackillop is re-communicated into the Church and the sisters permitted to continue their work 1877 Archbishop Polding dies age 85