History of the Catholic Church

First Catholic School

1845

Mary and Michael, established the first Catholic School entirely funded by money from Local Catholic Settlers.

First Permanent Church, St Stephens

1850

The settlement had its first permanent church, St Stephens. 10 years later St Stephens was proclaimed the Cathedral of the diocese, after formally separating to be known as the colony of Queensland.

First Catholic High School, All Hallows

1861

Bishop James Quinn, 5 priests and 6 Irish Sisters of Mercy made their way to Brisbane aboard the Yarra era. James Quinn was surprised by the poverty of the largely Irish population. Mother Vincent Witty and the Sisters of Mercy, established the first Catholic High School All Hallows.

St James School for Boys

1868

The St James School for boys was established entirely by lay teachers. It was a unique school with both Religious and Lay student teachers receiving training before and after school. Also working as classes apprentices during the day, it would be almost 100 years until a dedicated teachers training college.

Irish Catholic and English Protestants

1870

This year was a time of growth, for the Irish Catholic and the English Protestants. This is what made the rule to keep Church and Sate separate. Laws were passed to provide free, compulsory and secular education for children. The horrors and destruction from world war 1 had big implications on Catholic Education,

28 new Schools established by James Jewick

1919

Arch Bishop James Jewick, could see the growing need for Catholic schooling. He invested in large tracks of land around Brisbane and by 1930 he had established 28 new schools.

During the Great Depression

1945

During the great depression Catholic Education was struggling with a lack of teachers, growing class sizes and economic challenges.19 new schools were open besides the bleak outlook. Brisbane Catholic Education grew so mush that its the one that we know today.

Father Bernard O'Shea Renamed his role

1948

In 1943 Father Bernard O'Shea was appointed diocesan inspector , this was carried on in 1948. He renamed this role and it is now called Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, he would become instrumental in leading them through the transformation of Catholic Education in Brisbane.

Our Lady of Mercy Prep School

1960

Health Inspectors Demanded that 3 additional toilets be installed at Our Lady of Mercy Prep School. Goldman's Bishop, John Cullinane said that there was no money. So then he called a meeting of Catholic Parents who voted to strike, this resulted in 1000 students descending on the local state school. After this political parties started to reconsider state aid to non state schools, within 12 months the federal government started providing grants to Catholic Schools.

Mcauley College

1973

Mcauley College let lay teachers work at their school because Catholic Schools had become more reliant on laid leadership and staff. The second Vatican Council saw new educational approaches which would see this decade closed with 43 thousand students enrolled and 113 schools across the archdiocese. The Catholic taxpayers association had lobbied since the 1930's and with information of the Queensland Federation, of parents and friends in 1962.

The Rudd Governments 2007 Promise

2007

The innovation with world-class facilities and access to technology after a significant growth, from the Rudd governments 2007 promise of one-to-one technology.This includes the 2008 economic stimulus building education revolution