Church History

By imogen_hill

  • First Catholic Settles in Australia

    First Catholic Settles in Australia
    Catholic settlers in Parramatta petition Governor Phillip for a chaplin.

  • Three Priest arrested in 1798 as part of the Irish rebellion

    Three Priest arrested in 1798 as part of the Irish rebellion
    Fr James Dixon and two other priests arrested as part of the 1798 Irish Rebellion are transported to New South Wales as convicts.This war went on from May to September.

  • The Foundation of St Mary

    The Foundation of St Mary
    The foundation stone of St Mary's Chapel is laid by Governor Macquarie and blessed by Fr Therry. The site is near a barren brickfield and Sydney's convict barracks on land considered undesirable and without value. Father Connolly builds the first Catholic church in Tasmania. 

  • Governor Bourke reinstates Fr Therry as the colony's official chaplain

    Governor Bourke reinstates Fr Therry as the colony's official chaplain
    Governor Bourke reinstates Fr Therry as the colony's official chaplain. Catholic centres are established in Wollongong, Maitland, Parramatta and Windsor St Mary's Seminary opened at Bishop's House. St Patrick's Church at Parramatta is completed.

  • Fr James Quinn to become the first Bishop of Brisbane

    Fr James Quinn to become the first Bishop of Brisbane
    Fr James Quinn is consecrated in Ireland and sails for Australia to become the first Bishop of Brisbane.

  • Fire destroys St Mary's Cathedral

    Fire destroys St Mary's Cathedral
    Fire destroys St Mary's Cathedral. Although much of the edifice is stone, the flames raze the building to the ground. Archdeacon McEncroe begins fundraising efforts for a new cathedral designed by William Wardell, the architect responsible for St John's College at the University of Sydney and St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne.

  • Catholics become influential in the Australian Labor Party

    Catholics become influential in the Australian Labor Party
    World War I declared. Catholics become influential in the Australian Labor Party with the rise of figures such as Ben Chiffley and James Scullin. St Patrick's College seminary at Manly celebrates its Silver Jubilee. An Act of Parliament permits the subdivision of 21 acres of land above Shelly Beach and Fairy Bower to help meet the cost of the college's upkeep.

  • Founding of the Knights of the Southern Cross

    Founding of the Knights of the Southern Cross
    Founding of the Knights of the Southern Cross. Committed to promoting a Christian way of life, the Late Mother Mary MacKillop is appointed patron of the order which is open to Catholic men over the age of 18.

  • First Catholic Prim Minister

    First Catholic Prim Minister
    James Scullin becomes Australia's first Catholic prime minister.